# Mailcow

> Mailcow is a free, open-source app you can self-host in the email servers category. Mail server suite based on Dovecot, Postfix and other open source software, that provides a modern Web UI for administration. It has 13,563 GitHub stars, is released under the GPL-3.0 license and ships a Docker image. It is a self-hosted alternative to Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 and Gmail.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | https://github.com/mailcow/mailcow-dockerized |
| Website | https://mailcow.email/ |
| GitHub stars | 13,563 |
| Forks | 1,820 |
| Open issues | 464 |
| License | GPL-3.0 |
| License type | Open source |
| Language | JavaScript |
| Docker image | Yes |
| Platforms | Docker, PHP |
| Categories | Email Servers |
| Commits, last 12 months | 316 |
| Last commit | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Latest release | 2026-09 (Sep 21, 2026) |
| Created | Dec 9, 2016 |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained |
| Archived | No |

Topics: mailcow, mailserver, groupware, sogo, rspamd, postfix, dovecot, docker, servercow, hacktoberfest

## Install

Mailcow ships a Docker image; follow the README at https://github.com/mailcow/mailcow-dockerized for the image name and environment variables.

Need it installed for you? [appsgit installation help](https://appsgit.com/services/install): a fixed quote by email, single app installs from $79.

## Mailcow replaces

- [Google Workspace alternatives](https://appsgit.com/alternatives/google-workspace): Google's suite of email, calendar, docs and storage for teams.
- [Microsoft 365 alternatives](https://appsgit.com/alternatives/microsoft-365): Microsoft's subscription suite of Office apps, Exchange mail and Teams chat.
- [Gmail alternatives](https://appsgit.com/alternatives/gmail): Google's email service with web and mobile apps.

## Similar apps in Email Servers

- [docker-mailserver](https://appsgit.com/apps/docker-mailserver): Production-ready fullstack but simple mail server (SMTP, IMAP, LDAP, Antispam, Antivirus, etc.) running inside a container. Only configuration files, no SQL database. (18,903 stars, MIT, Shell, Docker)
- [Postal](https://appsgit.com/apps/postal): Complete and fully featured mail server for use by websites & web servers. (16,854 stars, MIT, Ruby, Docker)
- [Mail-in-a-Box](https://appsgit.com/apps/mail-in-a-box): Turns any Ubuntu server into a fully functional mail server with one command. (15,435 stars, CC0-1.0, Python)
- [Stalwart Mail Server](https://appsgit.com/apps/stalwart-mail-server): All-in-one mail server with JMAP, IMAP4, and SMTP support and a wide range of modern features. (14,971 stars, AGPL-3.0, Rust, Docker)
- [Mailu](https://appsgit.com/apps/mailu): Simple yet full-featured mail server as a set of Docker images. (7,537 stars, MIT, Python, Docker)
- [Roundcube](https://appsgit.com/apps/roundcube): Browser-based IMAP client with an application-like user interface. (7,207 stars, GPL-3.0, PHP)
- [SimpleLogin](https://appsgit.com/apps/simplelogin): Open source email alias solution to protect your email address. Comes with browser extensions and mobile apps. (7,037 stars, AGPL-3.0, Python, Docker)
- [Maddy Mail Server](https://appsgit.com/apps/maddy-mail-server): All-in-one mail server that implements SMTP (both MTA and MX) and IMAP. Replaces Postfix, Dovecot, OpenDKIM, OpenSPF, OpenDMARC with single daemon. (6,099 stars, GPL-3.0, Go)

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