Skip to content

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

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
SmarterMailThis toolFree plan · from $550YesWeb, Windows, Linux
AxigenFree planYesWeb, Windows, Linux
MDaemonFree trialTrial onlyWeb, macOS, Windows
IceWarpFree trial · from $1.50/moTrial onlyWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
ZimbraPaidNoWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
GFI KerioConnectFree trialTrial onlymacOS, Windows, Linux
hMailServerFreeFreeWindows

How each one differs from SmarterMail

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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.
SmarterMail pricing and details

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.

Keep reading

  • +3
    Alternatives

    The best Superhuman Mail alternatives in 2026

    Seven email tools that can replace Superhuman Mail, including two with free plans, lower-priced clients and options for accounts beyond Gmail and Outlook. Each pick says who it suits and where it stops.

    7 tools · Updated October 2026

  • +5
    Best of

    The best email apps in 2026

    Nine email tools compared: clients for Gmail and Outlook, two email services of their own, a filter for the app you already use and two team inboxes. Each pick says who it suits and what it costs.

    9 tools · Updated October 2026