What it does
MailBluster provides newsletter design, segmentation, testing, automation and campaign reporting. Brands can use MailBluster-managed sending or connect a supported SMTP provider, with different setup and charging responsibilities for those routes. The free connected-provider plan includes 3,000 sends in total.
The first MailBluster decision is who will run the sending connection. Managed SMTP keeps that infrastructure with MailBluster. Bring Your Own SMTP connects a supported provider such as Amazon SES, Postmark, Mailgun or SMTP2GO, whose production approval and separate charges remain the customer's responsibility. The campaign editor is the same whichever sending route the brand uses.
Once the connection is chosen, the team can build a reusable template, segment by campaign activity or purchases, and compare variants through A/B testing. Reports include opens, clicks, bounces and complaints. Multiple brand users and roles support people sharing that work.
Managed SMTP and another provider cannot be used simultaneously for the same brand. Managed campaigns continue beyond the included allowance with extra-email charges, while the connected-provider arrangement combines MailBluster's charges with the provider bill. Starter allows 3,000 sends in total through your own provider and keeps MailBluster branding. Managed SMTP instead offers a 14-day trial capped at 100 emails per day. Both start with an account and require no card for their free access.
Strengths
- Managed and connected-provider routes support different operational needs
- Campaign activity and purchase data can define newsletter segments
Watch out for
- A brand cannot combine Managed SMTP and another provider simultaneously
- Bring Your Own SMTP requires separate provider approval and charges
- Starter's free sending allowance is a total rather than a monthly reset
Best for
- Teams deciding whether to manage their own email-sending provider
Sources
- MailBluster - Send bulk emails at the least cost (Oct 25, 2026)
- MailBluster pricing (Oct 27, 2026)