MDaemon vs SmarterMail (2026): which should you pick?

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

Pick SmarterMail if

• Fits if you run up to 10 mailboxes on one domain and want a free server
• Works for small hosts who need webmail and shared calendars

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you need to know the licence term, as the pricing page doesn't say one-time or annual
• Pricey if you add ActiveSync, MAPI/EWS or the antispam and antivirus engines
• Tight if you need meetings, chat or archiving, which are Enterprise only
• Watch out: antispam and antivirus add-ons need an annual licence with active maintenance

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.

SmarterMail

• ActiveSync (from $325 for 25 mailboxes), MAPI/EWS and the antispam and antivirus engines are paid add-ons.
• The pricing page does not say whether base licenses are one-time or annual.
• Antispam and antivirus add-ons need an annual license with active maintenance and support.

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.

SmarterMail

Webmail

A browser interface the vendor compares to Outlook on the web, with calendars, contacts, notes and tasks.

Shared collaboration

Shared calendars, contacts, tasks and notes, plus file storage under your own control.

Meetings and chat

Enterprise adds online meetings with screen sharing, scheduling and voice and video chat.

Archiving

Built-in archiving of email and chats for regulatory needs such as SOX and HIPAA.

Outlook and mobile sync

Enterprise can add MAPI and EWS for Outlook and Exchange ActiveSync for phones, both priced separately.

High availability

A clustered edition with hubs, nodes and centralized storage for fault tolerance.

MDaemon

Pricing could not be confirmed. See mdaemon.com.

SmarterMail

• Free$0

  One domain, up to 10 mailboxes; the vendor says it has 99% of Enterprise functionality.

• Professional$550

  for 50 mailboxes; billing term not shown

  Webmail, shared calendars, contacts, tasks, notes, file storage. $2,500 for unlimited.

• Enterprise$700

  for 50 mailboxes; billing term not shown

  Adds meetings, scheduling, chat and archiving. $1,500 at 500 mailboxes.

• Enterprise, unlimited$3,200

  for unlimited mailboxes; billing term not shown

  Enterprise edition with no mailbox cap.

• High Availability$250

  per hub / month; nodes $300 per month

  Clustered hubs and nodes for unlimited users and domains; first 30 days free.