Requirements

Published on: March 16, 2026

Last updated: March 16, 2026

Requirements

Dispatch Core runs on standard WordPress hosting. There are no unusual server dependencies and no build step required.

WordPress & PHP

  • WordPress: 6.0 or later — latest stable release recommended
  • PHP: 7.4 minimum — PHP 8.1 or 8.2 recommended for best performance and compatibility
  • Database: MySQL 5.7+ or MariaDB 10.3+

PHP extensions

  • openssl — required for TLS/SSL SMTP connections; enabled on virtually all managed WordPress hosts
  • mbstring — required for multi-byte string handling in email content

WP-Cron

Dispatch uses WP-Cron to process the outbound queue. WP-Cron fires when your site receives a visitor, so on low-traffic sites queue processing may be less frequent than expected.

  • WP-Cron must not be disabled — DISABLE_WP_CRON should not be set to true in wp-config.php
  • For reliable high-volume sending, set up a real server cron job that hits wp-cron.php every minute or every five minutes

SMTP

Dispatch sends through your own SMTP credentials. A dedicated transactional email provider gives the best deliverability.

  • Any SMTP provider: Mailgun, Postmark, SendGrid, Brevo, Amazon SES, or standard Gmail/Yahoo with app passwords
  • TLS on port 587 recommended; SSL on port 465 also supported
  • wp_mail() fallback available — uses WordPress’s default mail function if SMTP fails; fine as a safety net, not recommended as primary

Not required

  • No Composer or Node.js build step — the plugin is self-contained
  • No CDN, Redis, or Memcached
  • No special REST API or permalink configuration (though “Post name” permalink structure is recommended for clean unsubscribe URLs)

Next: Installation

Dispatch Core

Free self-hosted email marketing for WordPress. List management, SMTP, double opt-in, throttled sending, and CAN-SPAM compliance.

Quick Links

Need support?

Dispatch Core Support →

// real.developer.js
const approach = {
investors: false,
buzzwords: false,
actualUse: true,
problems: ['real', 'solved']
};
// Ship it.

Built by People Who Actually Use the Software

M Media software isn't venture-funded, trend-chasing, or built to look good in pitch decks. It's built by developers who run their own servers, ship their own products, and rely on these tools every day.

That means fewer abstractions, fewer dependencies, and fewer "coming soon" promises. Our software exists because we needed it to exist — to automate real work, solve real problems, and keep systems running without babysitting.

We build software the way it used to be built: practical, durable, and accountable. If a feature doesn't save time, reduce friction, or make something more reliable, it doesn't ship.

✓ Every feature solves a problem we actually had
✓ No investor timelines forcing half-baked releases
✓ Updates add value, not just version numbers
✓ Documentation written by people who got stuck first

This is software designed to stay installed — not be replaced next quarter.

❌
Subscription Hell
  • • Payment fails? App stops
  • • Need online activation
  • • Forced updates
  • • Data held hostage
✓
M Media Way
  • • Buy once, own forever
  • • Works offline
  • • Optional updates
  • • You control your data

Simple Licensing. No Games.

We don't believe in dark patterns, forced subscriptions, or holding your data hostage. M Media software products use clear, upfront licensing with no hidden traps.

You buy the software. You run it. You control your systems.

Licenses are designed to work offline, survive reinstalls, and respect long-term use. Updates are optional, not mandatory. Your tools don't suddenly stop working because a payment failed or a server somewhere changed hands.

✓ One-time purchase, lifetime access
✓ No "cloud authentication" breaking your workflow
✓ Upgrade when you want to, not when we force you
✓ Software empowers its owner — not rent itself back