Best WordPress Email Logging Plugins (2026): Features Compared

WordPress sends more emails than you might realise. From password resets and contact form notifications to WooCommerce order confirmations and membership updates, email is an important part of how most websites operate.

The problem is that WordPress doesn't provide a built-in email history. Once an email has been handed over for delivery, there is no standard place in the dashboard to go back and see what was sent, inspect its contents or investigate what happened.

That's where an email logging plugin comes in. It records outgoing emails and gives you a searchable history, making it much easier to investigate missing notifications, check what customers received and keep track of activity across your website.

There are several WordPress email logging plugins available, ranging from simple logging tools to more comprehensive email management and SMTP solutions. In this guide, I'll compare six options, looking at what each one offers and the type of website it may suit best.

A note about this comparison: I develop Conobe Mail Logger Pro, which is one of the plugins included below. I've included it alongside other available options and aimed to give each plugin a fair assessment, highlighting where it may be a good fit and where another solution might make more sense.

Quick Comparison: WordPress Email Logging Plugins

Here is a quick overview of the six plugins covered in this guide. They don't all serve exactly the same purpose, so the best choice depends on whether you simply want an email history or need additional delivery, monitoring and troubleshooting tools.

Pricing, feature availability and plugin functionality can change. Check each developer's current documentation and pricing before making a decision.

1. Conobe Mail Logger Pro

Best for: Website owners who want more than a basic record of outgoing emails.

Conobe Mail Logger Pro is a WordPress email logging plugin that I developed to provide a more complete way of reviewing and managing emails sent by a website. A basic email log is useful, but when something goes wrong, being able to inspect individual messages, search historical records and access additional email information can make troubleshooting much easier.

The plugin is particularly relevant to websites that rely heavily on automated emails, including WooCommerce stores, membership websites, booking systems and websites using contact forms.

Alongside standard email logging, its feature set includes email attachment access, spam checking through SpamAssassin, email monitoring through heartbeat checks, reporting and bulk management tools.

Key Features

• Record and review outgoing WordPress emails.
• Search and filter email logs.
• Inspect email contents and attachments.
• Work with emails generated by popular plugins and integrations.
• Use SpamAssassin checks to investigate potential spam-related issues.
• Monitor email activity using heartbeat functionality.
• Access reporting and bulk management tools.
• Review email activity from a central WordPress dashboard.

Pros

• A broader feature set than basic email logging plugins.
• Useful tools for investigating email activity.
• Attachment access and additional email inspection features.
• Suitable for websites with several plugins generating automated emails.
• Free version available, with additional functionality in Pro.

Things to Consider

Some of the more advanced functionality requires the Pro version. If you only want a basic record of outgoing emails, a lightweight free plugin may be sufficient.

It's also important to remember that email logging and successful email delivery are different things. A record of an outgoing email does not, by itself, confirm that it reached the recipient's inbox.

Conobe Mail Logger Pro is worth considering if you want a dedicated email logging and management solution, particularly if you need more than a basic record of messages sent by your website.

Website: https://conobe.co.uk/plugins/conobe-mail-logger-pro

2. WP Mail SMTP

Best for: Website owners who primarily need to configure reliable email delivery.

WP Mail SMTP is one of the better-known WordPress email plugins. Its primary purpose is to configure WordPress to send email through an SMTP server or supported email delivery provider instead of relying on the default PHP mail functionality.

This can help address common email delivery problems, particularly when a hosting provider's default mail configuration is unreliable or unsuitable for a busy website.

The plugin also offers email logging and reporting functionality through its paid offering, making it an option for people who want delivery configuration and email records within the same product.

Key Features

• SMTP configuration for WordPress.
• Integration with supported email delivery services.
• Email logging functionality in supported plans.
• Email reporting and delivery-related information.
• Tools for diagnosing common sending problems.

Pros and Cons

• Pros

  Established plugin with broad SMTP support, a large user base and useful email delivery configuration tools.

• Cons

  Its main focus is email delivery rather than being a dedicated email management system. Some logging and reporting features require a paid licence.

If your main problem is that WordPress emails aren't being sent reliably, WP Mail SMTP is a sensible place to start. If you already have email delivery configured and primarily want a comprehensive email history, a dedicated logging plugin may be a better fit.

Website: https://wpmailsmtp.com/

3. FluentSMTP

Best for: Website owners looking for free SMTP configuration and email logging.

FluentSMTP combines email delivery configuration with email logging. It supports multiple SMTP and transactional email providers, allowing WordPress websites to route outgoing messages through an external service.

One of its attractions is that it offers a substantial feature set without requiring a paid plugin licence. It also provides an email log so administrators can review outgoing messages and investigate sending activity.

Key Features

• SMTP and transactional email provider integrations.
• Email logging.
• Support for multiple email connections.
• Email sending statistics.
• Tools for managing outgoing email configuration.

Pros and Cons

• Pros

  Free to use, combines SMTP configuration with logging and supports a range of email providers.

• Cons

  Its focus is primarily email delivery configuration. Businesses looking for more specialised email inspection and management features may need additional functionality.

FluentSMTP is a strong option if you want to improve how WordPress sends email without paying for an SMTP plugin. Its built-in logging also makes it useful for basic email troubleshooting.

Website: https://fluentsmtp.com/

4. WP Mail Logging

Best for: People who want a straightforward record of outgoing WordPress emails.

WP Mail Logging is focused on one main job: recording emails generated by WordPress. It is a relatively straightforward option for administrators who want to see what their website has attempted to send without configuring a separate SMTP service.

For a small website that sends occasional contact form notifications or password reset emails, this type of plugin may provide everything required.

Key Features

• Record outgoing WordPress emails.
• Review logged email information from the dashboard.
• Inspect email activity when investigating missing messages.
• Provide a simple way to maintain an email history.

Pros and Cons

• Pros

  Simple purpose, straightforward setup and useful for basic email history without unnecessary configuration.

• Cons

  It is primarily a logging solution. Users looking for advanced monitoring, reporting, attachment management or other email administration tools may need something more comprehensive.

If you simply want to know whether WordPress generated an email and have a record to inspect later, WP Mail Logging is worth considering.

Website: https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-mail-logging/

5. Post SMTP

Best for: Website owners who want SMTP delivery configuration alongside diagnostic tools.

Post SMTP is another established option that focuses on improving WordPress email delivery. It supports external mail services and provides diagnostic features to help administrators investigate problems with outgoing messages.

Its email logging functionality gives administrators a way to review sending activity, while its delivery-focused tools can help identify configuration and connection issues.

Key Features

• SMTP and supported mail service integrations.
• Email logging and message history.
• Diagnostic and connection testing tools.
• Email delivery error information.
• Additional functionality through available extensions or paid features.

Pros and Cons

• Pros

  Combines email delivery configuration with diagnostic information and logging. Useful for investigating SMTP-related problems.

• Cons

  There is more configuration involved than with a basic logging-only plugin. Its primary focus remains email delivery rather than advanced email management.

Post SMTP is worth considering if you want more insight into the process of sending emails, particularly when your website depends on an external SMTP service.

Website: https://wordpress.org/plugins/post-smtp/

6. Check & Log Email

Best for: Small websites that need basic email logging and testing.

Check & Log Email is a lightweight option for WordPress administrators who want to record outgoing emails and perform basic checks. It provides a relatively simple approach without the broader SMTP and email management features found in some competing plugins.

For a small business website where the main concern is having somewhere to inspect recent outgoing messages, this may be sufficient.

Key Features

• Record outgoing WordPress emails.
• Review email history.
• Test and check email functionality.
• Simple configuration and administration.

Pros and Cons

• Pros

  Lightweight approach, straightforward functionality and useful for basic monitoring.

• Cons

  It is not intended to replace a comprehensive email management or SMTP delivery solution.

If you don't need advanced reporting or email management, a simple plugin such as this may be all your website requires.

Website: https://wordpress.org/plugins/check-email/

What Should You Look for in a WordPress Email Logging Plugin?

Not every website needs the same level of email logging. A small brochure website might only send a handful of contact form notifications each week, while a busy WooCommerce store could generate hundreds or thousands of automated messages.

Before choosing a plugin, consider the following features.

1. Email History and Search

Being able to see what your website has sent is the starting point. Look for a searchable history with useful information such as recipients, subjects, dates and sending status. The ability to filter records becomes increasingly important as your website generates more emails.

2. Access to Email Contents and Attachments

A basic log might tell you that an email was generated, but sometimes you need to inspect the actual message. This is particularly useful when investigating customer complaints, missing order details or incorrect form notifications.

If your website sends invoices, booking confirmations or documents, attachment access can also be valuable.

3. SMTP and Delivery Monitoring

Email logging and email delivery are related but different jobs. Logging records activity within WordPress, while SMTP services handle the transmission of messages to recipient mail servers.

If reliable delivery is your main concern, look for SMTP configuration and appropriate delivery monitoring. Remember that even a successful hand-off to a mail server does not guarantee that an email reaches the recipient's inbox.

4. Retention and Storage

Email logs can grow quickly on busy websites. Check whether a plugin allows you to control how long records are retained, delete old entries and manage storage. Keeping every email indefinitely is rarely necessary and can create avoidable database and privacy concerns.

5. Privacy and Security

Email logs can contain names, addresses, order information, password reset links and other sensitive data. Make sure access is restricted to appropriate administrators, consider what information is retained and establish a sensible retention policy.

If your website processes personal information, logging should form part of your wider data protection practices rather than being treated as an isolated technical feature.

Do You Need an Email Logger or an SMTP Plugin?

This is an important distinction when choosing a WordPress email plugin.

An email logging plugin records information about messages generated by WordPress. It gives you a history that you can refer back to when investigating what happened.

An SMTP plugin changes how WordPress sends those messages. Instead of relying on the default mail configuration, it connects your website to an SMTP server or transactional email provider.

Some plugins combine both functions, while others specialise in one. You don't necessarily need to choose between them. A dedicated email logger can work alongside an SMTP plugin, provided the two are compatible.

If your emails aren't being delivered, start by investigating your sending configuration. If you need to know what your website has been sending and inspect historical messages, an email logger is the more relevant tool.

Which WordPress Email Logging Plugin Should You Choose?

There isn't one plugin that is automatically the best choice for every website. It comes down to what you want to achieve. The options below are better viewed as recommendations for different requirements rather than an overall ranking.

Our Recommendations

• For comprehensive email logging and management

  Conobe Mail Logger Pro is worth considering if you want more than a basic email history, particularly if features such as attachment access, monitoring, spam checking and reporting are important to your workflow.

• For SMTP configuration

  WP Mail SMTP is a well-established choice if configuring external email delivery is your main priority.

• For a free SMTP and logging solution

  FluentSMTP offers a useful combination of delivery configuration and email logging without a paid licence.

• For basic email logging

  WP Mail Logging or Check & Log Email may be sufficient if you simply need to review outgoing messages.

• For email delivery diagnostics

  Post SMTP is worth investigating if you want SMTP configuration alongside diagnostic tools.

Whichever option you choose, remember that keeping an email log is not a substitute for properly configuring email delivery. For business-critical messages, use a suitable sending service and monitor delivery independently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does WordPress keep a log of sent emails by default?

No. WordPress does not provide a built-in email history in its standard dashboard. If you want to review outgoing messages, you'll need an email logging plugin or another logging solution.

Can an email logging plugin tell me whether an email was delivered?

Not necessarily. A log can confirm that WordPress generated an email and attempted to send it, but that doesn't automatically mean the recipient's mail server accepted it or that it reached their inbox. Delivery information depends on the sending service and the features supported by your plugin.

Will an email logging plugin slow down my WordPress website?

Logging introduces some additional database activity because email information needs to be stored. A well-built plugin should keep this overhead reasonable, but busy websites should pay attention to database growth, log retention and cleanup.

Can I log WooCommerce emails?

Yes. Email logging plugins can record emails generated by WooCommerce, provided they support the relevant WordPress email mechanisms. This can be particularly useful when investigating missing order confirmations, customer notifications and other automated messages.

Can I see the contents of emails sent by WordPress?

That depends on the plugin. Some tools only record basic information, while others allow you to open individual logs and inspect message contents. More advanced options may also provide access to attachments.

Are WordPress email logging plugins free?

Several email logging plugins are available for free. Some offer paid upgrades for additional features such as advanced reporting, monitoring, email management and longer-term support.

Should I keep email logs indefinitely?

Not necessarily. Email logs may contain personal or commercially sensitive information. Choose a retention period that meets your operational requirements and data protection obligations, and remove records when they are no longer needed.

Final Thoughts

WordPress email logging is one of those features you might not think about until something goes wrong. A customer says they never received an order confirmation, a contact form notification disappears or a password reset email never arrives. Without a log, investigating the problem can become unnecessarily difficult.

For a simple website, a lightweight free plugin may be all you need. For a busy business website or online store, additional tools for searching, inspecting, monitoring and managing email activity can make a real difference.

Take some time to consider how many emails your website sends, what information you need to retain and how you would investigate a missing message. Choosing a plugin based on those requirements will serve you better than simply installing the one with the longest feature list.