wp_mail return-path vs SMTP for Contact Form 7 (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, wp_mail return-path has a higher user rating (5/5 from 9 reviews) and leads in active installations (5.0K+ vs 1.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. wp_mail return-path has accumulated 33K+ total downloads while SMTP for Contact Form 7 has 7.0K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | wp_mail return-path | SMTP for Contact Form 7 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | ◄ | 4/5 |
| Total Reviews | 9 | ◄ | 2 |
| Active Installs | 5.0K+ | ◄ | 1.0K+ |
| Total Downloads | 33K+ | ◄ | 7.0K+ |
| Support Resolution | N/A | 50% | |
| Last Updated | 2 years ago | ► | 1 week ago |
| First Released | 2015 | 2022 | |
| Age | 11 years | 4 years | |
| WP Requires | 3.0.1+ | 5.5+ | |
| PHP Requires | false+ | 7.1+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 1.1.1 | 1.1.0 |
Rating Breakdown
wp_mail return-path
SMTP for Contact Form 7
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, wp_mail return-path averaged approximately 10 daily downloads while SMTP for Contact Form 7 averaged 36.
Recent Reviews
wp_mail return-path Reviews
Just what the doctor ordered
Works a treat and fixes an otherwise troublesome issue. Many thanks.
Works as expected
Needed to be able to set return-path email header in my WordPress emails so that they don’t get flagged as spam. This plugin does the trick.
Thanks for the plugin. To be honest, this should be part of WP.
It works, and it fixes a major flaw of WP.
SMTP for Contact Form 7 Reviews
Solved my SMTP problem
Works for me. Message didn’t get lost anymore.
Doest work
i know all my setup correct but doest work this plugin This topic was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by bbbirkan.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.