
Roundcube
Roundcube is a browser-based, multilingual IMAP client that email providers and administrators install on their own servers.
What Roundcube is
Roundcube is a browser-based, multilingual IMAP client that email providers and administrators install on their own servers. It is not an email service that supplies user accounts. Its application-like interface handles MIME and HTML messages, multiple sender identities, threaded listings, search, and spell checking. The address book supports groups and LDAP connections, with find-as-you-type integration. Administrators can customize it through a plug-in API and templates; third-party plugins and skins are available through Packagist. Listed protections and sign-in options include brute-force login prevention, XSS protection, PGP encryption, and OAuth/XOAuth. Roundcube is free, with a listed plan of no cost and unlimited users and messages. Installation requires PHP 8.1 or later, a supported web server, a MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL, or SQLite database, plus SMTP and IMAP servers. It can run as a Docker PHP-FPM service or with a complete Apache webserver. The project provides Docker Compose and Kubernetes examples. It does not provide or recommend native mobile apps.
Good
- Free plan allows unlimited users and messages.
- Supports MIME and HTML email and multiple identities.
- Address book includes groups and LDAP connectors.
- Docker and Apache deployment options are listed.
Watch out
- Requires PHP 8.1 or later and server components.
- No native mobile apps are provided or recommended.
- Not an email service with user accounts.
Who it suits
Roundcube suits email hosting providers and administrators who want to install webmail on their own servers. It is not intended as a standalone email account service for end users.
Verdict
Roundcube offers self-hosted webmail with email, contact, customization, and listed security capabilities. It requires administrators to provide and maintain the necessary server environment.
Plans and prices
From Roundcube's own pricing page, checked 12 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Roundcube Webmail | Free | Free and open-source software · unlimited users and messages · self-hosted webmail |
The facts
Each one read from Roundcube's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- App coverage
- webchecked 21 Sep 2026
- Mobile apps
- The project says it does not provide or recommend native mobile apps.checked 12 Oct 2026
What it does
- Calendar tools
- Nochecked 21 Sep 2026
- Contacts
- Its address book supports groups and LDAP connectors, with find-as-you-type integration.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Current release
- The downloads page lists 1.7.4 as the stable version and 1.6.19 as an LTS version.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Roundcube has a plug-in API, a template system for custom skins, and third-party plugins and skins available through Packagist.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- Roundcube can be run as a Docker PHP-FPM service or with a complete Apache webserver, and the project provides Docker Compose and Kubernetes examples.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Email features
- It supports MIME and HTML messages, multiple sender identities, threaded message listings, message search and spell checking.checked 12 Oct 2026
- License
- Roundcube is licensed under GNU GPL version 3 or later, with exceptions for skins and plugins.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Nextcloud integration
- The Nextcloud app Roundcube Mail integrates an existing standalone Roundcube webmail app into Nextcloud, with optional SSO.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- Roundcube is a browser-based multilingual IMAP client with an application-like interface.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Security
- Listed protections and capabilities include brute-force login attack prevention, XSS protection, PGP encryption support and OAuth/XOAuth login support.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Server requirements
- The project lists PHP 8.1 or greater, a supported web server, a MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL or SQLite database, and SMTP and IMAP servers as requirements.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- Official enterprise support from Nextcloud GmbH is tailored to mail providers running large instances with thousands to millions of end users.checked 12 Oct 2026
- Who it is for
- Roundcube is software for email hosting providers or administrators to install on their servers; it is not an email service with user accounts provided by Roundcube.checked 12 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2005checked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
Alternatives to Roundcube
- 1

Zoho Mail
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI9.0Free plan - 2

Mailbutler Smart Assistant
Free planAndroidiOSWebExtension8.9Free plan - 3

Front
AndroidiOSWebAPI8.6From $25 a month - 4

eM Client
Free planAndroidiOSmacOSWindows8.5From $39.95 a year - 5

Newton Mail
Free planAndroidiOSmacOSWindows8.5From $5 a month - 6

Spike
Free planAndroidiOSWebmacOS8.5From $4 a month
