WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… vs Essential Form – The lightest plugin… (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most…
4.0M+ active installs
Free
Essential Form – The lightest plugin…
500 active installs
Free
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Essential Form – The lightest plugin… has a higher user rating (4.9/5 from 19 reviews) while WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… leads in active installations (4.0M+ vs 500). Both are free WordPress plugins. WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… has accumulated 76M+ total downloads while Essential Form – The lightest plugin… has 5.8K+. WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… has a higher support resolution rate (88% vs 0%).
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… | Essential Form – The lightest plugin… | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.8/5 | ► | 4.9/5 |
| Total Reviews | 5,089 | ◄ | 19 |
| Active Installs | 4.0M+ | ◄ | 500 |
| Total Downloads | 76M+ | ◄ | 5.8K+ |
| Support Resolution | 88% | ◄ | 0% |
| Last Updated | 4 months ago | ► | 4 months ago |
| First Released | 2007 | 2023 | |
| Age | 19 years | 3 years | |
| WP Requires | 5.5+ | 4.6+ | |
| PHP Requires | 7.4+ | 7.2+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 4.7.1 | 1.0.2 |
Rating Breakdown
WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most…
Essential Form – The lightest plugin…
Download Trends
Recent Reviews
WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… Reviews
Great plugin!
Easy to install and configure. Works like a charm!
Love it
easy and reliable
Does the Job, Needs Improvement
WP Mail SMTP by WPForms works well for email delivery, with easy setup. However, it lacks some advanced features and customization. 4 stars! This topic was modified 2 days, 1 hour ago by janel
Essential Form – The lightest plugin… Reviews
No reviews yet
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… or Essential Form – The lightest plugin… more popular?
Which has better ratings — WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… or Essential Form – The lightest plugin…?
Are WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… and Essential Form – The lightest plugin… free?
Which plugin has better support — WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… or Essential Form – The lightest plugin…?
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Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.