Head-to-head · October 2026
Dispatch Countdown vs Simple SMTP
Simple SMTP comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Dispatch Countdown.
Dispatch Countdown
Specify a time to show (and start) the count down, and an end time to count down to.
Simple SMTP
Adds a simple, no-fuss SMTP settings to your WordPress installation that lets you define custom settings…
| Metric | Dispatch Countdown | Simple SMTP |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10+ | 2K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 60 | 1.1K |
| Download trend | +106.9% | +20.8% |
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 1 | 11 |
| Health score | 30/100 | 38/100 |
| Last updated | 7 years ago | 1 year ago |
| Tested up to | WP 5.3.25 | WP 6.8.10 |
| Support resolved | — | 0% |
| Requires PHP | 5.6+ | 7.0+ |
| First released | Dec 2019 | Mar 2020 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Dispatch CountdownSimple SMTP
Choose Dispatch Countdown if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 6 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 5.3 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Simple SMTP if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Momentum — downloads up 20.8% vs the previous 30 days
- No update in over a year
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.8 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: dispatch
FAQ
Dispatch Countdown vs Simple SMTP: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 2, 2026
Which is better, Dispatch Countdown or Simple SMTP?
Simple SMTP comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Dispatch Countdown. Choose Dispatch Countdown if you care most about download trend. Choose Simple SMTP if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
Is Dispatch Countdown more popular than Simple SMTP?
Simple SMTP is the more popular of the two with 2K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Dispatch Countdown.
Can I use Dispatch Countdown and Simple SMTP together?
Both plugins cover dispatch, so most sites only need one. Running two plugins that do the same job can cause conflicts and slow your site down — pick the one that fits best and remove the other.
Are Dispatch Countdown and Simple SMTP free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.
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