Use TurboMTA as the SMTP server for MailWizz, Acelle and Mautic
Campaign software such as MailWizz, Acelle and Mautic builds and schedules email but needs an SMTP server to deliver it. Any of them can use TurboMTA: create an SMTP user, add a custom SMTP delivery server with your mail hostname, port 587 and the credentials, and set SPF, DKIM and DMARC for the sending domain.
How the pieces fit together
A self-hosted email marketing tool handles lists, templates, campaigns and reports. It does not deliver mail to Gmail or Outlook itself: it hands each message to a mail transfer agent (MTA) over SMTP. TurboMTA is that MTA. You keep your campaign tool and add a delivery server you control, with your own IPs and no per-email fee.
These are generic SMTP connections. We do not claim certified or official integrations: every product differs in bounce handling and settings, so keep its documentation open while you follow these steps.
Step by step
- 1. Install TurboMTA on your VPS and set up the sending domain with reverse DNS, SPF, DKIM and DMARC (see our VPS guide; free setup is included).
- 2. In TurboMTA, create an SMTP user for the application and note the username and password.
- 3. In the campaign tool, add a custom SMTP delivery server (often called delivery server, sending server or SMTP transport).
- 4. Enter your mail hostname (for example mail.example.com), port 587 with STARTTLS (or 465 for implicit TLS), and the SMTP user's credentials.
- 5. Set the From address to a domain you authenticated, and send a test to your own inbox. Check the headers for spf=pass, dkim=pass and dmarc=pass.
- 6. Start with a small engaged segment and follow the IP warm-up schedule before you send the full list.
Settings at a glance
| Setting | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SMTP host | mail.example.com | Your mail hostname; the A record must match the PTR of your IP |
| Port | 587 | Use 465 if your application needs implicit TLS |
| Encryption | STARTTLS (TLS) | Needs a valid certificate on the mail hostname |
| Username and password | SMTP user created in TurboMTA | One user per application makes limits and logs easier to read |
| From address | news@example.com | Domain must pass SPF and DKIM and align for DMARC |
| Rate limit | Set per domain in TurboMTA | Hold each mailbox provider to the pace it accepts |
Values to enter in almost any SMTP-capable application. Replace the examples with your own.
Bounces, complaints and unsubscribes
Your campaign tool owns the list, so it must also own unsubscribes and suppression: make sure one-click unsubscribe headers are added and that hard bounces are removed from the list. Check how your application receives bounce information (some read a bounce mailbox, some use webhooks). TurboMTA keeps its own suppression list and has webhooks and an API, which you can use to feed delivery events back to your own systems.
Common problems
- Authentication fails on port 587: check that the SMTP user exists and that STARTTLS is on.
- Mail is accepted but lands in spam: check SPF, DKIM, DMARC and PTR first, then your list quality and volume ramp.
- Messages stay queued: look at the dashboard for deferrals from one provider and lower its rate limit.
- Connection times out: outbound port 25 may be blocked by your VPS provider (see our port 25 guide).
Keep reading
- Turn a VPS into an email server: The DNS and install steps.
- IP warm-up schedule: Ramp up volume safely.
- Unlimited SMTP server explained: Hosted plans versus your own server.
- Free setup: We configure TurboMTA with you over SSH.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use TurboMTA as the SMTP server for MailWizz, Acelle, Mautic or my own app?
Yes, any application that lets you add a custom SMTP delivery server can send through TurboMTA: create an SMTP user, then enter your mail hostname, port 587 (STARTTLS) or 465, and the credentials. These are generic SMTP settings, not certified integrations, so check your application's own documentation for bounce handling.
Do I need an SMTP relay or can I send directly from my VPS?
You can send directly if your VPS provider allows outbound port 25 and you set up reverse DNS, SPF, DKIM and DMARC. If port 25 is blocked and cannot be unblocked, you either change provider or relay through another service on port 587 or 465. TurboMTA works for both.