Email marketing has been an indispensable tool in this digitally powered world. Businesses need it to establish their presence, attract new leads, and nurture the existing ones. However, for full-fledged email marketing, one needs a robust SMTP server. The server ensures that your emails are sent authentically and received by the right recipients in their inboxes.
Well, when it comes to buying an SMTP server, not all businesses can afford it, especially the small ones and startups. Still, they need email marketing to thrive and grow. What should they do? Is there any alternative?
Yes, such businesses can leverage free SMTP servers for their initial email marketing efforts. However, some companies ask users to fill in their credit card details even to use the free version, and when the free period ends, the amount is automatically deducted from the card.
Don’t worry, in this post, we will talk about the 5 best free SMTP servers for email marketing that do not ask for any credit card details. Sounds good? Let us talk about them.
Best 5 Free SMTP Servers for Email Marketing that Don’t Ask for Your Credit Card
Here are the SMTP servers that you can use for free to boost your email marketing campaigns:
1. Brevo (Formerly Sendinblue)
Ideal for small businesses, startups, and freelancers, Brevo continues to be the favourite SMTP server in 2025. Business of all sizes can use this tool effectively. Its user-friendly interface, simple set-up, and feature-packed free plan attract businesses. With its free plan, one can send up to 300 emails per day.
Additionally, it also features built-in email templates, marketing automation, and real-time reporting. What makes Brevo stand out is its focus on simplicity without sacrificing power.
Pros
- No credit card required
- Great automation features
- User-friendly dashboard
Cons
- Daily sending limit might be tight for some
2. Elastic Email
Another free-to-use SMTP server on the list is Elastic Email. It offers a tighter daily sending limit of 100 emails per day with its free plan; however, API integration, detailed analytics, and email verification features make it stand out from the crowd. Another point that needs attention with this email server is its scalability.
As you grow, you can buy its paid plans to enjoy uninterrupted services and meet the growing demands of your scaling business. Elastic Email offers a simple and effective SMTP service, but where it shines is in how it lets you pay only for what you use beyond the free allowance. No forced upgrades or hidden charges; you stay in control. This SMTP is best for developers, tech-savvy users, and companies with small teams.
Pros
- Affordable pay-as-you-go rates
- Excellent analytics tools
Cons
- Requires setup knowledge (not the most beginner-friendly)
3. SMTP2GO
If you are looking for something reliable and robust, SMTP2GO is the right option for you. Designed to ensure your emails reach inboxes (not spam folders), this service is rock-solid. Another top feature of this SMTP server is that it allows free users to send up to 1000 emails per day.
Additionally, the server also offers detailed delivery monitoring and API support. SMTP2GO is best for sending transactional emails and is ideal for use by agencies and professionals. SMTP2GO’s free plan is nice for light users and offers peace of mind with great deliverability. Their network redundancy ensures emails get sent even if a server goes down.
Pros
- Strong deliverability
- Good customer support
Cons
- 1,000 monthly emails may not be enough for active campaigns
4. Mailjet
Another proven in our arsenal is Mailjet. Easy-to-use platform with a range of exciting features defines this tool as the best.
If you are a digital marketing expert, having a team or a small business looking for a free SMTP server for sending emails, Mailjet can be the ideal one. With its free plan, you can send 200 emails per day. Besides that, it also offers an email builder and detailed campaign analytics to track your campaign’s performance.
The free SMTP access is easy to configure, and the email builder is intuitive, especially if you’re building out marketing campaigns. Mailjet also lets teams collaborate on email drafts in real time.
Pros
- Easy-to-use email editor
- No hidden charges
Cons
- Some features are locked behind paid plans
5. Postmark
A robust, reliable, and renowned SMTP server is Postmark. It does not offer a forever-free plan but a free trial. However, there is no compromise with the quality and efficiency when it comes to using this SMTP server.
Outstanding deliverability and top-notch customer support are a few of the features of Postmark. With its free trial, you can send 100 emails per day. This platform is best for SaaS apps, developers, and transactional email needs.
The speed and reliability of Postmark are unmatched. Although the free trial is limited, it’s perfect for testing projects or small apps without pulling out a credit card.
Pros
- Blazing-fast delivery
- Excellent logging and analytics
Cons
- Free emails are limited to 100
Choosing the Right SMTP Server for You
Each of these SMTP servers brings something different to the table. For those who are running marketing campaigns and need templates, Brevo and Mailjet can be the best SMTP options.
However, if you need rock-solid deliverability, SMTP2GO and Postmark should be the ideal ones. For those who want flexibility without getting tied into a pricey plan, Elastic Email is worth a look.
The good news? You can try a few and see which one feels right for your workflow without handing over your credit card details.
Final Thoughts
In 2025, reliable email sending shouldn’t require a huge budget or a mountain of paperwork. These free SMTP servers let you get up and running quickly, whether you’re sending newsletters, customer updates, or critical transactional emails. No fuss, no hidden fees, and no credit card required.
Start simple, build trust with your audience, and upgrade only when you’re ready. Email might be old-school, but with the right SMTP server, it’s still one of your most powerful tools.
