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Best Mail Server Software in 2026

Mail server software lets you run services for sending, receiving and managing email. This list is for people comparing self-hosted and other deployment options.

  1. 1

    Apache James

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
    7.7 Free plan Visit site
  2. 2

    Axigen

    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5
    7.7 60-day trial Visit site
  3. 3

    Citadel

    Free plan APILinuxMac+2
    7.7 Free plan Visit site
  4. 4

    Exim

    Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1
    7.5 Free plan Visit site
  5. 5

    hMailServer

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
    7.5 Free plan Visit site
  6. 6

    iRedMail

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
    7.4 Free plan · paid from $10/yr Visit site
  7. 7

    Kolab

    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5
    7.4 Free plan Visit site
  8. 8

    Courier Mail Server

    Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted
    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  9. 9

    Cyrus IMAP

    Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted
    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  10. 10

    Dovecot

    Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted
    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  11. 11

    mailcow

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2
    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  12. 12

    MailEnable

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneSelf-hosted+2
    7.3 Free plan · paid from $395 · 60-day trial Visit site
  13. 13

    Mailu

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  14. 14

    Haraka

    Free plan Self-hosted
    7.1 Free plan Visit site
  15. 15

    poste.io

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
    7.1 Free plan · paid from $349/yr Visit site
  16. 16

    Maddy Mail Server

    Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted
    7.0 Free plan Visit site
  17. 17

    Mail-in-a-Box

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
    7.0 Open source Visit site
  18. 18

    Modoboa

    Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb
    7.0 Free plan Visit site
  19. 19

    OpenSMTPD

    Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted
    7.0 Free plan Visit site
  20. 20

    SmarterMail

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3
    7.0 Free plan · paid from $500 · 30-day trial Visit site
  21. 21

    Stalwart Mail Server

    Free plan APILinuxMac+3
    7.0 Free plan · paid from $2.40/yr · 30-day trial Visit site
  22. 22

    Zimbra Collaboration

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+4
    6.9 Free plan Visit site
  23. 23

    qmail

    Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted
    6.7 Free plan Visit site
  24. 24

    Postfix

    Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted
    6.6 Open source Visit site
  25. 25

    Zentyal Server

    by Zentyal Server
    Free plan Linux
    6.5 Free plan · paid from $230/yr · 15-day trial Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Compare free plans, paid pricing, trial terms and licence models. Before choosing, review platform support, webmail, IMAP or POP3 access, mobile sync, antispam tools, mailbox limits and high availability.

Questions

Are free plans available for mail server software here?

A free plan is offered by items on this list. Check the individual pricing note and free-plan field before choosing.

Which tools list a free trial?

The list shows a 60-day trial for Axigen and a 14-day trial for IceWarp.

What platforms do these mail servers support?

The platform set represented here spans self-hosted, Linux, web, Windows, API and iOS. Support varies by product.

Can I use IMAP or POP3 with these tools?

IMAP/POP3 access is a comparison field for this list. Check the product entry for its stated support.

What should I check for mobile users?

Review the mobile sync field and confirm that the product supports the devices and platform you plan to use.

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