SiteGround is one of the few WordPress hosts that includes full email hosting with every plan: unlimited email accounts on the domain, IMAP/POP3 access, webmail, and email forwarding. It also sends WordPress-generated email through the local server (PHP mail() by default) with documented sending limits: 400 emails per hour on StartUp and GrowBig, 800 per hour on GoGeek. SMTP ports are open. SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are configurable through the hosting panel.
Plans start at $17.99/month on renewal (StartUp; intro pricing starts at $2.99/month for the first term).
Email on SiteGround
Bundled email accounts
Every SiteGround plan includes unlimited email accounts at the hosted domain. Each mailbox has a 10 GB storage limit. Access is via IMAP, POP3, or SiteGround’s webmail interface. Email forwarding is built in.
This is a significant differentiator. Kinsta and WP Engine provide zero email hosting; domain email on those platforms requires a separate provider. SiteGround bundles it, which means fewer accounts to manage and one less monthly bill for operators who need basic domain email alongside WordPress.
The trade-off: SiteGround’s email runs on the same shared infrastructure as the website. Deliverability depends on the reputation of the shared server IP, which is shared with other SiteGround customers. A dedicated sending service controls its own IP reputation; SiteGround’s bundled email does not.
WordPress email (wp_mail)
By default, WordPress on SiteGround sends email via PHP’s mail() function through the local server. This works but messages are often unsigned (no DKIM) unless the From address uses a domain with SiteGround email accounts configured and DKIM records set up. Many receiving servers will flag unsigned messages as spam.
SiteGround recommends configuring WordPress to use SMTP instead of PHP mail() for better deliverability. The SiteGround email accounts themselves can serve as the SMTP relay (authenticate with the email account credentials through the hosting server’s SMTP), or a third-party relay can be used.
Sending limits
| Plan | Hourly limit | Daily limit | Max recipients per message |
|---|---|---|---|
| StartUp | 400 | 9,600 | 40 |
| GrowBig | 400 | 9,600 | 40 |
| GoGeek | 800 | 19,200 | 80 |
These limits are generous compared to managed WordPress hosts. Kinsta’s entry-level limit is 150/day; WP Engine’s is undisclosed but described as minimal. SiteGround’s 400/hour on the cheapest plan handles most WordPress transactional email workloads comfortably.
DNS and authentication
SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records can be configured through SiteGround’s Site Tools panel. SiteGround provides documentation for 
setting up all three. When using SiteGround’s own email accounts for sending, the DKIM records sign outbound mail from those accounts.
What SiteGround does not provide
Dedicated IP for email. Outbound email shares the server’s IP with other customers on the same shared hosting node. For operators where deliverability is critical (high-volume WooCommerce, membership sites), a dedicated sending service with its own IP reputation is the safer choice.
Email delivery monitoring. No bounce tracking, no open/click metrics, no suppression lists. The bundled email is fire-and-forget. Third-party relays provide the observability.
When to add a third-party relay
SiteGround’s bundled email stack is adequate for most small to medium WordPress sites. Add a dedicated sending service (Postmark, SMTP2GO, Mailgun) when:
- Deliverability issues arise from shared IP reputation.
- The site needs bounce webhooks, suppression lists, or delivery analytics.
- Email volume approaches the hourly or daily limits.
- The operator needs guaranteed inbox placement for critical transactional email (password resets, order confirmations).
SMTP ports are open on SiteGround, so both SMTP-based and API-based plugin integrations work without restriction.