SupportBee can receive and send support emails from a range of email providers. The level of integration depends on the provider.
Native integrations
These providers connect directly to SupportBee using OAuth. They are the most reliable option and handle both sending and receiving automatically.
| Provider | Sending | Receiving | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gmail | Automatic | Automatic | Connect Gmail |
| Google Workspace | Automatic | Automatic | Connect Gmail |
| Microsoft Outlook | Automatic | Automatic | Connect Outlook |
| Microsoft Office 365 | Automatic | Automatic | Connect Outlook |
With native integrations, you do not need to configure SMTP or email forwarding. SupportBee connects directly to your mailbox.
Providers that work via forwarding + SMTP
These providers do not have a native integration but can be connected by setting up email forwarding (for receiving) and SMTP (for sending).
| Provider | Receiving | Sending | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoho Mail | Forwarding | SMTP | Use smtp.zoho.com, port 587 |
| Yahoo Mail | Forwarding | SMTP | Use smtp.mail.yahoo.com, port 587 |
| cPanel-hosted email | Forwarding | SMTP | Server is typically mail.yourdomain.com |
| Amazon SES | Forwarding | SMTP | Requires SES SMTP credentials |
| Any provider with SMTP | Forwarding | SMTP | Check your provider's SMTP documentation |
For setup instructions, see:
- Connecting your email inbox for forwarding setup
- SMTP server setup for sending configuration and common provider settings
Protocols not supported
SupportBee does not support the following protocols for connecting email:
- IMAP - SupportBee does not connect to mailboxes via IMAP. Use a native integration or email forwarding instead
- POP3 - SupportBee does not support POP3 connections. Use a native integration or email forwarding instead
If your email provider only supports IMAP or POP3 and does not offer email forwarding, it cannot be connected to SupportBee directly. In this case, consider setting up a Gmail or Outlook address for your support inbox and forwarding from your current provider to that address.
Choosing the right setup
- Gmail or Outlook user? Use the native integration - it is the simplest and most reliable option
- Other provider with forwarding and SMTP? Set up forwarding for receiving and SMTP for sending. This works with most providers but may require occasional reconnection if SMTP credentials change
- Not sure what your provider supports? Check with your email hosting provider whether they offer email forwarding and SMTP access. Most commercial email hosts support both