Cypht vs Roundcube (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Cypht and Roundcube share a 2.0 GPA, both are free, so the choice depends on which features you need.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
They get the same grade on all five counts.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Which one is for you
Pick Cypht if
- Fits if you juggle several mailboxes and want them in one self-hosted screen
- Works for people who like switching modules on and off and don't mind PHP
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you want a mail server, because it is a client and your mail stays elsewhere
- Not for you if you don't want to install and maintain software yourself
- Too light for anyone who needs phone or desktop apps, which the site doesn't list
- Watch out: you need to run and update it yourself on your own server
Pick Roundcube if
- Fits if you run your own mail server and want a webmail screen for it
- Works for hosting companies and admins who give users webmail
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you want a mailbox, because it only reads mail from your own IMAP and SMTP servers
- Not for you if you do not run a server, since you install and update it yourself
- Tight if you want a calendar or two-factor sign-in without plugins, as both are third-party
- Watch out: the site warns about scam emails that pretend to come from Roundcube
How we grade them
| 2.0GPACyphtFair | 2.0GPARoundcubeFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | CFree under LGPL v2.1, but you host it, and that needs a server. Self-hosted free is a C for value. | CThe software costs nothing, but it is only free if you host it, which needs a server, PHP 8.1 or newer and a database. Software you host yourself is graded C. |
| Free plan and trial | BFree outright with no caps. You need to install it yourself, which keeps it at B and not A. | BThe whole application is free with no user or message limit. You still pay for the server and mail service it runs on, so it is not free to a person with nothing. |
| Features | CA combined inbox, several protocols, Sieve filters and search across accounts. It is a client only, so mail still lives with other providers. | CA mail client with an address book, shared folders, plugins and skins. It provides no mailbox, and calendar, two-factor sign-in and keyboard shortcuts come from third-party plugins. |
| Ease of use | DNo store rating on record. The site offers an installation guide and a config generator, which means setup is on you. | DSelf-hosting, with a web server and database to set up and keep updated. No store rating on record. |
| Platforms and integrations | CWeb interface only; the site lists no desktop or mobile apps. Its short integration list is Gmail, Outlook and Office 365. | CWeb only, in over 80 languages, with a responsive skin. Nextcloud is the only integration listed. |
| Best for | one self-hosted inbox for several email accounts | webmail you host yourself |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Cypht and Roundcube. How we grade
Price against what you get
Cypht has no paid plan and scores 1.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. Roundcube has no paid plan and scores 1.7.
On this chart the two sit in the same place: the same score for the same starting price. Of the other email apps on the chart, none scores higher than Cypht for less, and none scores higher than Roundcube for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
- Cypht also covers inbox filtering.
In commonFree planWebOpen sourceSelf-hostableEmail client
At a glance
| Cypht | Roundcube | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Free and open source under the LGPL v2.1 license; you host it yourself. | The whole application is free, with no limit on users or messages, but you host it yourself. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Web | ||
| Made by | Cypht | Roundcube project |
| Price read from | cypht.org | roundcube.net |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Cypht
- It is a webmail client, not a mail server; mail still lives with your existing providers.
- You install and maintain it yourself; the site offers an installation guide and a config generator.
- The site lists no desktop or mobile apps, only the web interface.
Roundcube
- It is a client only: it needs your own IMAP and SMTP servers and does not provide a mailbox.
- You install and update it yourself on a web server with PHP 8.1 or newer and a database.
- The site posts a warning about scam emails that pretend to come from Roundcube.
- Calendar, two-factor authentication and other extras come from third-party plugins.
Key features
Cypht
- Combined inbox
- Combined inbox, unread, sent and flagged views span every connected account and RSS feed, alongside normal folder navigation.
- Several protocols
- The site says it reads mail over IMAP, JMAP and EWS and sends over SMTP, through one interface.
- Sieve filters
- Server-side Sieve filtering can move, copy or delete messages by sender, subject, keywords or recipient.
- Module system
- Features are delivered as module sets that can be added or customized without touching the core code.
- Search across accounts
- One search covers all connected email accounts and RSS feeds.
- Compose options
- Messages can be written in plain text, HTML or Markdown, with signature options per profile.
Roundcube
- Full email client in the browser
- Drag-and-drop message management, threaded lists, MIME and HTML mail, spell checking and multiple sender identities.
- Address book
- Contacts with groups, find-as-you-type address entry and LDAP connectors.
- Shared folders and ACLs
- Supports shared and global IMAP folders and access control lists for them.
- Plugins and skins
- A plugin API and skin templates. Third-party additions listed include a calendar module, two-factor authentication and keyboard shortcuts.
- Security features
- Brute-force login prevention, XSS protection, OAuth login and support for PGP encryption.
- Multi-device interface
- A responsive skin, light and dark modes, three-column view and a translation into over 80 languages.
Plans
Cypht
Free$0
Open source under LGPL v2.1. Installed on your own server.
Roundcube
Roundcube Webmail$0
Free under the GPL with unlimited users and messages; you supply the web server, database and mail servers.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Cypht or Roundcube?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Cypht and Roundcube are free to use.
Which has a free plan, Cypht or Roundcube?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Cypht and Roundcube have a free plan.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.