Learn how to set up a free Yandex SMTP server to send emails from your website or application. This 2025 guide provides step-by-step instructions for creating a Yandex Mail account, enabling 2FA, and configuring SMTP settings for reliable email delivery.

How to Get a Free SMTP Server from Yandex Mail (2025 Guide)

Looking for a reliable and free SMTP server to send emails from your WordPress site, custom application, or CRM without hitting daily limits? Yandex Mail offers a robust free SMTP service that is a powerful alternative to Gmail and Outlook. This step-by-step 2025 guide will walk you through the entire process—from creating a Yandex account to configuring your application—so you can start sending transactional and marketing emails for free.

Why Choose Yandex Mail for Free SMTP?

Before we dive in, here’s why Yandex is a great choice for a free SMTP server:

• Completely Free: No costs for basic SMTP usage.
• Generous Limits: Allows you to send a substantial number of emails per day (check current limits on Yandex's official page).
• High Reliability: Yandex is a major tech company with reliable email infrastructure.
• Good Deliverability: When configured correctly, emails have a good chance of landing in the inbox instead of spam.
• Secure: Supports modern authentication and encryption protocols.

Prerequisites: What You'll Need

1. A Yandex Mail account (we'll create this in Step 1).
2. Access to the website or application where you want to configure the SMTP settings (e.g., WordPress, cPanel, a custom script).

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

Step 1: Create a Yandex Mail Account

1. Go to the Yandex Mail signup page.
2. Fill in your details: First name, last name, desired login (which will be your email address), and password.
3. Provide your mobile number for verification (this is mandatory for enabling SMTP).
4. Complete the sign-up process and log in to your new Yandex Mail inbox.

Step 2: Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

• Why? Yandex requires an "App Password" for external applications, and to get one, you must first enable 2FA. This enhances security.

1. Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner and go to Account Management.
2. Navigate to Security.
3. Find the Two-factor authentication option and turn it on. Follow the prompts to set it up using an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy.

Step 3: Generate an App Password

This is the password you will use in your SMTP configuration instead of your main account password.

1. In the Security section of your account, find the App passwords option.
2. Click Create a new password.
3. Give it a recognizable name (e.g., "My Website SMTP").
4. Yandex will generate a 16-character password. Copy this password immediately and store it securely. You won't be able to see it again!

Step 4: Yandex SMTP Server Settings

Here are the SMTP details you need to use in your application:

• SMTP Server: smtp.yandex.com
• Port: 465 (for SSL) or 587 (for TLS)
• Username: Your full Yandex email address (e.g., yourname@yandex.com)
• Password: The App Password you generated in Step 3 (not your main account password!)
• Encryption: SSL/TLS

Configuration Examples

Configuring in WordPress (Using WP Mail SMTP Plugin)

1. Install and activate the "WP Mail SMTP" plugin.
2. Go to WP Mail SMTP > Settings.
3. Select "Other SMTP" as your mailer.
4. Fill in the settings:
   • SMTP Host: smtp.yandex.com
   • Encryption: Use SSL (for port 465) or TLS (for port 587)
   • SMTP Port: 465 or 587
   • Authentication: ON
   • Username: Your full Yandex email
   • Password: The App Password
5. Save settings and send a test email.

Configuring in a PHP Script

php

<?php
use PHPMailer\PHPMailer\PHPMailer;
use PHPMailer\PHPMailer\SMTP;
use PHPMailer\PHPMailer\Exception;

require 'path/to/PHPMailer/src/Exception.php';
require 'path/to/PHPMailer/src/PHPMailer.php';
require 'path/to/PHPMailer/src/SMTP.php';

$mail = new PHPMailer(true);
try {
    $mail->isSMTP();
    $mail->Host       = 'smtp.yandex.com';
    $mail->SMTPAuth   = true;
    $mail->Username   = 'your-email@yandex.com';
    $mail->Password   = 'your-app-password';
    $mail->SMTPSecure = PHPMailer::ENCRYPTION_SMTPS;
    $mail->Port       = 465;

    //Recipients
    $mail->setFrom('your-email@yandex.com', 'Your Name');
    $mail->addAddress('recipient@example.com');

    //Content
    $mail->isHTML(true);
    $mail->Subject = 'Test Subject';
    $mail->Body    = 'This is the HTML message body.';

    $mail->send();
    echo 'Message has been sent';
} catch (Exception $e) {
    echo "Message could not be sent. Mailer Error: {$mail->ErrorInfo}";
}
?>

Troubleshooting Common Yandex SMTP Issues

• Authentication Failed: Double-check that you are using the App Password from Step 3, not your main Yandex account password. Also, ensure 2FA is enabled.
• Connection Timeout: Verify you are using the correct port (465 or 587) and that your firewall or hosting provider isn't blocking outbound SMTP connections.
• Emails Going to Spam: Ensure you have set up a "From" address that matches your Yandex email address. Also, avoid sending a high volume of emails suddenly; warm up the account.

Limitations and Best Practices

• Sending Limits: Yandex imposes daily sending limits to prevent spam. Check their official documentation for the latest numbers.
• App Passwords are Key: Never use your primary password. Always use an App Password for security.
• Use for Low to Medium Volume: This setup is perfect for small business websites, contact forms, and low-volume transactional emails. For high-volume sending, consider a dedicated email service like SendGrid or Mailgun.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Yandex SMTP really free?
A: Yes, for personal and low-volume business use, Yandex Mail's SMTP service is completely free.

Q: Can I use Yandex SMTP with any email client or application?
A: Yes, as long as the application allows you to configure custom SMTP settings, you can use Yandex's server.

Q: What is the difference between port 465 and 587?
A: Port 465 is used for implicit SSL/TLS, where the encryption is established immediately. Port 587 is for explicit TLS (STARTTLS), where the connection starts unencrypted and then upgrades. Both are secure; use whichever is supported by your application.

Q: Why do I need to enable two-factor authentication?
A: Enabling 2FA is a security requirement from Yandex to generate an App Password. This ensures that even if an external application is compromised, your main Yandex account remains secure.

Conclusion

Setting up a free Yandex SMTP server is a straightforward process that can solve your email-sending needs without a budget. By following this 2025 guide, you've secured a reliable email-sending method for your website or application. Remember to always use App Passwords for security and monitor your sending limits to ensure optimal deliverability.