GFI KerioConnect vs MDaemon (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, GFI KerioConnect grades higher than MDaemon: 2.2 against 2.0 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
GFI KerioConnect grades higher on features. They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan, ease of use and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
GFI KerioConnect
Self-hosted business mail server with calendar, chat and local AI
Free trial
Which one is for you
Pick GFI KerioConnect if
- Fits if you want to run your own mail server for a business and keep the mail in-house
- Works for offices already on Outlook and ActiveSync phones that need a shared calendar
Look elsewhere if
- Not for you if you don't want to install and administer a server
- Skip it if you want a price to compare, as none is published and you go through a reseller
- Tight if you want a free plan, since all you get is a 30-day trial
- Watch out: the product is now branded GFI KerioConnect and its pages moved to gfi.ai
Pick MDaemon if
- Fits if you run Windows servers and want an Exchange replacement for 5 to 2,500 users
- Works for resellers who want hosted and MSP options
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you want a price to compare, as none is shown
- Pricey if you add the Outlook Connector, ActiveSync and AntiVirus, which are separate licences
- Tight if you need phone support: it is $120 per incident unless you agree to the vendor's priority terms
- Not for you if you want a free plan, as only a 30-day trial is offered
How we grade them
| 2.2GPAGFI KerioConnectFair | 2.0GPAMDaemonFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | CNo price is published. The Buy now page sends you to a GFI reseller for a quote, so we can't place it against the $8 email middle. | CNo price on the pages we could read; they come from an order configurator. Licences cover 5 to 2,500 users and 1 to 3 years. With nothing published it is a C. |
| Free plan and trial | C30-day trial with a download link and licence key sent by email. The listing doesn't say whether a card is needed, and there's no free plan. | CA free 30-day trial is offered. The page we read doesn't say whether it needs a card, and there is no free plan. |
| Features | BMail, calendar, contacts, chat, security tools and local AI features in one server. Nothing in the listing shows a gap in the core job. | CMail, webmail and client, Outlook support, ActiveSync, hosted and MSP options. The Outlook Connector, ActiveSync and AntiVirus are separately licensed. |
| Ease of use | DIt is a server you install and administer yourself, not a hosted service. No store rating on record. | DNo store rating on record. It is a server you install and administer, a D. |
| Platforms and integrations | BRuns on Windows, Mac and Linux, and works with Outlook, ActiveSync phones, Spark and CalDAV and CardDAV clients. | BWindows server with webmail and a Mac client listed, plus Outlook, ActiveSync and MailStore. |
| Best for | a self-hosted business mail server | an Exchange-style mail server for Windows |
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: GFI KerioConnect and MDaemon. How we grade
Where they differ
- GFI KerioConnect also covers shared inbox.
In commonWindowsmacOSSelf-hostableCalendarEmail client
At a glance
| GFI KerioConnect | MDaemon | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free trial | Free trial |
| Starts at | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | None | None |
| Free trial | 30-day free trial with a download link and licence key sent by email | Free 30-day trial of MDaemon Email Server |
| Web | ||
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Made by | GFI USA, LLC | MDaemon Technologies, Ltd. |
| Price read from | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
GFI KerioConnect
- No prices are published; the Buy now page sends visitors to a certified GFI reseller for a quote.
- It is a server product that the buyer installs and administers, not a hosted mailbox service.
- The product is now branded GFI KerioConnect and its pages sit on gfi.ai.
MDaemon
- Prices are set in an order configurator and could not be read as page text, so none are listed.
- Priority phone support needs agreeing to the vendor's terms; otherwise phone support is $120 per incident.
- Outlook Connector, ActiveSync and AntiVirus are separately licensed add-ons.
Key features
GFI KerioConnect
- Mail, calendar and collaboration
- Email sits beside shared calendars, contacts, tasks, notes, shared and public folders, and room booking with attendee availability.
- Client and mobile support
- Works with Outlook on Windows and Mac, native Mac apps and other IMAP or POP clients. Phones sync by Microsoft ActiveSync or IMAP, CalDAV and CardDAV.
- Local AI features
- The AI edition summarizes emails, drafts replies and flags phishing or compliance risks, and the vendor says it runs on on-premise models with no cloud APIs.
- Built-in security
- SSL encryption, S/MIME, spam filtering, an antivirus engine, attack blocking, automated backup with granular restore and server-wide archiving.
- Chat
- Integrated instant messaging is XMPP-compatible, so third-party chat apps can connect, with online status for colleagues.
MDaemon
- Email server for Windows
- The product page describes a powerful email server for Windows, deployable on physical or virtual servers.
- Webmail and client
- The page highlights a Windows and macOS email client and MDaemon Webmail.
- Outlook support
- MDaemon Connector for Outlook adds groupware features for people who prefer Microsoft Outlook.
- ActiveSync
- An add-on syncs email, calendar, contacts and tasks with ActiveSync devices.
- AntiVirus add-on
- MDaemon AntiVirus adds anti-spam, anti-virus, anti-phishing and anti-malware features.
- Hosted and MSP options
- MDaemon can also be delivered hosted, and the vendor describes SaaS licensing for service providers.
Plans
GFI KerioConnect
Pricing could not be confirmed. See gfi.ai.
MDaemon
Pricing could not be confirmed. See mdaemon.com.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, GFI KerioConnect or MDaemon?
As of Nov 13, 2026, GFI KerioConnect has no price we could confirm, and MDaemon has no price we could confirm.
Which has a free plan, GFI KerioConnect or MDaemon?
As of Nov 13, 2026, neither GFI KerioConnect nor MDaemon has a free plan. Both have a free trial.
Which platforms do GFI KerioConnect and MDaemon run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only GFI KerioConnect lists a Linux app and only MDaemon lists a web app. Both list macOS and Windows apps. 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.