docker-mailserver vs Postal
Both docker-mailserver and Postal are self-hosted alternatives to Amazon SES. Both are filed under Communication - Email - Complete Solutions.
Side by side
| Field | docker-mailserver | Postal |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Production-ready fullstack but simple mail server (SMTP, IMAP, LDAP, Antispam, Antivirus, etc.) running inside a container. Only configuration files, no SQL database. | Complete and fully featured mail server for use by websites & web servers. |
| GitHub stars | 19,715 | 16,912 |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Platforms | Docker | Docker, Ruby |
| Latest release | v16.0.1, 4 September 2026 | 3.3.7, 3 June 2026 |
| Repository activity | 31 October 2026 | 1 October 2026 |
| Health | Active | Active |
| Categories | Communication - Email - Complete Solutions | Communication - Email - Complete Solutions |
| Website | https://docker-mailserver.github.io/docker-mailserver/edge/ | https://docs.postalserver.io/ |
| Source code | https://github.com/docker-mailserver/docker-mailserver | https://github.com/postalserver/postal |
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 16,912.
- docker-mailserver recorded repository activity more recently, 31 October 2026 against 1 October 2026.
- docker-mailserver has the newer release on record: v16.0.1, 4 September 2026, against 3.3.7, 3 June 2026.
- Both are listed under the same license: MIT.
- Platforms differ: docker-mailserver lists Docker; Postal lists Docker, Ruby.
- Both are filed under the same categories: Communication - Email - Complete Solutions.