If your provider is not Gmail or Microsoft, you can still connect via SMTP for sending and IMAP for reading replies. This works for Zoho, Fastmail, ProtonMail Bridge, Amazon WorkMail, hosted Exchange, cPanel email, and most custom mail servers.
Before you start
You need four things from your provider:
SMTP server host and port (usually 587 for STARTTLS or 465 for SSL)
IMAP server host and port (usually 993 for SSL)
Your email address (the sending identity)
A password — usually an app password, not your normal login password
Most providers require an app password for SMTP because their 2-factor login does not work with plain SMTP authentication.
Connect via SMTP and IMAP
Open Accounts → Email → Connect and choose SMTP / IMAP.
Fill in:
From name and email
SMTP host, port, username, password, and TLS mode
IMAP host, port, username, password, and TLS mode
Click Test connection. We attempt both an SMTP login and an IMAP fetch.
On success, click Save. The inbox is ready for warmup or campaigns.
Common provider settings
Zoho Mail: SMTP smtp.zoho.com:587 STARTTLS, IMAP imap.zoho.com:993 SSL, app password from Zoho Account Security App passwords.
Fastmail: SMTP smtp.fastmail.com:465 SSL, IMAP imap.fastmail.com:993 SSL, app password from Fastmail Settings Privacy and Security App passwords.
ProtonMail Bridge: SMTP 127.0.0.1:1025 STARTTLS, IMAP 127.0.0.1:1143 STARTTLS — only works if Bridge runs on the same machine BrandJet is sending from. Not recommended for cold outreach.
Amazon WorkMail: SMTP smtp.mail.region.awsapps.com:465 SSL, IMAP imap.mail.region.awsapps.com:993 SSL.
cPanel hosting: usually mail.yourdomain.com:587 STARTTLS, the password is the mailbox password.
Test connection errors
Authentication failed — wrong password, or you used the account password instead of an app password.
Connection refused or timeout — wrong port, or your provider blocks BrandJet IP ranges. Try 587 if 465 fails and vice versa.
TLS handshake failed — the TLS mode does not match the port. Use SSL for 465, STARTTLS for 587, no TLS for 25 (rare and not recommended).
IMAP unauthorized — same account works for SMTP but IMAP is disabled. Enable IMAP in your provider settings.
After connecting
Use the same warmup, daily limit, and campaign assignment workflow as any other mailbox. SMTP and IMAP inboxes ramp slower than OAuth-connected inboxes because providers tend to be stricter — let warmup run for at least 14 days.
Sending limits
Your provider sets the actual ceiling. Zoho, Fastmail, and most cPanel hosts top out around 200 to 500 sends per day per mailbox. Push past that and you risk throttling, suspension, or blacklisting from the provider side. BrandJet honors the daily limit you set; we do not override your provider policy.