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Alternatives · Email

Zimbra alternatives

As of Nov 13, 2026, the best Zimbra alternative for most people is Microsoft Outlook (3.6 GPA), first in our ranking of email apps. It's also the best free one. The catch, in its listing's words: "Free Outlook for 1 person."

Zimbra compared with 5 alternatives: Roundcube, mailbox, Zoho Mail, Fastmail and Microsoft Outlook.

Zimbra's current pricing could not be confirmed from its own site. 3 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.

Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from

Black Friday: is there a Zimbra sale?

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
ZimbraThis toolPaidNoWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
RoundcubeFreeFreeWeb
mailboxFree trial · from €1/moTrial onlyWeb
Zoho MailFree plan · from $1/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
FastmailFree trial · from $3/moTrial onlyWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Microsoft OutlookFree plan · from $1.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android

How each one differs from Zimbra

  1. Roundcube

    Free open-source webmail client you host yourself

    • Roundcube is free.
    • Roundcube has a free plan, which Zimbra lacks.
    • Roundcube lists no Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps, which Zimbra has.
    • Roundcube does not cover tasks and calendar, which Zimbra does.

    Suits: Hosting companies and admins who want to give their users webmail

    Roundcube vs ZimbraRoundcube pricing and details

  2. mailbox

    Paid, ad-free email with cloud storage and office tools from Germany

    • mailbox starts at €1 per month, annual payment only (€12 a year, Light).
    • mailbox lists no Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps, which Zimbra has.
    • mailbox is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • mailbox also covers documents, video calls and file sync.

    Suits: People who want paid, ad-free email hosted in Germany

    mailbox vs Zimbramailbox pricing and details

  3. Zoho Mail

    Ad-free business email hosting with calendar, tasks and notes

    • Zoho Mail starts at $1 per user / month, billed annually (Mail Lite, 5 GB).
    • Zoho Mail has a free plan, which Zimbra lacks.

    Suits: Small businesses that want low-cost email on their own domain

    Zoho Mail vs ZimbraZoho Mail pricing and details

  4. Fastmail

    Paid, ad-free email with calendar, contacts and custom domains

    • Fastmail starts at $3 per user / month, billed yearly (Basic); Individual is $5, billed yearly.
    • Fastmail does not cover tasks, which Zimbra does.

    Suits: People leaving free, ad-funded email for a paid private service

    Fastmail vs ZimbraFastmail pricing and details

  5. Microsoft Outlook

    Microsoft's email and calendar app for desktop, mobile and web

    • Microsoft Outlook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Basic).
    • Microsoft Outlook has a free plan, which Zimbra lacks.
    • Microsoft Outlook lists no Linux app, which Zimbra has.
    • Microsoft Outlook also covers inbox filtering.

    Suits: People who want mail, calendar and contacts from several accounts in one app

    Microsoft Outlook vs ZimbraMicrosoft Outlook pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Zimbra

  • Pricing is not published; Zimbra is licensed, and renewals go through an account manager.
  • The FAQ calls the Open Source Edition end of life, with no updates or support.
  • Features such as backup and restore, Zimbra Office and large-scale mobile sync need the commercial license.
  • Chat and real-time collaboration are protected in transit only, not end-to-end encrypted.
Zimbra pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Zimbra?

The alternatives to Zimbra in this directory are Roundcube, mailbox, Zoho Mail, Fastmail and Microsoft Outlook. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Zimbra.

Is there a free alternative to Zimbra?

Yes. Roundcube is free to use. Zoho Mail and Microsoft Outlook have a free plan alongside paid ones.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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