Roundcube

Name: Roundcube
Author: Roundcube

Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb

What Roundcube is

Roundcube is a free, browser-based multilingual IMAP client for email hosting providers and administrators to install on their own servers. It provides an application-like interface for MIME and HTML messages, multiple sender identities, threaded listings, message search, and spell checking. Its address book supports groups, LDAP connectors, and find-as-you-type integration. A plug-in API and template system allow customization, with third-party plugins and skins available through Packagist. Listed security capabilities include brute-force login attack prevention, XSS protection, PGP encryption support, and OAuth/XOAuth login support. Roundcube is self-hosted software, not an email service that provides user accounts. Installation requires PHP 8.1 or later, a supported web server, a database, and SMTP and IMAP servers. It can run as a Docker PHP-FPM service or with a complete Apache webserver, and the project provides Docker Compose and Kubernetes examples. The software is licensed under GNU GPL version 3 or later, with exceptions for skins and plugins. Roundcube does not provide or recommend native mobile apps.

Who it suits

Roundcube suits email hosting providers and administrators who want to install webmail on their own servers. It does not supply email accounts as a hosted service.

What it does well

Supports MIME and HTML messages.
Includes LDAP connectors and grouped contacts.
Offers a plug-in API and custom skin templates.
Lists PGP and OAuth/XOAuth support.
Docker Compose and Kubernetes examples are available.

What to know first

Requires PHP 8.1 or later.
Needs SMTP and IMAP servers.
Does not provide or recommend native mobile apps.
Must be installed and managed on your server.

Limits

The free plan is self-hosted webmail and requires a web server, database, SMTP server, and IMAP server. It has unlimited users and messages; no free-trial period is offered.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Roundcube Webmail	Free and open-source software · unlimited users and messages · self-hosted webmail	Free

As roundcube.net lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit roundcube.net for the project and downloads.
Prepare PHP 8.1 or later, a supported web server, a MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL, or SQLite database, and SMTP and IMAP servers.
Choose a deployment using Docker PHP-FPM or a complete Apache webserver.
Use the provided Docker Compose or Kubernetes examples if applicable.
Install Roundcube on your server and connect it to your mail services.

Verdict

Roundcube provides a customizable webmail interface for operators managing their own email infrastructure. It is not a standalone mail provider, and deployment requires the listed server components.

Questions

Is Roundcube free?

Yes. The listed plan costs nothing and covers self-hosted webmail with unlimited users and messages.

Does Roundcube provide email accounts?

No. It is software for email hosting providers or administrators to install on their servers.

What platforms does it support?

It is browser-based and listed for web, Linux, and self-hosted use. The project does not provide or recommend native mobile apps.

Is Roundcube open source?

Yes. It is licensed under GNU GPL version 3 or later, with exceptions for skins and plugins.

What does installation require?

Roundcube requires PHP 8.1 or later, a supported web server, a MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL, or SQLite database, and SMTP and IMAP servers.

Can it integrate with Nextcloud?

The Nextcloud app Roundcube Mail integrates an existing standalone Roundcube webmail app into Nextcloud, with optional SSO.

Facts from Roundcube's own pages

App coverage: web · roundcube.net, 21 Sept 2026
Calendar tools: No · roundcube.net, 21 Sept 2026
Contacts: Its address book supports groups and LDAP connectors, with find-as-you-type integration. · roundcube.net, 12 Oct 2026
Current release: The downloads page lists 1.7.4 as the stable version and 1.6.19 as an LTS version. · roundcube.net, 12 Oct 2026
Customization: Roundcube has a plug-in API, a template system for custom skins, and third-party plugins and skins available through Packagist. · roundcube.net, 12 Oct 2026
Deployment: Roundcube can be run as a Docker PHP-FPM service or with a complete Apache webserver, and the project provides Docker Compose and Kubernetes examples. · roundcube.net, 12 Oct 2026
Email features: It supports MIME and HTML messages, multiple sender identities, threaded message listings, message search and spell checking. · roundcube.net, 12 Oct 2026
Founded: 2005 · roundcube.net, 28 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · roundcube.net, 21 Sept 2026
License: Roundcube is licensed under GNU GPL version 3 or later, with exceptions for skins and plugins. · roundcube.net, 12 Oct 2026
Mobile apps: The project says it does not provide or recommend native mobile apps. · roundcube.net, 12 Oct 2026
Nextcloud integration: The Nextcloud app Roundcube Mail integrates an existing standalone Roundcube webmail app into Nextcloud, with optional SSO. · roundcube.net, 12 Oct 2026
Product: Roundcube is a browser-based multilingual IMAP client with an application-like interface. · roundcube.net, 12 Oct 2026
Security: Listed protections and capabilities include brute-force login attack prevention, XSS protection, PGP encryption support and OAuth/XOAuth login support. · roundcube.net, 12 Oct 2026
Server requirements: The project lists PHP 8.1 or greater, a supported web server, a MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL or SQLite database, and SMTP and IMAP servers as requirements. · roundcube.net, 12 Oct 2026
Support: Official enterprise support from Nextcloud GmbH is tailored to mail providers running large instances with thousands to millions of end users. · roundcube.net, 12 Oct 2026
Who it is for: Roundcube is software for email hosting providers or administrators to install on their servers; it is not an email service with user accounts provided by Roundcube. · roundcube.net, 12 Oct 2026

Where Roundcube stands on Freedom251

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