To send emails, you can run your own mail server or choose an external service. The latter is advisable because it’s more convenient and fail-safe. However, choosing the one that fits you best may be challenging.
Fortunately, there are literally hundreds of services you may try out or even use for free, and this article will give you insights and tips on choosing the best one.
What Is An SMTP Service?
The abbreviation stands for Simple mail Transfer Protocol, the main protocol for transferring emails. An SMTP service is a company that operates SMTP servers and offers them to customers for a fee. Many of these companies offer free tiers of service; you can use their servers to send emails at no cost up to a certain point but need to pay once you cross the limit.
SMTP services allow you to send huge volumes of emails instantly and securely. They’re more convenient than running your own servers and maintaining their security and reliability.
What Do Free SMTP Services Offer?
Many providers offer an unpaid plan allowing businesses to send emails up to a specific limit. For example, you could send 10,000 messages monthly at no cost and pay only if you cross that limit. You can access these services in two major ways: under a free plan or free trial.
Free plans are not time-limited, but usually have reduced functionality. In addition to the monthly message limit, you could also be limited on certain features, like A/B testing or advanced statistics.
A free trial is when the provider gives you access to its servers at no cost for a specific period. This variant lets you thoroughly test the provider’s services before deciding whether to pay for a long-term contract. Trials usually last up to a few weeks, and you must pay to retain access to the service once that time expires. Even with this option, access to certain features may still be limited.
Things To Consider When Choosing A Free SMTP Service
You need to consider several factors to choose the best SMTP servers for free, including:
Sending Limits
You must note the sending limits on the free service tier you want to choose. Providers can limit the number of emails daily, weekly, or monthly. For example, one might let you send up to 100 messages daily and another up to 500. Some might even limit the number of hourly messages.
Security
Your email service provider must be as secure as possible. Hackers often target email servers to take over and broadcast spam messages, so your provider must have advanced security features to thwart their efforts. An insecure provider would make it easy for spammers to take over your server and tank your sending reputation, so it must be avoided at all costs.
Reliability
Your provider should be as reliable as possible. Its terms of service should guarantee at least 99% uptime, enabling you to send emails whenever you need. Avoid any provider with a history of unreliability, as it’ll give you problems in the long run.
Scalability
The service should be easy to scale. You may decide to upgrade to a premium plan as your business grows and you need to send more emails to customers. The platform should make it easy to upgrade at any time.
Ease of Use
Your platform of choice should be easy to use. It should offer a user interface that’s easy to navigate and understand. Any platform with a complex interface can frustrate you and lead to costly mistakes.
The same will also apply to integration with your business application. Check the API and integration modules the service offers for ease of use and quality of documentation.
Bottom Line
A free SMTP service helps you interact with customers at no cost. The features are often limited, but you can always upgrade to a paid plan later.
We have explained the important factors to consider when choosing a service. Follow our tips, and you’ll likely choose a platform you’ll be satisfied with.
