docker-mailserver vs Mailcow
Both docker-mailserver and Mailcow are self-hosted alternatives to Amazon SES, Fastmail, Gmail, Outlook.com and Proton Mail. Both are filed under Communication - Email - Complete Solutions.
Side by side
| Field | docker-mailserver | Mailcow |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Production-ready fullstack but simple mail server (SMTP, IMAP, LDAP, Antispam, Antivirus, etc.) running inside a container. Only configuration files, no SQL database. | Mail server suite based on Dovecot, Postfix and other software, that provides a modern Web UI for administration. |
| GitHub stars | 19,715 | 13,728 |
| License | MIT | GPL-3.0 |
| Platforms | Docker | Docker, PHP |
| Latest release | v16.0.1, 4 September 2026 | 2026-10, 21 October 2026 |
| Repository activity | 31 October 2026 | 21 October 2026 |
| Health | Active | Active |
| Categories | Communication - Email - Complete Solutions | Communication - Email - Complete Solutions |
| Website | https://docker-mailserver.github.io/docker-mailserver/edge/ | https://mailcow.email/ |
| Source code | https://github.com/docker-mailserver/docker-mailserver | https://github.com/mailcow/mailcow-dockerized |
Where the records differ
Computed from the two records above: a line appears only where the dataset states a figure, a date or a set relation, and no line recommends one application over the other.
- docker-mailserver has more GitHub stars in the dataset, 19,715 against 13,728.
- docker-mailserver recorded repository activity more recently, 31 October 2026 against 21 October 2026.
- Mailcow has the newer release on record: 2026-10, 21 October 2026, against v16.0.1, 4 September 2026.
- Licenses differ: docker-mailserver is listed under MIT; Mailcow under GPL-3.0.
- Platforms differ: docker-mailserver lists Docker; Mailcow lists Docker, PHP.
- Both are filed under the same categories: Communication - Email - Complete Solutions.