WordPress SMTP Plugins: Managing Multiple Sender Identities

Erik ChenErik Chen
5 min read

WordPress websites often need to send emails from multiple addresses for different purposes—whether it's sales inquiries, order confirmations, marketing newsletters, or automated notifications. Default WordPress email functionality has significant limitations, but several SMTP plugins solve this problem by allowing multiple sender identities. This report examines the leading WordPress SMTP plugins that support various sender addresses and provides implementation guidance.

Why Default WordPress Email Settings Fall Short

By default, WordPress uses the PHP mail() function to send emails, with "WordPress" as the sender name and "[email protected]" as the from address. This configuration creates several problems:

  • Poor deliverability rates with emails often landing in spam folders

  • Inability to receive email notifications about your site

  • Unbranded emails that users can't reply to

  • Limited functionality for HTML templates, image embedding, and attachments

  • Lack of proper authentication headers

These limitations severely impact communication effectiveness, customer trust, and brand recognition. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) plugins resolve these issues by reconfiguring WordPress to use proper email authentication protocols.

Leading WordPress SMTP Plugins Supporting Multiple Senders

1. WP Mail SMTP Pro

WP Mail SMTP is the most popular SMTP plugin with over 3 million active installations. While the free version supports a single sender configuration, WP Mail SMTP Pro offers "Additional Connections" feature for multiple sender identities.

Key features:

  • Setup wizard for easy configuration

  • Additional Connections for multiple sender addresses

  • Smart Routing to direct specific emails through different connections

  • Backup Connection feature if primary sender fails

  • Email logging and detailed reporting

2. FluentSMTP

FluentSMTP specializes in supporting multiple email delivery connections with straightforward configuration options. It's particularly valuable for businesses needing separate sender identities for different communication types.

Key features:

  • Multiple Email Delivery Connections with different sender addresses

  • Fallback Connection settings

  • Auto Routing capabilities

  • Compatible with other plugins like FluentCRM and Fluent Forms

3. MultiMailer (SCAND Multi-Mailer)

This plugin specifically focuses on handling multiple senders and recipients. It intercepts emails sent through the WordPress wp_mail() function and can duplicate them as needed.

Key features:

  • Send emails to multiple recipients

  • Differentiate data sets for multiple recipients

  • Replace sender information (name, email, subject)

  • Add text before or after message body

  • Support for SMTP or PHP mail() function

4. Other Notable Options

PluginFeaturesWebsite
Post SMTPCompatible with major SMTP providers, designed for maximum deliverabilitypostmansmtp.com
SMTP MailerTakes control of wp_mail function to use SMTP insteadwordpress.org/plugins/smtp-mailer
Easy WP SMTPUsed by 700,000+ WordPress sites for simplified email deliveryeasywpsmtp.com

How to Configure Multiple Sender Identities

Setting Up Additional Connections in WP Mail SMTP Pro

  1. Install and activate WP Mail SMTP Pro

  2. Navigate to WP Mail SMTP » Settings

  3. Click the Additional Connections tab

  4. Click Add New to create a new connection

  5. Configure the following settings:

    • Connection Nickname: Name to identify this connection

    • From Email: Email address for this sender identity

    • Mailer: Choose your email provider (SendLayer, Gmail, Amazon SES, etc.)

    • Provider-specific settings: API keys, authentication details, etc.

Once configured, you can set up a Backup Connection or create Smart Routing rules to automatically route specific emails through different connections.

Configuring Multiple Connections in FluentSMTP

  1. Install and activate FluentSMTP

  2. Go to the Settings Tab

  3. Select Add Another Connection

  4. Configure each connection with a unique sender email address

  5. Optionally set a Fallback Connection from the General Settings tab

Important: Each connection must use a different sender email address—attempting to add a new connection with an existing sender email will replace the previous configuration.

Using Multiple Connections in WordPress Forms

With plugins like FluentSMTP, you can select different sender identities when sending emails through form plugins:

  1. In your form plugin settings (like FluentForms), locate the email notification settings

  2. Set a custom "From Email" address that matches one of your configured SMTP connections

  3. The system will automatically use the appropriate SMTP connection for that sender

Benefits of Modern WordPress SMTP Plugins

Beyond multiple sender support, today's SMTP plugins offer advanced features:

  • Email logging: Track sent emails and their delivery status

  • Resending capabilities: Quickly resend failed emails

  • Analytics: Generate reports on email performance

  • Failure notifications: Get alerts when emails fail to deliver (via email, Slack, SMS)

  • Improved deliverability: Properly authenticated emails reach inboxes, not spam folders

Smart Routing for Advanced Email Management

Smart routing enables conditional email delivery based on specific rules. This feature allows you to:

  • Use different providers for marketing vs. transactional emails

  • Send high-priority messages through premium services

  • Route different department communications through appropriate accounts

  • Ensure backup delivery paths when primary routes fail

Conclusion

For WordPress sites needing to send emails from multiple addresses, SMTP plugins offer an elegant solution. WP Mail SMTP Pro provides the most comprehensive feature set for multi-sender management, while FluentSMTP offers streamlined multi-connection support. MultiMailer is ideal for specialized multi-sender/recipient scenarios.

When selecting a plugin, consider your specific needs: email volume, sender diversity, logging requirements, and integration with other WordPress tools. Proper SMTP configuration not only enables multiple sender identities but also significantly improves email deliverability, enhances brand consistency, and provides valuable insights through detailed logging and analytics.

By implementing one of these SMTP solutions, WordPress site administrators can overcome the platform's native email limitations and create a robust, professional communication system with diverse sender identities.


Is your business struggling with WordPress email deliverability or managing multiple sender identities? At Tenten.co, our WordPress development experts can implement the perfect SMTP solution tailored to your specific needs. We'll ensure your business communications reach their destination reliably and professionally, enhancing your brand's digital presence. Book a free consultation today to discuss how we can optimize your WordPress email system for maximum impact and reliability.

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Written by

Erik Chen
Erik Chen