SMTP provider

[m0bov]

Hi all, we have been using Office 365 for our outgoing e-mails from apps like Edulink. But as some might know, they limit the messages per minute and the size of the mailbox.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations on a good SMTP provider? One that won't keep getting black listed??? Thanks.

[dhicks]

3 hours ago, m0bov said:

Hi all, we have been using Office 365 for our outgoing e-mails from apps like Edulink. But as some might know, they limit the messages per minute and the size of the mailbox.

We found much the same limitation using GMail - trying to email more than about a dozen people starts to have issues. We make sure all our teacher-parent communication goes through our MIS (iSAMS), which uses SendGrid as its email provider. We do also use Mailchimp for a mailing list, and I've found their transactional email service, Mandrill, to be good as well. I've not used Edulink, but I'm guessing it should be able to give you the option (possibly at an extra cost) of using SendGrid, Mandrill or a similar provider.

[bitznpcz]

I use SMTP2GO with my CRM software and it does a good job.

[RobFuller]

Its in "preview" but could this work? Manage high volume emails for Microsoft 365

[m0bov]

17 hours ago, dhicks said:

We found much the same limitation using GMail - trying to email more than about a dozen people starts to have issues. We make sure all our teacher-parent communication goes through our MIS (iSAMS), which uses SendGrid as its email provider. We do also use Mailchimp for a mailing list, and I've found their transactional email service, Mandrill, to be good as well. I've not used Edulink, but I'm guessing it should be able to give you the option (possibly at an extra cost) of using SendGrid, Mandrill or a similar provider.

We use Twilio for our virtual parents evenings and I think sendgrid is part of it. I have tried contact them with no response as we need to pay in GBP and for a year. Is this how you pay?

[dmj]

Can you go direct to sendGrid / mailchimp et al?

Is running your own smtp out of the question?

[m0bov]

We can go direct to them, yes. We don't really want to be running any onprem services. Thanks.

[webman]

For transactional emails, I use a UK-based provider called MailPace and find it works really well. Can be paid yearly and in GBP.

It works much like SendGrid or Mandrill, but isn't designed for mailing lists or newsletters (or other bulk messages).

[pete]

I make our lot either use the MIS SMTP provider (we use Bromcom) or Mailchimp for bulk mailings.

[dmj]

8 minutes ago, m0bov said:

We can go direct to them, yes. We don't really want to be running any onprem services. Thanks.

Don't blame you. For £15/month seems like  bargain vs running onsite. 

[dhicks]

On 20/06/2025 at 11:30, m0bov said:

We use Twilio for our virtual parents evenings and I think sendgrid is part of it. I have tried contact them with no response as we need to pay in GBP and for a year. Is this how you pay?

We use iSAMS, which uses SendGrid as its email backend - we pay iSAMS, we don't pay SendGrid directly, although we do get separate access to the SendGrid console to help with any occasional mail sending issues. Mailchimp / Mandrill I think we can pay for via credit card, although I think our mailing list size is still under the free limit at the moment.

[tom_newton]

I always liked Mailgun's free tier - Message from Mailgun - I think it needs a credit card just to discourage account farmers.

 

Definitely don't run your own - it's a PITA, and a security issue. Additionally you will be sending from an IP with no reputation and your deliverability will be terrible.

[neonetman]

Have a look at DNSEXIT.com - I use that for some of our outgoing emails, and its secure

[m0bov]

Thanks for all the info guys. We have been mailing them all, but not a single company every replies, literary complete radio silence. Mailpace looked good, but no response from them at all!