Mail-in-a-Box vs Mailcow
Both Mail-in-a-Box and Mailcow are self-hosted alternatives to Gmail, Outlook.com and Proton Mail. Both are filed under Communication - Email - Complete Solutions.
Side by side
| Field | Mail-in-a-Box | Mailcow |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Turns any Ubuntu server into a fully functional mail server with one command. | Mail server suite based on Dovecot, Postfix and other software, that provides a modern Web UI for administration. |
| GitHub stars | 15,453 | 13,728 |
| License | CC0-1.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Platforms | Shell | Docker, PHP |
| Latest release | v77, 26 September 2026 | 2026-10, 21 October 2026 |
| Repository activity | 22 October 2026 | 21 October 2026 |
| Health | Active | Active |
| Categories | Communication - Email - Complete Solutions | Communication - Email - Complete Solutions |
| Website | https://mailinabox.email/ | https://mailcow.email/ |
| Source code | https://github.com/mail-in-a-box/mailinabox | 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.
- Mail-in-a-Box has more GitHub stars in the dataset, 15,453 against 13,728.
- Mail-in-a-Box recorded repository activity more recently, 22 October 2026 against 21 October 2026.
- Mailcow has the newer release on record: 2026-10, 21 October 2026, against v77, 26 September 2026.
- Licenses differ: Mail-in-a-Box is listed under CC0-1.0; Mailcow under GPL-3.0.
- Platforms differ: Mail-in-a-Box lists Shell; Mailcow lists Docker, PHP.
- Both are filed under the same categories: Communication - Email - Complete Solutions.