Self-Hosted SMTP
Self-hosted SMTP refers to running your own Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) server to send and receive emails, rather than relying on third-party email services like Gmail or SendGrid. It involves setting up and managing mail server software (e.g., Postfix, Exim) on your own infrastructure, giving you full control over email delivery, security, and data privacy. This approach is commonly used for transactional emails, newsletters, or internal communication within organizations.
Developers should consider self-hosted SMTP when they need complete control over email infrastructure, such as for high-volume sending, custom routing, or compliance with strict data residency requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA). It's particularly useful in scenarios where third-party services have limitations, like sending rates, cost, or integration flexibility, and for applications where email reliability and deliverability are critical, such as e-commerce notifications or enterprise systems.