7 Best SMTP Servers for Email Marketing in 2025

Email marketing is a digital marketing strategy that involves sending targeted emails to a group of recipients with the aim of promoting products, services, or building relationships with potential and existing customers. It is an important tool because it allows businesses to reach a large audience directly, at a relatively low cost, with personalized and timely messages. By engaging customers through email, companies can drive sales, improve customer loyalty, and increase brand awareness.

However, choosing the right SMTP server is crucial for ensuring reliable email delivery, high deliverability rates, and security. In this article, we’ll explore seven top SMTP servers that can help you manage your email marketing campaigns effectively.

Here is our list of the top email marketing platforms:

Elastic Email – EDITOR'S CHOICE An email marketing platform that combines creativity and technical functionality.
Ongage Emphasizes ease of migration, robust email sending capabilities, and data flexibility.
mySMTP Designed to handle high-volume email sending, with features tailored to ensure deliverability
SendPulse A dynamic email marketing platform that offers a robust suite of tools
Mailjet Offers a user-friendly interface and real-time analytics.
SendGrid A scalable solution that offers both transactional and marketing email capabilities.
SMTP.com Provides robust infrastructure for transactional and marketing emails with excellent analytics.

The Best SMTP Servers for Email Marketing

Our methodology for selecting the best SMTP servers for email marketing

The methodology we used in selecting the top SMTP servers for email marketing involved evaluating key factors that directly impact usability, performance, and value. This included analyzing features such as deliverability rates, scalability, and integration options. User-friendliness, security measures like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC support, and reputation-building tools were also considered, ensuring compliance and effective email campaigns.

Customer support quality, pricing plans, and unique offerings, such as analytics tools, automation capabilities, and free-tier availability, were also considered. Reviews and feedback from real users provided insights into reliability and user satisfaction. This ensured the selected platforms cater to businesses of varying sizes and objectives, from startups to large enterprises.

1. Elastic Email

Elastic Email is one of the leading SMTP server and email marketing platforms. It combines creativity and technical functionality to help businesses of all sizes build meaningful connections with their audiences. Its suite of tools is designed to cater to users of all expertise levels, with intuitive interfaces for beginners and advanced customization options for seasoned marketers.

Key Features:

Email Designer and Template Gallery: Provides tools for creating stunning emails with Elastic Email’s drag-and-drop editor or craft custom designs with HTML.
AI Writing Assistant: Generate engaging email content effortlessly with AI-powered tools. This makes it easy to capture your audience's attention.
Advanced Campaign Tools: The platform offers A/B testing, real-time delivery tracking, and detailed activity reports to optimize email campaigns.
Email Automation: Visualize workflows, set triggers, and automate customer journeys with advanced scenarios for targeted communication.
Audience Growth Tools: Use subscription forms and landing pages to convert visitors into subscribers while ensuring GDPR compliance and data security with double opt-in and reCAPTCHA.
API and SMTP Integration: Elastic Email’s quick setup, detailed documentation, and secure credentials make it easy to integrate with online stores, apps, and third-party tools.

Why do we recommend it?

We recommend Elastic Email for its intuitive drag-and-drop email designer, extensive library of customizable templates, AI writing assistant for content creation. This ensures that your messages are both engaging and impactful. The integration of real-time reporting, advanced campaign tools, and automation workflows allows users to optimize email performance and deliver personalized experiences.

Who is it recommended for?

Elastic Email is great for small to medium-sized businesses, startups, marketers looking to grow their audience and maintain strong customer relationships, and individuals who want a cost-effective, all-in-one tool for email marketing solution. Developers and tech-savvy users will appreciate the platform’s easy API and SMTP setup, detailed documentation, and secure credential management.

Pros:

Ease of Use: The intuitive drag-and-drop designer and AI writing assistant make it user-friendly.
Powerful Automation: Advanced workflows and triggers simplify email campaign management.
Comprehensive Analytics: Real-time reporting and detailed activity logs provide actionable insights.
Audience Management: Custom fields and segmentation enhance personalization and engagement.
Integration Options: Easy API and SMTP setup make it versatile for transactional and marketing emails.

Cons:

Advanced Features in Pro Plan: Some features, like reCAPTCHA and detailed segmentation, are limited to the Pro plan.
Learning Curve for Complex Campaigns: While intuitive, creating advanced automation may require a learning period for new users.

2. Ongage

Founded in 2011, Ongage entered the market with the mission of revolutionizing email marketing. At a time when migrating data between platforms felt like navigating an asteroid field, Ongage set out to create a platform that emphasized ease of migration, robust email sending capabilities, and data flexibility. Today, it is one of the leading email marketing solutions that empowers businesses to drive growth through personalized, data-driven campaigns.

Key Features:

Data-Driven Personalization and Segmentation: Provides tools for marketers to create dynamic segmentation based on customer intent and other data-driven criteria to deliver highly personalized emails.
Automated Real-Time Emails: Send triggered emails that guide audiences toward conversion goals based on their actions.
SMTP Relay and MTA Flexibility: Use the built-in Ongage SMTP or connect your existing SMTP/MTA.
Integration Options: Sync CRM, CDP, and data warehouses with Ongage via its Email API. This enables real-time optimization of campaigns based on the latest data.
SMS Integration: Combine email campaigns with personalized SMS messaging for greater reach and impact.

Why do we recommend it?

Ongage is an excellent choice as an SMTP server for email marketing due to its flexibility, robust deliverability tools, and integration capabilities. It supports both its built-in SMTP relay and third-party SMTP or MTA connections, giving businesses the freedom to tailor their email sending infrastructure to their specific needs.

Who is it recommended for?

Ongage is recommended for mid-sized to large businesses and organizations that need advanced email marketing capabilities and scalable solutions. It’s a strong fit for marketers who want to drive growth and engagement through data-driven email campaigns and real-time data synchronization.

Pros:

Ease of Migration: Streamlined processes for switching between platforms eliminate traditional migration headaches.
Personalization & Segmentation: Enables hyper-targeted campaigns for higher engagement and conversion rates.
Flexible Sending Options: The ability to integrate with multiple SMTPs or use Ongage’s built-in solution offers businesses great versatility.
Robust Analytics: Intuitive dashboards and actionable metrics provide clear insights to improve campaign performance.
Comprehensive Security: Hotmark ensures robust data protection against internal and external threats.
Multichannel Communication: Supports email and SMS integration for a holistic marketing approach.

Cons:

Learning Curve: While the platform offers many features, mastering its advanced tools may take time for new users.
Feature Overload for Small Teams: Smaller organizations might not need the extensive capabilities offered by Ongage.

3. mySMTP

Since its inception in 2007, mySMTP has grown into a trusted provider of email delivery solutions. For businesses aiming to maximize their email marketing efforts, a dedicated mySMTP server offers a powerful and scalable solution. The mySMTP solution is designed to handle high-volume email sending, with features tailored to ensure deliverability and maintain data accuracy.

Key Features:

SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Authentication: mySMTP ensures email authenticity and security by helping users verify sending domains with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.
Dedicated IP Addresses: Users can send emails through their own dedicated IP, building and maintaining a strong sender reputation.
Warm-Up Plans: Tailored warm-up strategies for B2B and B2C campaigns help ensure that emails reach the inbox, optimizing sender reputation from the start.
Comprehensive Analytics: User dashboards offer detailed logs and statistics for monitoring email activity and performance.
Reputation Monitoring: mySMTP’s RepHero team provides expert assistance in monitoring sender reputation, and addressing issues with blacklists, and navigating spam filters to maintain high deliverability rates.

Why do we recommend it?

mySMTP’s dedicated IP offering, scalable infrastructure, and focus on deliverability make it ideal for managing high-volume email campaigns. The platform’s expertise in reputation monitoring, warm-up strategies, and adherence to best practices ensures that emails consistently reach the inbox.

Who is it recommended for?

mySMTP is beneficial for organizations with technical teams or email marketing professionals who can integrate the service with their preferred frontend tools. For businesses that prioritize deliverability and control over sender reputation, mySMTP offers a dependable and effective solution.

Pros:

Quick Setup and Reliable Support: Servers are set up within 5 minutes, and the mySMTP team provides ongoing support, including onboarding, certifications, and warm-up plans.
Strong Deliverability: Focuses on reputation management through dedicated IPs and strict adherence to updated email authentication protocols.
Scalable and Flexible: Suitable for businesses of all sizes, with the ability to scale resources as needed.
Expert Support: Expert assistance available for onboarding, certifications, and ongoing deliverability needs.

Cons:

Cost of Dedicated IPs: Smaller businesses or those with lower email volumes might find the cost of a dedicated IP less economical.
Dependency on External Frontends: Users require separate frontend software for content creation and list management, as mySMTP focuses solely on email delivery infrastructure.

4. SendPulse

SendPulse is a dynamic email marketing platform designed to help businesses grow, manage teams of any size, and build their online presence effectively. It offers a robust suite of tools, including a user-friendly drag-and-drop email builder with over 130 customizable templates, advanced automation features, and powerful audience segmentation for targeted communication.

Key Features:

Multi-Channel Communication: SendPulse o platform integrates email, SMS, web push notifications, and chatbots, to allow marketers to interact with their audience through their preferred channels.
Email Automation with Automation 360: Automation 360 enables users to set up email campaigns triggered by user actions, such as welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, or special offers.
Analytics and A/B Testing: Built-in analytics tools and A/B testing capabilities help users refine their campaigns by evaluating open rates, click-through rates, and other key metrics.
Audience Segmentation and Personalization: Tags and dynamic data allow segmentation based on demographics, behavior, or preferences.
24/7 Multilingual Support; The platform provides round-the-clock support in five languages, complemented by a detailed knowledge base, blog, and SendPulse Academy for educational resources.

Why do we recommend it?

We recommend SendPulse for its ability to integrate multiple communication channels, ensure seamless user experiences and maximize conversion rates. The robust automation tools, coupled with data-driven insights, make it ideal for crafting personalized and effective email campaigns.

Who is it recommended for?

With its user-centric features, flexibility, and robust support, SendPulse is a reliable choice for email marketers aiming to enhance their campaigns and build meaningful customer connections.

Pros:

All-in-One Solution: Combines email marketing with CRM, chatbots, and SMS for holistic customer engagement.
User-Friendly Interface: The drag-and-drop builder and pre-designed templates simplify campaign creation.
Automation and Personalization: Advanced automation workflows and personalized communication boost engagement.
Free Plan: Up to 15,000 emails per month for free, making it accessible for startups and small businesses.
Mobile App: Enables campaign management on the go.

Cons:

Learning Curve: Beginners may need time to explore and utilize the full range of tools and features.
Pricing for Advanced Features: While the free plan is generous, premium features like advanced segmentation or higher sending volumes require paid plans.

5. MailJet

Mailjet is a cloud-based SMTP server that is recognized for its ability to deliver both marketing and transactional emails efficiently. It was founded in 2010 in Paris, France. With a user-friendly interface and a strong set of features, Mailjet has become one of the top email marketing platforms for businesses looking to manage their email communication at scale.

Key Features:

AI Copy Generator: The AI-powered tool helps automate email content creation, improving both the efficiency and quality of emails while saving time for businesses.
Drag-and-Drop Email Editor: Mailjet’s drag-and-drop email editor allows users of any skill level to design responsive emails and forms quickly.
Automation: Automate emails like welcome messages, onboarding emails, and date-based communications to save time and engage with subscribers at crucial moments in their journey.
A/B Testing: Run A/B tests on various elements such as subject lines, visuals, and sender names to optimize email performance and improve engagement rates.
Real-Time Analytics: Track email deliverability, customer engagement, and campaign performance in real-time.
Third-Party Integrations: Mailjet supports seamless integration with a variety of third-party tools, including CRM, CMS, and ecommerce platforms.

Why do we recommend it?

We recommend Mailjet as an email marketing platform because of its impressive Inbox Preview tool, which shows how emails will appear across various email clients like Gmail, Apple Mail, and Outlook. With powerful automation tools, businesses can set up workflows for welcome emails, contact anniversaries, and more. Its contact management system integrates effortlessly with your CRM, and filters out unsubscribes and errors. Advanced A/B testing capabilities take the guesswork out of optimization by providing actionable data for improving email performance. Users can also leverage dynamic content to tailor emails to specific audience segments, thereby increasing engagement.

Who is it recommended for?

Mailjet is an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses, startups, and teams seeking a robust, secure, and user-friendly email marketing solution. Whether you’re running simple campaigns or managing advanced automation workflows, Mailjet provides the tools you need to connect with your audience effectively and grow your business.

Pros:

Excellent Deliverability: With built-in tools to help maintain a strong sending reputation and expert-approved deliverability features.
Inbox Preview: Test email designs across devices and email clients to ensure consistency.
User-Friendly Interface: Mailjet’s drag-and-drop email editor makes it easy for beginners to design professional emails without any coding knowledge.
Collaboration Features: The platform supports real-time collaboration, allowing teams to work together on campaigns, with customizable permissions to protect brand consistency.
Competitive Plans: Mailjet offers competitive and transparent pricing with plans that cater to businesses of all sizes.

Cons:

Learning Curve for Advanced Features: While the basic email editor is easy to use, some of the more advanced features might require a learning curve for newcomers.
Pricing for Higher Volumes: For businesses with very high email volumes, the cost of scaling to Mailjet may become a concern.

6. SendGrid

SendGrid is a cloud-based service founded in 2009. It is widely recognized as one of the leading email marketing platforms. SendGrid is known for its scalability, ease of use, and high deliverability. Designed for marketers and developers, it offers tools for creating, automating, and optimizing email campaigns. SendGrid is used by thousands of marketers to ensure their email communications are delivered quickly and reliably.

Key Features:

Proven Deliverability: SendGrid is known for its high inbox placement rates, and has minimal risk of emails being caught in spam filters.
Email Design and Templates: Use drag-and-drop tools, HTML editors, or a combination of both to create responsive and visually appealing emails.
Email Automation: Set up recurring emails, time-based drip campaigns, and automated workflows with simple triggers to engage your audience effectively.
High Deliverability Rates: With a 96% average inbox placement rate, SendGrid ensures your emails reach their destination. Features like dedicated IPs and custom domains further enhance email performance.
Integrated Platform: Combine transactional and marketing emails in one platform, providing seamless collaboration between marketers and developers.
Advanced Analytics: Gain actionable insights with email statistics, including delivery rates, open rates, and engagement metrics, to fine-tune your campaigns.

Why do we recommend it?

SendGrid stands out for its proven deliverability, scalability, and advanced features. The platform also offers powerful email automation, a flexible API for easy integration, and expert support to optimize email marketing campaigns, which sets it apart from many competitors.

Who is it recommended for?

SendGrid is best suited for medium to large businesses, SaaS companies, and teams managing high-volume email campaigns. Its blend of powerful automation, high deliverability, and collaborative tools makes it an excellent choice for marketing professionals seeking to scale campaigns efficiently. Developers will also appreciate its seamless integration options and robust APIs.

Pros:

Customization: Offers flexible design options with drag-and-drop editors and HTML for advanced users.
Scalability: Its infrastructure can easily handle the email demands of both small businesses and large enterprises. This makes it an excellent choice for businesses anticipating growth.
Expert Assistance: SendGrid's team of experts offers support ranging from technical troubleshooting to strategic advice. This ensures the continued success of your business's email marketing efforts.
Automation Efficiency: Saves time with easy-to-set-up recurring emails and drip campaigns.
Deliverability: Industry-leading inbox rates backed by partnerships with top inbox service providers.

Cons:

Pricing: While SendGrid offers flexible pricing, it can be expensive especially for smaller businesses or those with lower email volumes.
Learning Curve for New Users: While the platform offers an intuitive UI, new users may require some time to become familiar with the advanced features and configuration options available.

7. SMTP.com

SMTP.com is a trusted name in email marketing and relay services. It provides robust solutions tailored for marketing campaigns and transactional emails. With over 23 years of experience, it offers industry-leading deliverability, fast autoresponders, and tools to safeguard your sender reputation. This makes it a reliable choice for marketers aiming to enhance their ROI.

Key Features:

High Deliverability Rates: SMTP.com’s established reputation ensures that emails are delivered reliably, with high success rates.
Speed and Reliability: The platform supports superfast autoresponders and triggered emails, crucial for time-sensitive campaigns.
Reputation Defense: Its proactive IP reputation defender identifies and removes bad emails, minimizing bounces and protecting your sender score.
Email Validation Services: Marketers can validate their email lists to improve reach and ROI, with free list health scores and on-demand validation options.
Email Relay API: SMTP.com offers an easy-to-use API for email relay. This enables businesses to send large volumes of emails through a reliable SMTP server.
Scalable Infrastructure: SMTP.com can handle changing email delivery demands, from small volumes to billions of emails per month, without compromising performance.

Why do we recommend it?

With over two decades of experience, SMTP.com offers unmatched deliverability rates and robust infrastructure that ensures emails reach their intended recipients efficiently. Its scalable platform can handle billions of emails per month while maintaining speed and performance.

Who is it recommended for?

Consider SMTP.com if you run a business that requires reliable, high-volume email delivery with a strong emphasis on deliverability and scalability. It’s definitely a great tool for large-scale enterprises, e-commerce platforms, SaaS providers, and businesses that rely on marketing and transactional emails. It is also a strong fit for organizations that are transitioning from other email service providers, as it offers turnkey migration services to make the process effortless.

Pros:

High Deliverability Rates: Ensures campaigns are more effective by reaching subscriber inboxes reliably.
Time Efficiency: Blazing-fast email delivery for autoresponders and triggered emails enhances user experience.
Reputation Protection: List validation and proactive monitoring safeguard sender reputation and reduce campaign failures.
Flexibility: Works with major marketing tools and offers API integration for customized solutions.
SMTP for Marketers: The platform offers tools that help marketers send and manage email campaigns, track performance, and optimize for better results.

Cons:

Primarily Focused on High Volume Senders: While the platform is excellent for large-scale email campaigns, it may not be the most cost-effective option for small businesses or low-volume senders.
Premium Pricing: SMTP.com is a premium service, which might not be the most cost-efficient option for businesses just starting with email marketing or transactional emails.