How to Set Up an SMTP Provider in Sparkforge

SMTP lets you send Sparkforge email through a third-party provider like Amazon SES, SendGrid, Zoho, or a Microsoft 365 account. It is an advanced setup — most users should use the native Gmail or Outlook integration, or Sparkforge Email, instead.

Before you set up SMTP

Native integrations are simpler and more reliable:

• Gmail Sync — two-way email sync for Gmail.
• Outlook Sync — two-way email sync for Outlook.
• Sparkforge Email — managed sending with full statistics.

If you choose SMTP, you do so at your own discretion. Support is best-effort.

Sender email must match the integrated address

The sender email on the outgoing message must match the email you authenticated with your SMTP provider. If it doesn't match — or the address isn't verified with the provider — the message will fail to deliver.

In manual conversations, the sender defaults to your Sparkforge login email. Change it to the SMTP-integrated address before sending.

Daily sending limits

Most SMTP providers cap daily volume. Gmail, for example, limits roughly 100–150 emails per day when connected as a remote client. Check your provider's limits before scheduling large sends.

Why emails get stuck in "Sent" status

SMTP only returns sent, open, click, and bounce events — there is no delivered event. Sparkforge marks an email delivered after the first open. Until then, it shows as sent.

For full sending statistics, use Sparkforge Email or Mailgun.

Provider-specific setup

Amazon SES

1. Use the server name listed on the SMTP Settings page.
2. Use port 465.
3. Use the IAM username and password you generated (save them — they cannot be viewed again).
4. Use the Amazon AWS root user email address.

Outlook / Microsoft 365

An "Authentication unsuccessful" error is common. Microsoft requires SMTP Authentication to be explicitly enabled for third-party apps. Enable it in your tenant, then retry. If it still fails, contact Outlook support to authenticate the account.

Test your SMTP integration

1. Disable Email Re-Billing while making changes to the default provider.
2. Test credentials with the GMass SMTP test tool at gmass.co/smtp-test.
3. Send a test email from Sparkforge to confirm delivery and statistics.

Common questions

The "Add Service" button is missing in SMTP services. How do I fix it?

Switch to Agency View > Sub-accounts, click the three dots next to the account, select Manage Client, then open Advanced Settings. Make sure Disable the Add Email Service button in the sub-account Email Services Settings is turned off.

How many SMTP providers can a sub-account have?

Multiple. The same SMTP credentials cannot be added twice — using the same email ID with different integrations is not allowed, and the same provider (e.g., Gmail) cannot be added twice.