docker-mailserver review (2026): is it any good?
Self-hosted mail server packaged as a Docker container
docker-mailserver report card
Weak · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for a mail server in one Docker container
docker-mailserver puts Postfix, Dovecot, Rspamd and Sieve filtering into one container, under the MIT licence. You configure it with files, environment variables and the command line, and DNS, certificates and deliverability are all yours.
Who docker-mailserver is for
- 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
Who docker-mailserver is not for
- 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
Why docker-mailserver gets a 1.8
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- CValue for moneyFree under MIT, but it only runs on a Docker host you look after, so self-hosted free is a C.
- BFree plan and trialFree outright, no plan limits. You need your own Docker host, so a B and not an A.
- CFeaturesSMTP, 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.
- DEase of useNo store rating on record. Configuration is by files, environment variables and command-line tools, per its own docs, so a D.
- DPlatforms and integrationsLinux and Docker only. It connects through Postfix, Dovecot, Rspamd, Fail2Ban and ClamAV and has no apps.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from docker-mailserver's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
Make docker-mailserver? Put this grade on your site
Paste this where you want the badge. It links here and follows the grade if it changes. About badges
<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/docker-mailserver#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/docker-mailserver.svg" alt="docker-mailserver: 1.8 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where docker-mailserver stands among email apps
docker-mailserver's GPA of 1.8 is higher than 2 of the 122 other email apps we grade, and level with 8.
It stands best on free plan and trial (B, above 69 of 122) and worst on ease of use (D, above 0).
docker-mailserver has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.3 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 123 email apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. docker-mailserver’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 13 of 122, level with 53
- BFree plan and trialAbove 69 of 122, level with 27
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 122, level with 77
- DEase of useAbove 0 of 122, level with 19
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 122, level with 9
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 107 email apps. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
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
Keep docker-mailserver, or make your own?
Keep it
docker-mailserver is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 112 of the 122 other email apps grade higher.
What you could not
- A real app for Linux. Something home-made would be a web page.
- It plugs into other products, Postfix, Dovecot and Rspamd among them.
What this rests on. docker-mailserver’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is docker-mailserver?
docker-mailserver is an open-source, full mail server (SMTP, IMAP, LDAP, antispam and antivirus) that runs inside a single container. It bundles Postfix and Dovecot with Rspamd, Fail2Ban and Sieve filtering, and is configured through files and environment variables.
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- 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.
docker-mailserver pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, docker-mailserver is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Free and open source under the MIT license; you run the container yourself.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Open source under the MIT license. Run it on your own Docker host. |
Read from github.com on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with docker-mailserver before you buy.
Works with
- Postfix
- Dovecot
- Rspamd
- Fail2Ban
- ClamAV
docker-mailserver alternatives
- docker-mailserver vs Stalwart Mail Server
Free plan · from $2.40/yr
Common questions
Does docker-mailserver have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. docker-mailserver is listed for Linux.
Does docker-mailserver have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. docker-mailserver is listed for Linux.
Is docker-mailserver open source?
Yes. docker-mailserver is open source, according to its own site. It can also be run on a server of your own.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026.