17.5
Free planAndroidiOSWeb
Best Mail Server Software in 2026
Mail server software runs the services that send, receive, store and deliver email for a domain or organisation. Options here include self-hosted servers and products with web, Windows, Linux or API access. Compare licensing and pricing, then check for a webmail interface, IMAP/POP3 access, mobile sync and antispam tools. Review mailbox limits and high-availability support. Android support appears in platform…
27.5
Free planAndroidiOSWeb
37.5
Free planAndroidiOSWeb
- 4
Stalwart Mail Server
Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS7.2From $1.09 a year - 5
Axigen
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI7.0Free plan - 6
IceWarp
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.0From $1.35 a month - 7
Microsoft Exchange Online
AndroidiOSWebmacOS7.0 - 8
Modoboa
Free planWebLinuxSelf-hosted6.9From €139.30 a year - 9
poste.io
Free planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.8From $349 a year - 10
Kolab
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI6.7Free plan - 11
Kerio Connect
AndroidiOSWebAPI6.6 - 12
iRedMail
WebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.5From $10 a year - 13
Zimbra Collaboration
AndroidiOSWebLinux6.5 - 14
Citadel
Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS6.4Free plan - 15
Courier Mail Server
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted6.4Free plan - 16
Exim
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows6.2Free plan - 17
Mailu
Free planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.2Free plan - 18
MDaemon Messaging Server
AndroidiOSWebSelf-hosted6.2 - 19
HCL Domino
AndroidiOSWebAPI6.1 - 20
hMailServer
Free planAPILinuxSelf-hostedWindows6.1Free plan - 21
qmail
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted6.1Free plan - 22
Apache James
Free planAPILinuxSelf-hostedWindows6.0Free plan - 23
Cyrus IMAP
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted5.9Free plan - 24
Dovecot
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted5.9Free plan - 25
Maddy Mail Server
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted5.9Free plan
Choosing well
Check platform and phone access
Confirm whether the server runs self-hosted, Linux or Windows, and whether it provides a web interface or API. These choices affect administration and integration.
For phone use, look for stated Android or iOS support and mobile sync. HCL Domino lists Android and iOS platforms; platform details vary by product.
Match mail access features
IMAP and POP3 access determine how mail clients connect to stored messages. A webmail interface can provide browser access without a separate desktop client.
Check whether the product includes mobile sync if contacts, calendars or mail need to stay aligned across devices.
Review antispam and availability
Compare the antispam tools listed for a server before deployment. Also check high-availability support when continuity during failures matters.
Treat these as separate checks from basic mail delivery, since a product may list access features without describing availability or filtering.
Compare plans and licensing
Look at the license model and the listed paid starting point. A free plan can help with evaluation, while a free trial gives a time-limited way to assess a paid product.
Examples of listed offers include free plans from Apache James, Citadel and Dovecot, plus trials for Axigen and IceWarp.
Check mailbox limits
Review the stated mailbox limit against your expected storage needs. Confirm whether the limit applies per account, domain or installation before committing.
Keep this check separate from pricing, because a low entry cost does not describe storage capacity.
Questions people ask
Can I use mail server software with Android?
Android availability depends on the product's stated platforms and sync options. HCL Domino lists Android; check the product details for the server you are considering.
Do these mail servers offer webmail?
Webmail interface is a comparison field for this category. Check the individual product details to confirm whether browser-based mail access is provided.
Are free plans available?
A free plan is offered by products on this list, while paid products can list trials or pricing on request. Check the plan and license details for the product you want.
What mail protocols should I check?
Look for IMAP and POP3 access when connecting standard mail clients. The comparison fields identify protocol support for individual products.
Why does high availability matter?
High availability helps keep mail services running during a failure or maintenance event. Check whether the product lists this capability before deployment.