I use mail.dll to retrieve and send emails via gmail smtp with a vb.net app I created. Now that Google is eliminating the less-secure-app option. Is there another option? I tried the oauth route from a link on the limilabs site but it is out of date. Is there a better way? or better email provider? Many thanks in advance.
Use OAuth 2.0 - there are several flows depending on your scenario:
Web app: https://www.limilabs.com/blog/oauth2-gmail-imap-web-applications
Installed/desktop app: https://www.limilabs.com/blog/oauth2-gmail-imap-installed-applications
Service account/daemon: https://www.limilabs.com/blog/oauth2-gmail-imap-service-account
-or- A simpler solution is to use App passwords: Turn on 2-Step Verification for the account (required), then create an application specific password. You can find more details here: https://www.limilabs.com/blog/using-app-passwords-with-gmail