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 is for
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 is good
- 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
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.
Kerio Connect plans and pricing
All plansCompared on online fax services
- Free plan
- No
- Admin controls
- Yes
- Archiving & retention
- Yes
- Security controls
- advanced
