How do I integrate an external SMTP with Klaviyo?

Summary

The overwhelming consensus is that Klaviyo does not support integrating an external SMTP server. Experts, email marketers, and Klaviyo's own documentation confirm this. The primary recommendations are to either use alternative SMTP services like Mailgun, Sendgrid, or Mandrill *with* Klaviyo (although it's understood this doesn't *integrate* the SMTP, but uses it in another context), or to migrate to a different email marketing platform that offers SMTP integration, such as ActiveCampaign, Mailjet, Amazon SES or Sendinblue. Technical insights into SMTP setup and relay are useful if considering a platform migration.

Key findings

  • No Native Integration: Klaviyo does not allow direct integration with external SMTP servers.
  • Alternative Services: Using services like Mailgun, Sendgrid, or Mandrill could be an option, but doesn't achieve direct integration.
  • Platform Migration: Migrating to platforms that support external SMTP, like ActiveCampaign, is a recommended solution.
  • SMTP Configuration: Understanding SMTP setup and relay is vital if migrating to a new platform where you manage the SMTP yourself.
  • Klaviyo limitations: Klaviyo is regarded as a more closed ecosystem with less SMTP customisation.

Key considerations

  • Service Evaluation: Evaluate Mailgun, Sendgrid, and Mandrill based on needs, but acknowledge they don't directly integrate with Klaviyo's core email sending.
  • Migration Effort: Assess the resources and complexity involved in migrating email marketing from Klaviyo to another platform.
  • Technical Expertise: Gauge your technical knowledge and resources for managing SMTP settings and configurations on a new platform.
  • Deliverability Impact: Consider the potential impact on email deliverability when switching platforms and managing your own SMTP.
  • Platform Requirements: Determine if the ability to integrate an external SMTP is a crucial requirement for your email marketing strategy.

What email marketers say
10Marketer opinions

The overwhelming consensus is that Klaviyo does not natively support integration with external SMTP servers. Users seeking this functionality are advised to consider migrating to alternative email marketing platforms like ActiveCampaign, Mailjet, Amazon SES, or Sendinblue, or to use services like Mailgun, Sendgrid, or Mandrill.

Key opinions

  • No Direct Integration: Klaviyo's architecture does not permit direct integration with external SMTP servers.
  • Platform Limitations: Klaviyo is a closed system, limiting control over sending infrastructure.
  • Migration Recommended: Users requiring external SMTP should consider migrating to other platforms.
  • Alternative Platforms: Alternative email marketing platforms offering SMTP integration include ActiveCampaign, Mailjet, Amazon SES, and Sendinblue.
  • Alternative Services: Users could consider using services like Mailgun, Sendgrid, or Mandrill instead.

Key considerations

  • Platform Choice: Evaluate alternative email marketing platforms based on SMTP integration capabilities and overall feature sets.
  • Migration Effort: Assess the effort and resources required for migrating from Klaviyo to another platform.
  • Deliverability Impact: Understand how using an external SMTP server affects email deliverability and sender reputation.
  • Control vs. Convenience: Weigh the benefits of having greater control over SMTP settings against the convenience of using Klaviyo's built-in sending infrastructure.
  • Business Needs: Identify if external SMTP integration is a core business requirement justifying platform change.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit mentions that Klaviyo is a closed system and it’s not possible to use your own SMTP server. They recommend looking into platforms like ActiveCampaign if you need that level of control.

May 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email Marketer from LitExtension shares that if you're not happy with Klaviyo's native SMTP, your best option is to migrate your email marketing to a platform that allows external SMTP integration. They provide a guide for migrating from Klaviyo.

December 2024 - LitExtension Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from G2 mentions Klaviyo's lack of SMTP integration as a potential drawback for users needing more control over their sending infrastructure.

December 2023 - G2
Marketer view

Email marketer from TrustRadius highlights the importance of SMTP flexibility when choosing an email marketing platform, suggesting that users evaluate options like Sendinblue if SMTP control is critical.

January 2024 - TrustRadius
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks states that Klaviyo does not offer the ability to hook into your own SMTP.

May 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum user discusses the limitations of Klaviyo regarding SMTP control and suggests exploring platforms like Mailjet or Amazon SES for greater flexibility.

February 2023 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stack Overflow user indicates it is not possible to directly integrate an external SMTP server with Klaviyo for sending emails. They suggest exploring alternative email marketing platforms if this functionality is crucial.

February 2024 - Stack Overflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks states to not integrate an external SMTP to Klaviyo and to use Mailgun, Sendgrid, or Mandrill instead.

August 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora states that Klaviyo does not allow you to bring your own SMTP server. The user suggests considering other platforms with more flexible SMTP options.

September 2021 - Quora
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks states that Klaviyo does not offer the ability to hook into your own SMTP.

May 2023 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
3Expert opinions

Experts generally agree that integrating an external SMTP with Klaviyo is not directly possible. The recommendations lean towards using alternative services like Mailgun, Sendgrid, or Mandrill. Furthermore, maintaining a properly configured SMTP server is crucial for deliverability, suggesting that if such control is necessary, switching platforms away from Klaviyo should be considered. Insights into SMTP relay setup are helpful for those considering switching to another platform.

Key opinions

  • No Direct Integration: It's not possible to integrate an external SMTP with Klaviyo.
  • Alternative Services: Services like Mailgun, Sendgrid, and Mandrill are recommended as alternatives.
  • SMTP Importance: Proper SMTP configuration is critical for email deliverability.
  • Platform Change Consideration: If SMTP control is vital, consider switching from Klaviyo.
  • SMTP Relay Insight: Understanding SMTP relay setup is valuable when switching platforms.

Key considerations

  • Service Evaluation: Evaluate the suitability of Mailgun, Sendgrid, or Mandrill for your needs.
  • Deliverability Focus: Prioritize proper SMTP configuration for optimal email deliverability.
  • Platform Flexibility: Determine if the limitations of Klaviyo's SMTP options outweigh its other benefits.
  • Technical Knowledge: Assess your technical expertise regarding SMTP setup and maintenance.
  • Long-Term Strategy: Consider your long-term email marketing strategy and the importance of SMTP control within that strategy.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests not integrating an external SMTP to Klaviyo and using Mailgun, Sendgrid, or Mandrill instead.

May 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spamresource details about SMTP relay setup, it highlights technical aspects of SMTP servers. Though it doesn't directly address Klaviyo, it provides valuable insight for setting up your own SMTP server if you were to switch away from Klaviyo for this functionality. This is on a page discussing port 25 issues.

June 2022 - Spamresource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains while not directly about Klaviyo, Laura Atkins emphasises the importance of having a properly configured and maintained SMTP server for email deliverability. Since Klaviyo doesn't allow external SMTP, this reinforces the need for a platform that offers such control if deliverability is a concern.

March 2024 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Official documentation confirms that Klaviyo does not support integration with external SMTP providers. While Klaviyo utilizes its own infrastructure, documentation from SendGrid, Mailgun, Amazon SES, and ActiveCampaign offer insight into SMTP integration practices, beneficial for users considering migration from Klaviyo to platforms that do support external SMTP.

Key findings

  • Klaviyo Restriction: Klaviyo's documentation explicitly states the platform does not allow external SMTP integration.
  • General SMTP Knowledge: Documentation from SendGrid, Mailgun, Amazon SES, and ActiveCampaign provides general information on SMTP setup and relaying.
  • Migration Context: The provided documentation offers context for users contemplating a shift to platforms enabling external SMTP.

Key considerations

  • Platform Evaluation: Assess alternative email marketing platforms based on their SMTP integration capabilities.
  • Technical Expertise: Evaluate your technical understanding of SMTP configurations and setup requirements.
  • Alternative Service Choice: Decide whether services like SendGrid, Mailgun, or Amazon SES are appropriate for your email marketing needs.
  • Migration Impact: Understand how migrating from Klaviyo impacts your existing email marketing workflows.
  • Infrastructure Control: Determine the level of control needed over your email sending infrastructure.
Technical article

Documentation from Mailgun details how to set up SMTP relay. Useful for users considering switching from Klaviyo to Mailgun to achieve SMTP integration.

July 2021 - Mailgun
Technical article

Documentation from ActiveCampaign explains how to integrate external SMTP providers with ActiveCampaign. This provides context on SMTP integrations generally, which can be useful if migrating from Klaviyo.

March 2023 - ActiveCampaign
Technical article

Documentation from Klaviyo explains that Klaviyo does not support the use of third-party SMTP providers to send email. Klaviyo is designed to work with its own sending infrastructure and does not allow users to connect external SMTP servers.

February 2022 - Klaviyo
Technical article

Documentation from SendGrid explains how to integrate SendGrid with different platforms. Since Klaviyo doesn't support external SMTP, this provides context on how SMTP integrations generally work, which can be useful if migrating from Klaviyo.

July 2024 - SendGrid
Technical article

Documentation from Amazon SES explains the SMTP settings and configurations for using SES as an SMTP relay. This is useful for understanding SMTP setup in general if switching from Klaviyo.

September 2024 - Amazon SES