Discover How to Choose the Right SMTP Port (Port 25, 587, 465, or 2525)

There’s a lot of talk about SMTP ports recently, so, the professionals at ClickWhale thought it best to construct a blog educating our audience more about them. These unseen pathways are directly responsible for our ability to communicate via email, which is to say that they affect everyone. These abbreviations can seem intimidating, but we’re going to explain the purpose of SMTP ports in plain language throughout this blog. But first, to better digest the idea, let’s imagine we’re sending a letter to a friend. 

To ensure the letter gets to the right person or place, we need to get it into the right mailbox. How do we do this? We address it plainly with their name, mailing address, and postal codes. Now, let’s apply the same thought process to sending an email. Like we address the envelope to drop it in the mail, our computer does something similar. Instead of a mailbox, however, it uses something called an SMTP port.

What is an SMTP port? 🔐

It stands for, Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It’s a fancy way of saying “the rules for sending emails.” The “port” is like a special door on your computer that the email goes through to reach the internet. And you guessed it, there are different doors (or ports) for different tasks.

Sometimes, people opt to manually choose their own SMTP port vs. trusting standard technology default settings. They would opt to do this primarily for security purposes. Think big businesses that need to protect internal and external email communication that may harbor sensitive client data. 

Choosing the right SMTP port is important for these businesses because it helps ensure emails get delivered safely via an SMTP secure port. Using the wrong port might result in an email getting lost, being blocked, or unsecured. So, picking the correct port is like choosing the best route to ensure an email gets to where it needs to go!

So, what is an SMTP port, what port is SMTP, and what port does SMTP use? We’re going to discuss this and the other common ports like SMTP port 25, port 2525, port 465, and SMTP port 587, too. Let’s get started!

SMTP’s: How Do They Work?

Simply put, every email app talks to an SMTP server port number when you send an email. This server helps move an email from your computer to the recipient’s inbox. The email app, also known as a Mail User Agent (MUA), gets the email ready and sends it to a Mail Transfer Agent (MTA). The MTA’s job is to pass an email through networks to the recipient’s MTA.

This works in two ways:

Sending Emails: The email sending process involves a back-and-forth conversation between your email app and the server. Your email is made up of two main parts: the header and the body. The header includes details like who’s sending the email, who’s receiving it, and what it’s about. The body is the actual message you’re sending.

Receiving Emails: On the other end, the recipient’s email port checks for new emails regularly. When a new one shows up, it alerts the user. The recipient can then open their email app and read the message.

Now that you know how SMTP ports help send and receive emails, let’s discuss the different types of ports used for different purposes. Would you believe us if we told you that each type of port has its specific job in managing the flow of data across the internet? Keep reading to understand these differences better. 

What Are The Different SMTP Ports Available ⤵️

Having options means you’re never stuck—there’s always a path forward, and that’s the true beauty of variety. The beauty of having multiple SMTP port options lies in their flexibility and adaptability. Like a well-stocked toolbox, each port has its unique purpose, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your needs. 

Whether you prioritize security, reliability, or compatibility, there’s an SMTP server port tailored for every situation. This variety of ports for SMTP ensures that your email communication remains smooth, secure, and efficient, no matter the circumstances. 

There are a few different ports, each has its specific job. But if you’re still confused wondering things like what is port 587, or what is port 25 and what is port 25 used for? – here’s the breakdown:

1. Port 25: This is the original port for sending emails. It’s been around forever and the port 25 protocol is still used for sending emails between servers (like from Gmail to Hotmail). But because it’s so old, it doesn’t have much security. That’s why many email providers block it now.

2. Port 587: The 587 port is the default SMTP port for sending emails today. It’s like the new and improved version of Port 25. It’s reliable, safe, and a secure SMTP port, which means your email is less likely to get hacked or blocked. 

3. Port 465: This port was originally used as a secure mail port, and though supported by most servers, it’s not as popular anymore. 

4. Port 2525: An unofficial and uncommon port that some email services use. 

But which SMTPs port is best to use? How do you know which one to choose?

Choosing the Right SMTP Port 🤏

Now that you know there are different types of ports, it’s important to understand how to pick the right one for your needs. Choosing the correct port can ensure your email gets delivered safely and efficiently.

• Port 587 is usually the best choice for sending emails. Because of the limitations and security issues with port 25, port 587 was introduced. This change suggests separating the roles of sending and relaying emails to boost security and make rules easier to enforce. Port 587 is a safe and reliable choice for sending emails securely.

• Port 465 is like a backup to Port 587. Originally set up for secure email transmission using SSL encryption, known as SMTPS, port 465 failed to become the official standard and was eventually replaced by port 587. Even though port 465 is no longer the preferred choice, some services still use it, especially for older systems. 

• Port 2525 is another alternative, but it’s less common. Port 2525 is handy when the more commonly used ports are blocked by ISPs or hosting providers. Port 2525 supports TLS encryption, making it a popular choice in situations where other SMTP ports can’t be used.

• Port 25 was set up as the standard channel for sending emails. Specifically designed to help email servers pass messages to one another, but over time became linked with spam and malware. As a result, many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and hosting companies started blocking or limiting their use for sending emails from regular mail servers. 

If you’re wondering which one of the following port numbers is used for email traffic? We recommend that you stick with Port 587 for most situations—it’s like using the safest, most reliable route to deliver your emails!

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right SMTP Port 🈺

When picking the right SMTP port for sending emails, you need to think about a few key things. These include how secure the port is, whether it works with your email provider, any restrictions your Internet Service Provider (ISP) might have, and what you specifically need for sending emails. 

Let’s break down these factors:

Security Considerations

Some ports offer encryption, which is important for keeping your emails secure. For example, port 465 uses SSL/TLS encryption, making it more secure than other options. What’s more, different SMTP ports offer different levels of security:

1. Port 25 is the old standard for sending emails but is often blocked by ISPs to prevent spam. It doesn’t support encryption, making it less secure.

2. Port 465 was originally used for secure SMTP connections (SMTPS) using SSL/TLS encryption. While it’s less common now, some servers still support it.

3. Port 587 is now the go-to port for sending emails securely. It supports StartTLS, which starts as an unencrypted connection but can upgrade to a secure one.

4. Port 2525 is another option that supports TLS encryption. It’s not officially recognized but can be a good backup if other ports are blocked or unavailable.

Compatibility 

The port you choose must be compatible with your email client and server settings. Some older systems might not support the more secure ports. Some email service providers might suggest or need you to use certain ports. For example, port 80 works with many systems, but the SMTP port number doesn’t offer built-in encryption, so it’s not a good choice for sending emails. What’s more, some networks block certain ports for security reasons (think firewalls and network restrictions). If a port is blocked, you won’t be able to send emails using that port.

Speed & Reliability

Some ports might give you better performance when it comes to sending emails. This means they can work faster and be more reliable. How well a port performs depends on the secure email server it’s connected to and the setup of the network. For example, certain ports of SMTP might be less crowded with traffic or better optimized for handling email, leading to quicker delivery and fewer issues. Also, if a port is set up well on the server side and not blocked or slowed down by network rules, it can provide a smoother experience for sending and receiving emails.

Testing & Configuring the Right SMTP Port

Before you settle on the right SMTP port, you should test it to ensure emails are sent properly. Check that your mail server supports the port you chose and that it has the right security features like SSL/TLS. This will help ensure your emails are routed correctly and securely.

Now that you know what factors to consider when choosing an SMTP port, let’s cover why it’s important for email security. 

The Right SMTP Port Makes Email Delivery More Secure 📧

Choosing the right SMTP port for your email takes a bit of effort, but it’s worth it for security. Port 587 is the top choice because it’s like having a high-quality alarm system. It uses TLS to keep your emails safe by putting them in a secret code that only you and the recipient can read.

Using port 587 also helps emails avoid flagging as spam or being blocked by internet providers. It’s like having a VIP pass that lets you get in without any trouble. Plus, it keeps you off blacklists that can stop your emails from getting through. If you can’t use port 587, port 2525 is a good backup option, like having a spare key if you get locked out.

Keep reading if you require guidance on configuring SMTP ports to Windows software programs. Configuring the right SMTP port correctly will help ensure your emails are sent smoothly and securely.

Configuring SMTP Ports for Gmail 🔗

Getting the right SMTP port for Gmail has a lot of benefits. It helps make sure your emails are delivered reliably, keeps your email service up and running smoothly, and makes managing your email easier. Plus, it makes your emails look professional. Setting up the Gmail SMTP port on Windows is easy and only takes a handful of simple steps.

Start by opening the email app or program you use to send emails.

1. Go to Settings: Look for the settings or account setup section in your email app. This is where you can adjust how your email is sent and received.

2. Find SMTP Server Settings: You’ll need to locate the section for SMTP server settings. This is where you enter information about the Gmail server.

3. Enter Gmail’s SMTP Server Information:
   • SMTP Server Address: Type in smtp.gmail.com.
   • SMTP Port Number: Use port 587 for secure connections with StartTLS or port 465 for SSL/TLS encryption. Port 587 is usually the recommended one.

4. Use Your Gmail Credentials: Enter your Gmail email address and password in the required fields. This lets the email app log in to your Gmail account to send emails.

5. Set Up Security: Make sure that the security settings are set to use StartTLS (for port 587) or SSL/TLS (for port 465). This keeps your emails safe and encrypted. If you already have ‘2-Step Verification’ turned on, you can skip this step. But if you don’t, just click on the ‘2-Step Verification’ option and follow the next steps.

6. Save Your Settings: After entering all the information, save your settings. Your email app should now be set up to send emails using Gmail’s SMTP server.

If everything is set up correctly, you should be able to send emails through Gmail without any issues!

Which SMTP Port Will You Choose?

Remember, choosing the right SMTP port and setting it up correctly ensures your emails are sent securely and efficiently. It’s a simple process, but it’s important to make sure your messages get where they need to go without any problems. 

The link management experts at ClickWhale hope you found this blog helpful! Feel free to share your thoughts on SMTP ports in the comments below.