iRedMail vs Zimbra (2026): which should you pick?

iRedMail

• Admins who want a self-run mail server without per-mailbox fees
• Hosting a mail server for several domains on one machine

Zimbra

• Companies and schools that need to keep email on servers they control
• Hosting providers offering white-labeled email to customers
• Teams moving off Microsoft Exchange who want Outlook compatibility

iRedMail

• The iRedAdmin-Pro license covers one server, and support for iRedMail itself is not included.
• Runs on supported Linux and BSD releases; SOGo is not available on some of them (CentOS Stream, Rocky and Alma 10).
• The site recommends Enterprise Edition for new servers; its per-mailbox or per-server price was not readable.

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.

iRedMail

Full stack installer

Installs and configures the mail server components in a few minutes, per the site.

Webmail and groupware

Roundcube webmail and SOGo groupware, which adds CalDAV, CardDAV, tasks and ActiveSync.

Antispam and antivirus

SpamAssassin, ClamAV, SPF, DKIM, greylisting, whitelisting and blacklisting are listed.

Choice of backends

Accounts can be stored in OpenLDAP, MySQL, MariaDB or PostgreSQL.

Unlimited accounts

The site says there is no limit on domains, users, mailing lists or admins.

Enterprise Edition

A separate edition with Active Directory replication, domain admins, throttling and two-factor authentication.

Zimbra

Mail, calendar and contacts

A web client with advanced and attachment search, personal and global address lists, group and resource scheduling, and tasks.

Two editions

Zimbra Daffodil (v10) needs a license, sold as Professional or Standard. Professional has additional features over Standard.

Desktop and mobile access

Zimbra Desktop for Windows, macOS and Linux, a Connector for Outlook on Windows, and ActiveSync on iOS and Android.

Standards-based clients

Works with IMAP, POP, CalDAV and CardDAV, so Thunderbird, Apple Mail and similar clients can connect.

Security and admin controls

Built-in anti-spam and antivirus, two-factor sign-in, LDAP or Active Directory, SAML sign-in and delegated administration.

Deployment options

Install on your own servers, run it in the cloud on AWS or OCI, or use a hosting partner, with multiple domains per install.

iRedMail

• iRedMail$0

  Open-source installer with unlimited domains, mailboxes and mailing lists.

• iRedAdmin-Pro, 1 year$499

  per server, for a 1-year license

  Full admin panel, SQL or LDAP edition. Renews at $250 per year; sales are final.

• iRedAdmin-Pro, 2 years$699

  per server, for a 2-year license

  Same panel; renew before expiry for the third year.

• iRedAdmin-Pro, 3 years$899

  per server, for a 3-year license

  Same panel; renew before expiry for the fourth year.

Zimbra

Pricing could not be confirmed. See zimbra.com.

iRedMail

• Other savings

  5% off two licenses, 10% off four

  The iRedAdmin-Pro order page gives 5% off when buying 2 licenses and 10% off when buying 4.

Zimbra

No public discounts listed.