Freedom251 › Secure Email Gateway Software
Kerio Connect

What Kerio Connect is
Kerio Connect is an email and instant messaging server that combines mail, chat, calendars, contacts, tasks, and notes in its client. It provides web email, mobile access, Outlook integration, Apple application support, and XMPP clients such as Pidgin. Organizations can deploy it on Windows, macOS, or Linux, use a VMware virtual appliance, or choose the hosted-service option described by the maker. Migration tools move users and data from Microsoft Exchange and other IMAP services. Security controls include password-complexity rules, login-guessing protection, anti-spoofing, SSL certificates, and S/MIME signing and encryption. SpamAssassin filtering is enabled by default; Kerio Anti-spam is an optional Bitdefender-powered component. Administrators can back up configuration and user data and restore the mail system after hardware failure or upgrades. Licensing counts active enabled mailboxes. The server license includes API use without a royalty fee. Pricing is available on request, and a free 30-day trial is offered.
Who it suits
Kerio Connect suits organizations managing email, messaging, calendars, and contacts across multiple deployment types. It is also relevant for teams migrating from Exchange or IMAP services.
What it does well
- Combines email, chat, calendars, contacts, tasks, and notes
- Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, or VMware
- Supports Outlook, Apple apps, and XMPP clients
- Includes backup and restore capabilities
- Free 30-day trial available
What to know first
- No free plan
- Pricing is available only on request
- Active mailboxes count toward the license limit
- Some components require separate licenses
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial license (processed through GFI Partners) | Licensed by active mailboxes/users · Antivirus, Exchange ActiveSync, and Kerio Anti-spam are individually licensed components | On request |
As support.kerioconnect.gfi.com lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Kerio Connect provides a broad mail and collaboration server with flexible deployment and migration options. Licensing and optional components should be reviewed alongside the requested mailbox count.
Facts from Kerio Connect's own pages
- API
- The product license includes use of the Kerio Connect API on the server, and the maker says there is no royalty fee for API use. · manuals.gfi.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Backup
- Administrators can back up the server configuration and user data and restore the mail system after hardware failure or an upgrade. · manuals.gfi.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Collaboration
- Kerio Connect Client manages email, chat, calendars, contacts, tasks, and notes. · support.kerioconnect.gfi.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- Kerio Connect can run as software on Windows, macOS, or Linux, or as a VMware virtual appliance; the maker’s overview also describes it as available as a hosted service. · manuals.gfi.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- No · manuals.gfi.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The product supports Microsoft Outlook, Kerio Outlook Connector, Exchange ActiveSync, Apple applications, and XMPP messaging clients such as Pidgin. · manuals.gfi.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Licensing limit
- The license sets the number of mailboxes, and active enabled mailboxes count toward that user limit. · support.kerioconnect.gfi.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Migration
- Kerio Connect supports migrating users and data from Microsoft Exchange and other IMAP services. · manuals.gfi.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Optional components
- Kerio Antivirus, Exchange ActiveSync, and Kerio Anti-spam are individually licensed components. · support.kerioconnect.gfi.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- Kerio Connect is an email and instant messaging server with multiple deployment options, Outlook integration, web email, and mobile access. · manuals.gfi.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- Documented protections include password complexity rules, login guessing protection, anti-spoofing, SSL certificates, and S/MIME message signing and encryption. · manuals.gfi.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Spam filtering
- SpamAssassin content filtering is enabled by default, while Kerio Anti-spam is an optionally licensed feature powered by Bitdefender. · manuals.gfi.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker provides a Kerio Connect support portal with knowledge articles and release notes. · support.kerioconnect.gfi.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Trial
- The maker’s support article says users can register for a free 30-day trial through the GFI website. · support.kerioconnect.gfi.com, 8 Oct 2026
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