docker-mailserver vs Modoboa (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Modoboa grades higher than docker-mailserver: 2.2 against 1.8 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Modoboa grades higher on features and platforms. They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan and ease of use.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
docker-mailserver
Self-hosted mail server packaged as a Docker container
Which one is for you
Pick docker-mailserver if
- Fits if you are comfortable with Docker and a config file and want your own mail server
- Works for people who read documentation and fix things themselves
Look elsewhere if
- Not for you if you want a settings page, because setup is by files, variables and the command line
- Skip it if you want paid support, as help comes from the community and the docs
- Too much work if you don't want to handle DNS, TLS certificates and deliverability
- Watch out: the listing shows no webmail or admin screen
Pick Modoboa if
- Fits if you want to run your own mail for several domains with one admin panel
- Works for admins who already look after Linux servers and DNS
Look elsewhere if
- Not for you if you don't want to run DNS, deliverability and updates yourself
- Skip it if you want paid support built in: installation starts at EUR 150 and issue help at EUR 120
- Too heavy for one person who just wants an inbox
- Watch out: parts of its development are funded by sponsoring campaigns with euro targets
How we grade them
| 1.8GPAdocker-mailserverWeak | 2.2GPAModoboaFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | CFree under MIT, but it only runs on a Docker host you look after, so self-hosted free is a C. | CFree and open source (ISC licence) with unlimited domains and mailboxes, but only if you host it. Self-hosted free is a C for value. |
| Free plan and trial | BFree outright, no plan limits. You need your own Docker host, so a B and not an A. | BFree outright. You need your own server to run it, so a B. |
| Features | CSMTP, IMAP, antispam, antivirus, Sieve and account provisioning in one container. It does the server job but the listing shows no web admin panel or webmail. | BA full stack in one installer: admin panel, webmail, filters, auto-responder, sender reputation tools and monitoring. We found no gap in the mail-server job in the listing. |
| Ease of use | DNo store rating on record. Configuration is by files, environment variables and command-line tools, per its own docs, so a D. | DNo store rating on record. You run the server, DNS and mail delivery yourself, which is a D whatever the quick installer promises. |
| Platforms and integrations | DLinux and Docker only. It connects through Postfix, Dovecot, Rspamd, Fail2Ban and ClamAV and has no apps. | CWeb admin and webmail only, on a server you run. It lists Postfix, Dovecot, Rspamd and Let's Encrypt, but no apps. |
| Best for | a mail server in one Docker container | a self-hosted mail server with an admin panel |
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: docker-mailserver and Modoboa. How we grade
Price against what you get
docker-mailserver has no paid plan and scores 1.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. Modoboa has no paid plan and scores 2.0.
Modoboa scores higher for the same starting price. Of the other email apps on the chart, none scores higher than docker-mailserver for less, and none scores higher than Modoboa 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
- Modoboa also covers calendar and email client.
At a glance
| docker-mailserver | Modoboa | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Free and open source under the MIT license; you run the container yourself. | The software is free and open source (ISC license on GitHub); you host it on your own server. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Web | ||
| Linux | ||
| Made by | docker-mailserver community | NGYNLABS |
| Price read from | github.com | modoboa.org |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
docker-mailserver
- Configuration is done through files, environment variables and command-line tooling, per the documentation.
- Setup and upkeep, including DNS, TLS certificates and deliverability, are on you.
- Support comes from the community and documentation, not a paid plan.
Modoboa
- You run and maintain the server yourself, including DNS and deliverability.
- Paid help is offered separately: installation from EUR 150 and issue assistance from EUR 120, per the site.
- Features are funded partly through sponsoring campaigns with euro targets.
Key features
docker-mailserver
- All-in-one container
- The GitHub project describes a production-ready, full-stack mail server running inside a container.
- Postfix and Dovecot
- The documentation names Postfix as the MTA and Dovecot as the MDA.
- Spam and malware filtering
- Rspamd and Fail2Ban are documented, along with DKIM, DMARC and SPF setup.
- Account provisioning
- Accounts can come from files or from an LDAP service, and OAuth2 authentication is documented.
- Sieve filtering
- Email filtering with Sieve is documented, plus a forward-only mode with LDAP.
Modoboa
- Admin panel
- A web panel manages domains, mailboxes, aliases and more.
- Built-in webmail
- Users can read mail in a browser through the bundled webmail, which also has calendars and address books.
- Filters and auto-responder
- Users can create filtering rules and an auto-responder.
- Sender reputation tools
- The site says DKIM, SPF and DMARC are used to protect delivery, and TLS certificates come from Let's Encrypt.
- Monitoring
- Built-in graphs show message distribution by type and average size.
- Quick installer
- The site says the installer handles most of the work and you only need to configure DNS.
Plans
docker-mailserver
Free$0
Open source under the MIT license. Run it on your own Docker host.
Modoboa
Free$0
Open-source mail server you install yourself, with unlimited domains, mailboxes and aliases.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, docker-mailserver or Modoboa?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both docker-mailserver and Modoboa are free to use.
Which has a free plan, docker-mailserver or Modoboa?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both docker-mailserver and Modoboa have a free plan.
Which platforms do docker-mailserver and Modoboa run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only docker-mailserver lists a Linux app and only Modoboa lists a web app. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
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.