Mailcow
Mail server suite based on Dovecot, Postfix and other open source software, that provides a modern Web UI for administration.
- GitHub stars
- 13,600
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Latest release
- 2026-09a
6 October 2026 - Last commit
- 6 October 2026
- Runs on
- Docker, PHP
Commits per month, last 12 months
325 commits
Replaces
Paid products Mailcow can stand in for.
How to self-host Mailcow
Mailcow runs on Docker and PHP. The project's own install guide is the place to start; most people put it on a small server with Docker and a reverse proxy for HTTPS.
- Get a server: a home server, a VPS, or a managed app host.
- Install it the way the project's docs describe, usually with Docker Compose.
- Put it behind HTTPS and set up backups before you add real data.
- Update it regularly. Watch the project's releases.
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Questions
Is Mailcow free?
Yes. Mailcow is open source under the GPL-3.0 license, so you can use it without paying for a license. You pay only for the server it runs on.
Can I self-host Mailcow?
Yes. Mailcow runs on Docker and PHP. Follow the install guide in the project's documentation, or use a host that installs it for you.
What does Mailcow replace?
People use Mailcow instead of Gmail, Outlook.com or Fastmail.
Is Mailcow still maintained?
The last change to Mailcow's code was on 6 October 2026, with 325 commits in the last 12 months.
Topics
App data from awesome-selfhosted (CC BY-SA 3.0), stars and activity from GitHub.