PHP Mail vs. SMTP Mail - Which do you use?

[Media Corp.]

Hello,

 

We are setting up our new install of WHMCS and would like to know which mail configuration YOU use. We have tried both and realize the 'drawbacks' to each.

 

Your input would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

1) Which mail config do you use (PHP Mail or SMTP Mail)?

2) Why?

3) What should we be aware of for either?

 

Cheers,

Derek

[brianr]

Running SMTP mail so we can use Domainkeys and SPF from our regular mailserver

[mrprez]

Could never get SMTP to work.

[Media Corp.]

Thanks to everyone who's voted so far. This really helps!

 

[Gears]

I tried getting SMTP to work with Google Apps but had no luck

[ganesh.rao]

I tried getting SMTP to work with Google Apps but had no luck

Local Mail Server?

 

 

I like PHPMail anyway!

[ServMap]

I use PHPmail

[RPS]

Just bumping up an old thread. Someone else mentioned that e-mails sent using PHPMail have a greater chance of making it into a spam folder compared to SMTP. I don't know why that would be, maybe someone else could elaborate?

 

Any other comments/suggestions regarding PHP Mail vs SMTP Mail?

[zoe]

Im using smtp but still dont have it working 100%

I receive emails from clients that doesnt receive emails generated on WHMC system... so dont know what to do.

[RPS]

I receive emails from clients that doesnt receive emails generated on WHMC system... so dont know what to do.

- What do you mean?

[zoe]

I mean system send emails but some providers dont get it... but if I send same email from my webmail (using same pop3 account) they reach destiny...

Providers with problems are gmail, hotmail, etc

[brianoz]

Someone else mentioned that e-mails sent using PHPMail have a greater chance of making it into a spam folder compared to SMTP. I don't know why that would be, maybe someone else could elaborate?

I beleive this may be due to the PHP mail headers. Some providers detect those and use them as a spamminess indicator if I remember correctly.

[internetbrother]

ok I use google aps and do not know what to put in my smpt can any body help please

[rodeoXtreme]

We use SMTP Mail; changed our Port number from the default 25 to 26 and have never had a problem with it. We never used PhP Mail because many ISP's look at this type of emails as potential spam.

[MACscr]

I think its very foolish to use php mail, but thats just me. I wish it never existed.

[wizzy420]

We use PHP Mail because the WHMCS SMTP method is broken.

 

If you don't use SMTP Authentication, WHMCS fails to use the value of "System Emails From Name" and "System Emails From Email" in the your configuration -- thus all your e-mail are sent from a blank from address. Which basically causes all your e-mail to be rejected.

 

We wish we could use SMTP instead of PHP, but unless Matt fixes it, we can't

[RPS]

If you don't use SMTP Authentication, WHMCS fails to use the value of "System Emails From Name" and "System Emails From Email" in the your configuration -- thus all your e-mail are sent from a blank from address. Which basically causes all your e-mail to be rejected.

- Works fine for me. If this was the case, I am sure it would either be removed, or others would be reporting the same thing.

 

Might be a conflict with WHMCS and the server it is on?

 

Have you opened a ticket with Matt?

[wizzy420]

Yeah I did, just now.

 

I did a test with SMTPAUTH - all the mails come "From" the address I am using for SMTPAUTH instead of the values I have in my "System Emails ..." entries under config->general->mail

 

They have a correct "Reply To: " but it still looks odd with a 'From: ' with a totally different address, in a different domain.

[RPS]

Let us know if Matt doesn't get it fixed.

[wizzy420]

- Works fine for me. If this was the case, I am sure it would either be removed, or others would be reporting the same thing.

 

Might be a conflict with WHMCS and the server it is on?

 

Have you opened a ticket with Matt?

 

Maybe it could just be why 50%+ use PHP Mail? A lot of people would be happy with one or the other working, and not bothering ... that's what I did until I saw this thread and decided to try SMTP again and watch my EXIM logs.

[wizzy420]

Matt says you must use SMTPAUTH, not using it doesn't work, and that the from address will always be what you use for SMTPAUTH values.

 

Not sure why he's doing it this way, I send mail all the time with different From:s using a single SMTPAUTH login, but I will assume he has a good reason for choosing to do this.

 

My problem is I can't use the outbound server that has my customer support e-mail, I need to use a local mail server for outbound. Not any requirement I suppose, but it's on my local network and makes a lot more sense to use it ... just no matching SMTPAUTH login for that server.

[XN-Matt]

Matt says you must use SMTPAUTH, not using it doesn't work, and that the from address will always be what you use for SMTPAUTH values.

 

Not sure why he's doing it this way, I send mail all the time with different From:s using a single SMTPAUTH login, but I will assume he has a good reason for choosing to do this.

 

My problem is I can't use the outbound server that has my customer support e-mail, I need to use a local mail server for outbound. Not any requirement I suppose, but it's on my local network and makes a lot more sense to use it ... just no matching SMTPAUTH login for that server.

 

BUT by doing it like this means you have to use PHPMail if you want to have different from addresses as already noted in the thread.

 

That why we *have* to use PHPmail, although I would prefer to use SMTP.

[mrprez]

I finally got mine to work. Used localhost for the SMTP Host and the email account and password. Works just fine.

 

John

[darren.nolan]

My SMTP account is no-reply@mysite.com (using a password).

 

I can still send out from support@mysite.com no troubles using SMTP. SMTP auth is just to ensure that this user calling the function is allowed access to the server and isn't a spammer.

[MACscr]

sounds more like a poorly configured server. I honestly wish phpmail was never invented. Emails should never be allowed to be sent without authentication and authentication for that exact account IMHO.