Is necessary to install exchange server for sending emails in sharepoint 2013?

Need little clarification about email configuration. I'm using sharepoint 2013 and I have configured SMTP server, incoming mail config, outgoing mail config but I couldn't success to send emails.

I have done all configurations well . I have read some articles about exchange server for emails. So,Is necessary to install exchange server for sending/receiving emails?

Can you please anyone give little suggestions for email configurations?

Thanks in advance.