Alternatives · Email
SmarterMail alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded SmarterMail alternative is IceWarp (2.6 GPA). The best free one is Axigen (2.2 GPA).
SmarterMail compared with 6 alternatives: Axigen, MDaemon, IceWarp, Zimbra, GFI KerioConnect and 1 more.
SmarterMail has a free plan. Paid plans start at $550 for Professional with 50 mailboxes; license term not stated. 2 of the 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 3 more offer a free trial.
Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
Black Friday: is there a SmarterMail sale?
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| SmarterMailThis tool | Free plan · from $550 | Yes | Web, Windows, Linux |
| Axigen | Free plan | Yes | Web, Windows, Linux |
| MDaemon | Free trial | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows |
| IceWarp | Free trial · from $1.50/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Zimbra | Paid | No | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| GFI KerioConnect | Free trial | Trial only | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| hMailServer | Free | Free | Windows |
How each one differs from SmarterMail
Axigen
Mail server with calendars and webmail for Windows and Linux
- Axigen does not cover file sharing, which SmarterMail does.
Suits: Small teams that fit within 10 free users
MDaemon
Email server for Windows with webmail and Outlook connector
- MDaemon has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike SmarterMail.
- MDaemon also lists a macOS app.
- MDaemon lists no Linux app, which SmarterMail has.
- MDaemon does not cover file sharing, which SmarterMail does.
Suits: Windows-based IT teams replacing a legacy mail server
IceWarp
Business email, chat, files and meetings, cloud or self-hosted
- IceWarp starts at $1.50 per user / month, billed monthly ($1.35 billed annually).
- IceWarp has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike SmarterMail.
- IceWarp also lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- IceWarp lists no Linux app, which SmarterMail has.
- IceWarp also covers team chat and video calls.
Suits: Small teams wanting email plus chat and meetings in one suite
Zimbra
Self-hosted email, calendar and file sharing for organizations
- Zimbra has no free plan, unlike SmarterMail.
- Zimbra also lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- Zimbra is open source, according to its own site.
- Zimbra also covers tasks.
- Zimbra does not cover file sharing, which SmarterMail does.
Suits: Companies and schools that need to keep email on servers they control
GFI KerioConnect
Self-hosted business mail server with calendar, chat and local AI
- GFI KerioConnect has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike SmarterMail.
- GFI KerioConnect also lists a macOS app.
- GFI KerioConnect lists no web app, which SmarterMail has.
- GFI KerioConnect also covers shared inbox.
- GFI KerioConnect does not cover file sharing, which SmarterMail does.
Suits: Organizations that want to run their own mail server
hMailServer
Free open-source mail server that runs on Windows
- hMailServer is free.
- hMailServer lists no web app and Linux app, which SmarterMail has.
- hMailServer is open source, according to its own site.
- hMailServer also covers workflow automation.
- hMailServer does not cover calendar, email client and file sharing, which SmarterMail does.
Suits: Administrators who want a free mail server on Windows
Limits worth knowing in SmarterMail
- ActiveSync (from $325 for 25 mailboxes), MAPI/EWS and the antispam and antivirus engines are paid add-ons.
- The pricing page does not say whether base licenses are one-time or annual.
- Antispam and antivirus add-ons need an annual license with active maintenance and support.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to SmarterMail?
The alternatives to SmarterMail in this directory are Axigen, MDaemon, IceWarp, Zimbra, GFI KerioConnect and hMailServer. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with SmarterMail.
Is there a free alternative to SmarterMail?
Yes. hMailServer is free to use. Axigen has a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which SmarterMail alternatives work on macOS?
The SmarterMail listing does not include a macOS app. MDaemon, IceWarp, Zimbra and GFI KerioConnect list one.
Which SmarterMail alternatives work on Android?
The SmarterMail listing does not include an Android app. IceWarp and Zimbra list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to SmarterMail?
Zimbra and hMailServer are described as open source on their own sites.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Nov 12, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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