Seeking Suggestions: Free SMTP Service Providers for Notifications? reddit / selfhosted ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 14:47 Anyone have any suggestions for a SMTP service provider with a free tier, that can be used for allowing apps/devices to send notification emails? One that doesn't require a custom domain and doesn't make you jump through hoops with valid credit cards or valid phone numbers? (I use prepaid gift cards and VoIP phone service, a lot of services are starting to detect/deny those these days). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- RedditSlayer2020 · 2023-11-07 14:55 Alot of free email providers which are ad based. Easy Google bro ---------------------------------------------------------------------- mrmclabber · 2023-11-07 15:01 I use mailgun ---------------------------------------------------------------------- t3abagger · 2023-11-07 15:03 Mailgun or AWS SES are pretty close to free. I used them and it's pennies a month for me, if that. No one is not going to make you set up a payment method since that would open the floodgates for Spammers, phishers, etc. And anything that would allow that sort of service would probably already be in the RBL's and worthless. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- icebear80 · 2023-11-07 15:11 You are basically asking for a free open relay? These days are I’ve since a long time… You won’t find anything like it anymore. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 12_nick_12 · 2023-11-07 15:11 I second SES. Does require your own domains, but those are cheap. If you get a domain with just numbers that ends in .xyz it's like $2/yr. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MistiInTheStreet · 2023-11-07 15:12 https://laposte.net/accueil ---------------------------------------------------------------------- madroots2 · 2023-11-07 15:14 not sure but since this is selfhosted, you may as well spawn your own mailcow instance, for the purposes you described seem like a perfect fit. Along with a cheap 2 usd domain. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Jwt4000 · 2023-11-07 15:25 Brevo might do what you need. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BrodyBuster · 2023-11-07 15:36 I use nullmailer and mailrise to send pushover notifications. https://github.com/YoRyan/mailrise ---------------------------------------------------------------------- thekrautboy · 2023-11-07 15:43 Selfhosted Gotify with SMTP plugin. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- wallacebrf · 2023-11-07 15:44 i used to use the free tier of smtp2go and now pay for the higher tier. if i recall correctly the free tier gives you 1000 messages per month ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 16:12 Just tested, no CC needed but you do have to provide a valid SMS to verify the account (VoIP works though). Recipient addresses need to be added and verified before they can be used (which is good, to prevent open relay). However I sent a test email and it bounced back from the recipient for lack of SPF/DKIM using their sandbox domain (a account specific random subdomain of their site, for testing before adding a real domain). There was an option to add DKIM, I clicked it, but it doesn't appear to do anything on the sandbox domain, I'll wait 2 days and check if anything changes. Overall seems like a good service though (I like it has message logs for debugging issues), but if it ends up not working without a custom domain, it won't work for my purposes. Thanks ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 16:15 Some services out there require adding recipients to a list and they need to be confirmed before they can receive. Pure open relay would just be a disaster. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 16:21 I was hoping to find an existing service option so I can get rid of my paid Zoho account and current domain (only thing still tied to them is SMTP notifications from a couple monitoring apps). I've used SendGrid with some things I've setup for others in the past, but they require a custom domain and have an itchy trigger finger on the account delete button these days... (ah! someone sneezed in Nauru, DELETE ALL!!!1!1!!!) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- mrmclabber · 2023-11-07 16:22 You need to add that information to your DNS domain record. You need to own the domain the email is coming from. It usually takes ~5 minutes to complete and propagate. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- trisanachandler · 2023-11-07 16:23 So far I've been really happy with them. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MundanePercentage674 · 2023-11-07 16:24 Gmail ---------------------------------------------------------------------- superglue_chute115 · 2023-11-07 16:24 I use PurelyMail ---------------------------------------------------------------------- yetisoldier · 2023-11-07 16:26 I selfhost Mail Rise for local SMTP emails and then it talks to Pushover to send out notifications based on the email. All free and pretty easy to set up. Though I think I did pay like $5 (one time deal) to pushover. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 16:27 I was trying to get away from a custom domain... (my current notification setup uses one), I had high hopes for MailGun though... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 16:35 This appears to be an email service (which would work). I'll loop back around to testing it in a bit. (although it doesn't appear to want to let me sign up: when clicking "Se créer un compte" ("Create an account") it says, "Vous n'êtes pas autorisé(e) à accéder à cette page." ("You are not allowed to access this page."). Geo-block maybe? (I'm in the US) Do you know if it provides SMTP access on a free tier? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SnidelyRemarkable · 2023-11-07 16:36 I’ve been using DynuDNS and their SMTP Relay for some time. Never an issue, and for only $10 a year it’s not a bad deal at all. May want to give them a look. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [deleted] · 2023-11-07 16:42 [removed] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- r0zzy5 · 2023-11-07 16:45 I use the "Email Delivery" service on the oracle cloud always free tier ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 16:46 I tested MailGun from another reply suggestion (waiting to see if it works without custom domain though due to a SPF/DKIM thing) I expected AWS to be a bit more of a hassle to sign up, but it took my prepaid card and VoIP number, working on testing it now... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 16:47 Gmail doesn't accept VoIP numbers for account signup, I've tried... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Defiant-Ad-5513 · 2023-11-07 16:50 Some services don't support OAuth sadly ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sam956 · 2023-11-07 16:58 I use SendGrid and like it ---------------------------------------------------------------------- tledakis · 2023-11-07 17:11 came here to post the same. smtp2go is great for my homelab and just works fine for me ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MundanePercentage674 · 2023-11-07 17:11 May I know what kind of selfhosted you want send SMTP notifications I use GMAIL for everything including fail2ban, firefly III, nextcloud, invoiceninja, healcheck.... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 17:20 Yep, Brevo works (I'd saw it the other day and for some reason didn't try it) I just created an account (no CC needed, collects a bunch of info like address but doesn't check if it's valid, and requires a phone for "verification" but doesn't actually verify it, odd...). Also doesn't require verification of sender or recipient email address for SMTP relay (again, odd) and lets you put anything as the sender address. My tests to the few emails I use end up in spam though (not surprised), but once you flag them as "not spam" future emails go to inbox. This will probably be my solution, thanks ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 17:24 Interesting and fits well with /r/selfhosted , I added it to my notes for potential future use. Thanks! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MundanePercentage674 · 2023-11-07 17:25 What you mean? Just go to Google settings and create App password and you are done ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 17:36 Thanks for the suggestion, /u/BrodyBuster suggested mailrise (which I also hadn't encountered) slightly before you, it can push to online services (as well as Gotify too). I added Gotify to my list of useful stuff for potential future use. Thanks ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Defiant-Ad-5513 · 2023-11-07 17:40 Not available anymore. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MundanePercentage674 · 2023-11-07 17:46 Did you enable 2fa? Just go to Google settings=>2-Step Verification=>app password and create one ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MundanePercentage674 · 2023-11-07 17:47 Did you enable 2fa? Just go to Google settings=>2-Step Verification=>app password and create one ---------------------------------------------------------------------- InvaderGlorch · 2023-11-07 17:53 yeah, do this. mailrise to pushover, no email needed and you can get it on multiple devices. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Defiant-Ad-5513 · 2023-11-07 17:53 Oh tanks i tought they removed it completely ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MundanePercentage674 · 2023-11-07 17:55 Your welcome! I use it for everything on my selfhosted to monitor cronjob and for user ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Altair12311 · 2023-11-07 17:57 it haves good privacy laws? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 17:58 I was unable to test this service; it doesn't accept VoIP numbers and also doesn't accept email addresses from large email providers (icloud/outlook/yahoo/proton/etc), but allows email addresses generated from disposablemail.com though... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- mattzuba · 2023-11-07 18:13 Not email, but self hosted ntfy server with Cloudflare tunnels and let's encrypt certs for easy access off and on network. I get enough emails ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 18:15 I'm aware Gmail will work (as will any email provider that allows SMTP), but I deleted my Google accounts many years ago. At the moment (since I'm moving and my main systems/network are packed away), I only have DriveDx (SMART monitoring) and some custom scripts that send notifications. My domain/zoho subscriptions are up for renewal, so I'm looking to switch to something else for SMTP so I can drop them. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MachDiamonds · 2023-11-07 18:26 > Edit: SES is only "12 Months Trial" not part of the "Always Free" tier, still should be a very cheap option though... They charge by mail volume. I'm always under 100 emails and it's free. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 18:41 /u/BrodyBuster suggested that earlier in a comment, it's an interesting idea; I'd added it to my list of useful stuff and may probably go that way in the future. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- lilolalu · 2023-11-07 18:42 Gmail? Outlook? You can configure them as smart hosts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 18:48 Good to know, thanks for the info :) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 18:51 Actually might be nice having all important network notifications having their own notification method, rather than getting buried in emails with everything else... I'll probably go this way in the future. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- wallacebrf · 2023-11-07 18:54 i was not aware of that as i have a custom domain name for my systems and i use the [admin@mydomain.com](mailto:admin@mydomain.com) email address for all of my homelab needs ---------------------------------------------------------------------- wallacebrf · 2023-11-07 18:55 i honestly do not know, i only have automated messages from the many things in my homelab that can message me send notifications. there is little i am worried about from a privacy perfective with those messages. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 18:56 Thanks, I was trying to eliminate/reduce paid services though. So far Brevo & AWS SES as SMTP relays are winning (and MailRise is looking like an interesting prospect to put in place in the future) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 19:06 I use to use SendGrid when setting things up for others, but they've been pretty heavy on the Ban Hammer recently. I helped someone recently with a system I'd setup for them, an issue they should have received a predictive notification about, but SendGrid had deleted the account, hence no notification... I tried to create a SendGrid for me before posting here, but they kept insta-deleting the accounts and banning the email address from retrying (not sure why, my final try was without any VPN, using a real mailing address, and I tried both my icloud & protonmail addresses). But between deleting old (non-abusive) accounts without warning and preventing creating accounts before even verifying the information, I just don't trust them anymore for reliable service (even if I paid them). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- cynix · 2023-11-07 19:41 If you’re using Pushover anyway, you can just configure their MX server as the SMTP server in whatever app that’s sending these emails. Don’t need an extra service in the middle. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- madroots2 · 2023-11-07 20:04 In that case, you can use my service if you want. I have several clients whom I host their sites and I also have a mailserver from purelymail. I can create an email address on my domain and give you smtp if you want along with access for management like password resets etc. DM me if you want. There are some soft limits in place, you wont get blocked by normal use, but if certain treshold gets reached, it lights up because no marketing mails are allowed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 21:07 Thanks for the suggestion, they give a decent amount of free too. Required a valid credit card to verify account and wouldn't accept prepaid cards, so was unable to completely create an account. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 21:16 It's SMTP integration (for things that only notify via SMTP) seems to be via mailrise, which a few other's have suggested. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll add it to my notes. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 21:46 I used unique addresses on a custom domain for everything for many years, thinking from a total control over email (can move services freely) and security in case of website breaches point of view (exposed email only used on that site, all other sites have different emails). I moved away from that when I started thinking more from the privacy side (\*puts on tinfoil hat\*), that having the same tld exclusively used by just me made it significantly easier for linking info together, plus the extra costs for email/tld. My tld also contained a number, which I'd discovered some sites don't allow such email addresses to be used... I'm now using a combination of iCloud+ Hide My Email and a handful of other emails for very important low leak risk stuff instead. But having everything with its' own email address made it easy to spot who was selling/leaking info (mostly online marketplace sellers, a few smaller sites and a few larger sites). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 21:58 Thanks for the generous offer, but I'm going to go with Brevo & AWS SES for now and play with mailrise when I get my main systems/network set back up after the move. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- r0zzy5 · 2023-11-07 22:10 Ah, it's been such a long time since I set up my account I must have forgotten that it needed a valid credit card ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MistiInTheStreet · 2023-11-07 22:14 Hello, it’s a French email provider. Maybe geo-restriction as you said. I only suggested them since I know it’s quite easy to use their SMTP server. Then I would not use them for any mass mailing. Cheers ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 22:34 Thanks for the suggestion though, your comment may still help others in that region looking :) I did try again with my VPN off and not using Private Browsing mode, but still the same message. When I setup people for mass mailings, it's better to use a marketing platform like Zoho Campaigns or MailChimp, since they give feedback and statistics on what happens to the emails (bounces/optouts/reads/etc). Thanks ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-07 22:40 It may not have a while ago or they changed the method of validating payment methods... (the prepaid cards I use do have available funds, but I've been running into this more often these days online, there seems to be better methods of detecting card type and phone number type these days). Still a nice suggestion that may help others, thanks again ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Door_Vegetable · 2023-11-07 23:06 Not self hosted but if you have an iCloud subscription you get free custom domain email hosting for $2 a month which allows you to send emails via their smtp. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- hmoff · 2023-11-07 23:12 How are you going to make this work without a custom domain? You can't send from other domains, their SPF records should prevent this. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SysAdmin-Universe · 2023-11-07 23:26 I think my largest SES bill ever was $0.11. Yes, eleven cents. And I was spamming myself due to the fact my server was offline for a couple days. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- No_Advice_1240 · 2023-11-07 23:47 I use Shoutrrr and discord. Not what you asked for but maybe it'll give you some ideas. https://github.com/containrrr/shoutrrr ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kindrudekid · 2023-11-08 02:23 I paid onetime fee for pushover and called it a day. Most of my stuff supports apprise and those that don’t a simple script is all I need ---------------------------------------------------------------------- cybrian · 2023-11-08 04:25 Could you link me to more information, please? I couldn’t find any documentation on a Pushover MX server. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- xxtkx · 2023-11-08 05:54 Brevo (formerly sendinblue) worked great for me for a long time. I use proton's smtp now though since I am visionary. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- hucknz · 2023-11-08 07:32 Make sure to downgrade your account. They default to a paid plan and don’t warn they’re about to charge you. They were good about refunding the charge but it’s a hassle. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fancy-You3022 · 2023-11-08 08:51 There’s two different options I use. If the app allows you to input the smtp account information then I simply use google. For private notifications, such as from my server, router, private apps this works perfectly. If the app has the option built in, an example would be an appliance or a Linux virtual machine, I simply have the OS handle it through Sendmail. It more than likely will show up in spam but it does get received. An example of an email I get this way is CRON-APT errors from root@Web.localdomain. I have these sent to my actual email address. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- jazzyPantaloons · 2023-11-08 10:54 Another vote for send grid. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalrasto73 · 2023-11-09 19:13 Using an email account does seem to be the easiest method after all the things I've tested (though need to periodically clean it up to prevent a build-up of sent items). Sendmail (or using it as a relay to another provider) is a good option though, but depending on the end service's policies, it may be rejected rather than marked as spam (ran into that in testing some other suggestions, depending on their DMARC/DKIM/SPF). Spam shouldn't be a problem though, since senders can be flagged as not-spam. Hm, I just tried creating a gmail account and it required a valid phone number and wouldn't accept my VoIP numbers. Perhaps Google is using some voodoo to decide a safety factor in what information they want to gather to validate a signup is not a bot (existing Google account, browsing behavior, fingerprint, etc) For now I'm using AWS SES (PITA to setup) and will compliment with Mailrise when I get my full systems set back up. Thanks ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Nandry123 · 2023-11-10 00:50 Although not the answer to the question, but I opted for a SMTP2TG in a docker container