Best Email Server Software in 2026
Email server software helps you run email services and manage how mail is handled. Use this list to compare self-hosted and hosted options across the platforms that matter to you. The listed platforms include Linux, self-hosted setups, web, Windows, iOS and macOS.
- 4

Stalwart Mail Server
Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS7.2From $1.09 a year - 5

Axigen
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI7.0Free plan - 6
Microsoft Exchange Online
AndroidiOSWebmacOS7.0 - 7
Modoboa
Free planWebLinuxSelf-hosted6.9From €139.30 a year - 8
poste.io
Free planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.8From $349 a year - 9
iRedMail
WebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.5From $10 a year - 10

Zimbra Collaboration
AndroidiOSWebLinux6.5 - 11
Exim
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows6.2Free plan - 12
Mailu
Free planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.2Free plan - 13
grommunio
AndroidiOSWebLinux6.1From €1.99 a month - 14
hMailServer
Free planAPILinuxSelf-hostedWindows6.1Free plan - 15
Pegasus Mail
Free planWindows6.1Free plan - 16
RabiMail
AndroidiOSWebLinux6.1From ₹199 a month - 17

Apache James
Free planAPILinuxSelf-hostedWindows6.0Free plan - 18
Cyrus IMAP
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted5.9Free plan - 19
Dovecot
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted5.9Free plan - 20
Maddy Mail Server
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted5.9Free plan - 21

Mail-in-a-Box
WebAPILinuxSelf-hosted5.8 - 225.7From $2.40 a year
- 23
Postfix
LinuxmacOSSelf-hosted5.6 - 24
Docker Mailserver
LinuxSelf-hosted5.5 - 25
Whitemail
AndroidiOSWeb5.5
Choosing well
Check platform coverage
Match the server software with your setup. The category covers Linux, self-hosted, web, Windows, iOS and macOS options.
If you need phone access or administration from Android, verify that directly in the product documentation.
Compare free plans and trials
Free plans appear across products such as Apache James, Cyrus IMAP, Dovecot, Exim and hMailServer. Docker Mailserver is listed as open source with a free plan.
Paid terms differ. Axigen lists a 60-day trial, while EVO Mail Server starts at $259, GreenArrow Engine On-Premises starts at $600 per month, grommunio has paid plans from €1.99 per user per month, and iRedMail has paid plans from $10 per year.
Decide how you will run it
Look for a self-hosted or Linux fit when you plan to operate the mail server yourself. Web, Windows, iOS and macOS availability can matter for administration or user access.
CommuniGate Pro is listed for Linux, macOS and Windows, while the category also includes self-hosted software. Confirm the exact deployment model before setup.
Review the licence
If you need to read or change the code, check the licence and repository terms before choosing. Docker Mailserver is explicitly described as open source; other products have different pricing models.
Questions people ask
Can I find a free email server?
Yes. Apache James, Cyrus IMAP, Dovecot, Exim and hMailServer list free plans. Docker Mailserver is listed as open source with a free plan.
Which option lists a free trial?
Axigen lists a 60-day trial and also shows a free plan.
What platforms are covered?
The category includes Linux, self-hosted, web, Windows, iOS and macOS platforms. Product coverage differs, so check the individual listing.
Are paid prices listed?
Examples include EVO Mail Server from $259, GreenArrow Engine On-Premises from $600 per month, grommunio from €1.99 per user per month and iRedMail from $10 per year.

