WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… vs wp_mail return-path (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
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, wp_mail return-path has a higher user rating (5/5 from 9 reviews) while WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… leads in active installations (4.0M+ vs 5.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… has accumulated 76M+ total downloads while wp_mail return-path has 33K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… | wp_mail return-path | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.8/5 | ► | 5/5 |
| Total Reviews | 5,089 | ◄ | 9 |
| Active Installs | 4.0M+ | ◄ | 5.0K+ |
| Total Downloads | 76M+ | ◄ | 33K+ |
| Support Resolution | 88% | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 4 months ago | ◄ | 2 years ago |
| First Released | 2007 | 2015 | |
| Age | 19 years | 11 years | |
| WP Requires | 5.5+ | 3.0.1+ | |
| PHP Requires | 7.4+ | false+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 4.7.1 | 1.1.1 |
Rating Breakdown
WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most…
wp_mail return-path
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… averaged approximately 14,159 daily downloads while wp_mail return-path averaged 10.
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
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.
More Outlook Worth Comparing
Top alternatives in the same category as WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… and wp_mail return-path
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SureMail – SMTP and Email Logs Plugin with Amazon SES, Postmark, and Other Providers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… or wp_mail return-path more popular?
Which has better ratings — WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… or wp_mail return-path?
Are WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… and wp_mail return-path free?
Which plugin has better support — WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most… or wp_mail return-path?
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Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.