Resend
Send WordPress emails through the Resend API. Build, test, and deliver transactional emails at scale.
Use with caution
Resend works, but test it on a staging site before relying on it in 2026. It runs on 200+ sites and was last updated 1 month ago, and scores 60/100 on our health check.
- Small user base (200+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
How does it stack up?
Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & support
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where Resend stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| >100 | |
| >100 | |
| resend | #5 |
| smtp | >100 |
| transactional email | #89 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
About Resend
From the official readme · v1.0.0Description
Resend for WordPress routes your site’s transactional and marketing emails through the Resend API, replacing the default WordPress mail delivery method.
Key Features:
- Simple Setup – Connect your Resend account with just an API key
- Email Delivery – Routes outgoing WordPress emails through Resend’s infrastructure
- Transactional Emails – Perfect for password resets, notifications, confirmations, and more
- Easy Configuration – Set sender name and email directly from WordPress settings
- Test Emails – Send test emails to verify your setup works correctly
How it works:
The Resend plugin overrides WordPress’ native wp_mail() function and routes all emails through the Resend API. This means any email sent by WordPress (password resets, notifications, contact forms, etc.) will be sent through Resend instead of your server’s default mail handling.
Getting Started:
- Create a free account at Resend.com
- Generate an API key in your Resend dashboard
- Install and activate the Resend WordPress plugin
- Paste your API key into the plugin settings
- Configure your sender name and email address
- Test with our built-in test email feature
Requirements:
- WordPress 5.8 or higher
- PHP 7.2 or higher
- A Resend account (free tier available)
Need Help?
Support
For support, feature requests, or bug reports, please visit:
External services
This plugin requires a Resend account and relies on the Resend API (a third-party transactional email service) to deliver emails.
This plugin replaces WordPress’s wp_mail() function. Every email your site sends (password resets, notifications, contact form submissions, and any other message triggered through wp_mail()) is transmitted to the Resend API instead of being sent directly by your server. Each time an email is sent, the plugin sends the following to Resend: the recipient address(es), sender name and email address, subject, message body (HTML or plain text), and any file attachments.
This service is provided by Resend: Terms of Service, Privacy Policy.
Terms of Use
By using this plugin, you agree to Resend’s Terms of Service.
Installation
From WordPress Admin
- Go to Plugins → Add New
- Search for “Resend”
- Click Install Now
- Click Activate
- You will be redirected to the setup page
- Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your Resend account
Manual Installation
- Download the plugin ZIP file
- Go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
- Select the downloaded ZIP file and click Install Now
- Click Activate Plugin
- Go to Settings → Resend
- Enter your Resend API key and complete the setup
Using FTP/SFTP
- Download and extract the plugin ZIP file
- Upload the
resendfolder to/wp-content/plugins/via FTP - Activate the plugin from the Plugins page in WordPress admin
- Go to Settings → Resend to configure
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Resend account?
Yes, you will need a Resend account to use this plugin. You can create a free account at Resend.com.
What emails will be sent through Resend?
All emails sent using WordPress’s wp_mail() function will be sent through Resend. This includes password resets, user notifications, contact form submissions, and any other email sent by WordPress or plugins using the standard wp_mail() function.
Will my existing email settings still work?
The Resend plugin overrides the default WordPress email sending mechanism. Make sure you configure the plugin correctly before activating it.
Can I test if it’s working?
Yes! The plugin includes a built-in test email feature. Go to Settings → Resend and click the “Send Test Email” button.
What if another plugin is blocking emails?
The plugin will notify you if another plugin or custom code is interfering. The plugin shows an admin notice if wp_mail is already defined by another plugin.
Is my API key secure?
Your API key is stored in the WordPress database options table. We recommend using a strong database password and keeping WordPress updated. Never share your API key with anyone.
Can I use this on multisite?
The plugin works with WordPress multisite, but each site will need its own Resend API key.
What happens to my emails if I deactivate the plugin?
When you deactivate the plugin, WordPress will revert to its default email sending behavior. Any emails queued in Resend will still be sent normally.
What happens to my data if I delete the plugin?
When you delete the plugin from the Plugins page, your Resend settings (API key, sender name, sender email) are removed from the database. Simply deactivating the plugin does not remove this data.
Does this support attachments?
Yes, if the Resend API supports it. The plugin uses the standard wp_mail() function which supports attachments.
Can I customize the sender email or name?
Yes! You can set a custom sender email and name in the plugin settings page.
Changelog
1.1.0
- Plugin data is now removed on uninstall
1.0.0
- Initial release
- Basic email sending via Resend API
- Settings page with API key management
- Test email functionality
- Custom sender configuration
For developers
Is this your plugin? Show off the numbers.
Add a live badge to your site, docs or GitHub README. It updates on its own — no account needed.
Best Resend alternatives
All email plugins →
FAQ
Resend: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 20, 2026
Is Resend free?
Yes. Resend is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is Resend safe to use in 2026?
Resend works, but test it on a staging site before relying on it in 2026. It runs on 200+ sites and was last updated 1 month ago, and scores 60/100 on our health check.
How many websites use Resend?
Resend is active on 200+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 770 times since it launched in July 2026. It was downloaded 348 times in the last 30 days.
Does Resend work with WordPress 7.1?
Resend is officially tested up to WordPress 7.0.7, while the latest release is 7.1.3. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.
What PHP version does Resend need?
Resend requires PHP 7.2 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.
When was Resend last updated?
The latest version, 1.0.0, was released on September 18, 2026 (1 month ago).
Who makes Resend?
Resend is developed and maintained by Resend.
What are the best alternatives to Resend?
The most popular alternatives to Resend are WP Mail SMTP by WPForms (4M+ installs), MC4WP: Mailchimp for WordPr… (1M+ installs) and Easy WP SMTP (500K+ installs).
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