WordPress plugin comparison
wp_mail return-path vs WP Mail SMTP by WPForms
At a glance
- WP Mail SMTP by WPForms has more active installs: 4M+, against 4K+ for wp_mail return-path.
- On a typical day, WP Mail SMTP by WPForms is downloaded about 40,526 times, wp_mail return-path about 21.
- wp_mail return-path is rated higher: 5.0 out of 5 from 9 reviews, against 4.8 from 5,214 reviews.
- WP Mail SMTP by WPForms was updated more recently: Oct 20, 2026, against Dec 11, 2023 for wp_mail return-path.
- WP Mail SMTP by WPForms is tested with a newer WordPress: 7.1.4, against 6.3.14 for wp_mail return-path.
- WP Mail SMTP by WPForms has been around longer: since 2007, against 2015 for wp_mail return-path.
Line by line
WP Mail SMTP by WPForms leads on 6 of 7 comparable lines.
| Metric |  wp_mail return-path |  WP Mail SMTP by WPForms |
|---|---|---|
| Popular rank | #3,256 | #12 |
| Active installs | 4K+ | 4M+ |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 340 | 2.9M |
| Rating | 5.0(9) | 4.8(5.2K) |
| Support threads resolved | – | 83% |
| Tested up to | 6.3.14 | 7.1.4 |
| Search multiplier | ×0.06 | ×5.61 |
| Last release | 2 years ago | 20 days ago |
| Requires PHP | – | 7.4 |
From WordPress.org's public data, refreshed every night. Downloads are WordPress.org's official daily figures for the last 30 days.
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