Best Self-hosted Email Servers (SMTP/IMAP) tools in 2026

44 self-hosted open source alternatives in this category

44 services found

Exim

Exim

Configurable SMTP message transfer agent for Unix-like systems

Exim is an open source SMTP message transfer agent (MTA) for Unix-like systems, offering flexible mail routing and extensive controls for handling inbound email.

Alternative to:
Amazon Simple Email Service (Amazon SES)
Amazon Simple Email Service (Amazon SES)
+10
Zimbra Collaboration

Zimbra Collaboration

Enterprise email, calendar, contacts, and collaboration suite

Self-hosted enterprise collaboration suite providing email, webmail, calendaring, contacts, and administration for organizations.

Alternative to:
Microsoft Exchange Online
Microsoft Exchange Online
+19
Postorius

Postorius

Django-based web interface for GNU Mailman 3 mailing lists

Postorius is a Django web UI for managing GNU Mailman 3 mailing lists, covering list administration and user subscription preferences.

Alternative to:
Groups.io
Groups.io
Citadel

Citadel

Groupware server with email, calendaring, contacts, and web access

Citadel is an open source groupware and messaging server providing email, calendars, contacts, and a web interface with room-based collaboration.

Alternative to:
Microsoft Exchange Online
Microsoft Exchange Online
+19
HyperKitty

HyperKitty

Web archiver and user interface for Mailman 3 mailing lists

HyperKitty is a web interface and archiver for Mailman 3 mailing lists, providing searchable list archives, thread views, user profiles, and email interaction features.

Alternative to:
Cryoserver Email Archive
Cryoserver Email Archive
chasquid

chasquid

Simple and secure SMTP mail transfer agent (MTA)

chasquid is a minimalist SMTP server (MTA) for individuals and small groups, focused on secure defaults, easy configuration, and straightforward operation.

Alternative to:
Postfix
Postfix
+11
Inboxen

Inboxen

Disposable email inbox service with unlimited unique addresses

Inboxen provides unlimited unique email inboxes to protect your primary address from spam, sign-ups, and tracking while keeping your real inbox clean.

Alternative to:
Mailinator
Mailinator
+3
Courier Mail Server (Courier MTA)

Courier Mail Server (Courier MTA)

Integrated mail server suite with SMTP, IMAP, POP3 and webmail

Courier is an integrated mail server suite providing ESMTP (MTA), IMAP, POP3, webmail, and mailing lists with optional LDAP/MySQL/PostgreSQL-backed virtual accounts.

Alternative to:
Microsoft Exchange Online
Microsoft Exchange Online
+14
Schleuder

Schleuder

OpenPGP-enabled mailing list manager with remailing

Schleuder is an OpenPGP-enabled mailing list manager that encrypts list mail and supports remailing, allowing subscribers and non-subscribers to exchange secure emails vi...

Alternative to:
Groups.io
Groups.io
+3
OpenSMTPD

OpenSMTPD

Secure, lightweight SMTP server implementation compliant with RFC 5321

OpenSMTPD is an open-source, minimal SMTP daemon from the OpenBSD project providing an RFC-compliant MTA with privilege separation, table backends, filters and TLS suppor...

Alternative to:
Postfix
Postfix
+11
GNU Mailman

GNU Mailman

Mailing list management and e-newsletter distribution software

GNU Mailman is a mailing list manager for email discussion lists and newsletters, with web-based administration, archives, moderation tools, and bounce handling.

Alternative to:
Groups.io
Groups.io
+4
Dovel

Dovel

Simple Go-based SMTP server for receiving and sending mail

Lightweight SMTP server written in Go that receives and sends email via a single JSON config and executable hooks; supports per-user DKIM and TLS.

Alternative to:
Amazon Simple Email Service (Amazon SES)
Amazon Simple Email Service (Amazon SES)
+11
E-MailRelay

E-MailRelay

Lightweight SMTP store-and-forward MTA with optional POP3 access

E-MailRelay is a lightweight SMTP relay/store-and-forward mail server with optional POP3 access to spooled messages, designed for simple, scriptable mail handling.

Alternative to:
SMTP2GO
SMTP2GO
+9
Postfix

Postfix

Secure and efficient SMTP mail transfer agent (MTA)

Postfix is a fast, secure, and easy-to-administer SMTP server for sending and routing email on Unix-like systems, commonly used as an MTA or mail relay.

Alternative to:
Amazon Simple Email Service (Amazon SES)
Amazon Simple Email Service (Amazon SES)
+9