The docker-mailserver Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about docker-mailserver in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
docker-mailserver
The Insider’s Guide
Self-hosted mail server packaged as a Docker container
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among email apps, read from docker-mailserver’s own pages.
Made by docker-mailserver community · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from docker-mailserver’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on docker-mailserver’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
1.8
GPA, above 2 of the 122 other email apps we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about docker-mailserver, taken from its own pages and our grades.
You configure it with files, environment variables and the command line, and DNS, certificates and deliverability are all yours.
- 1
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.
- 2
It is free
docker-mailserver has no paid plan at all. Free and open source under the MIT license; you run the container yourself.
- 3
It runs on Linux
Linux.
- 4
All-in-one container
The GitHub project describes a production-ready, full-stack mail server running inside a container.
- 5
Postfix and Dovecot
The documentation names Postfix as the MTA and Dovecot as the MDA.
- 6
Spam and malware filtering
Rspamd and Fail2Ban are documented, along with DKIM, DMARC and SPF setup.
- 7
A 1.8 GPA, above 2 of 122
That is against the other email apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
docker-mailserver is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
docker-mailserver at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Linux
- Made by
- docker-mailserver community
- Category
- Email Apps
- Our grade
- 1.8 GPA, weak
The report card
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.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | Free under MIT, but it only runs on a Docker host you look after, so self-hosted free is a C. |
| Free plan and trial | B | Free outright, no plan limits. You need your own Docker host, so a B and not an A. |
| Features | C | SMTP, 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. |
| Ease of use | D | No store rating on record. Configuration is by files, environment variables and command-line tools, per its own docs, so a D. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Linux and Docker only. It connects through Postfix, Dovecot, Rspamd, Fail2Ban and ClamAV and has no apps. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
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 it 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
Good to know
Good for
- Technical users who want a mail server managed as config files
- Self-hosters already running Docker
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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
docker-mailserver is free to use.
Free under MIT, but it only runs on a Docker host you look after, so self-hosted free is a C.
Free
$0
Open source under the MIT license. Run it on your own Docker host.
The free plan
Free and open source under the MIT license; you run the container yourself.
Read from github.com on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Linux
Self-hosted mail server packaged as a Docker container. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, self-hostable.
SMTP, IMAP, antispam, antivirus, Sieve and account provisioning in one container.
- 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.
Where it runs
- Linux
What it works with
- Postfix
- Dovecot
- Rspamd
- Fail2Ban
- ClamAV
docker-mailserver is made by docker-mailserver community.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
2/122
Other email apps it is graded above
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
- BFree plan and trialAbove 69 of 122
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 122
- DEase of useAbove 0 of 122
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 122
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 107 email apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. docker-mailserver is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
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.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
mailcow, Mailu, Stalwart Mail Server, Mail-in-a-Box and Modoboa
The 5 tools docker-mailserver is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
mailcow
Free
Dockerized open-source mail server with a web admin UI.
- Only docker-mailserver lists a Linux app.
- Only mailcow lists a web app.
- mailcow also covers calendar and email client.
- 2.0GPA
Mailu
Free
Free Docker-based mail server with webmail and admin UI.
- Only docker-mailserver lists a Linux app.
- Only Mailu lists a web app.
- Mailu also covers email client and dMARC.
- 2.2GPA
Stalwart Mail Server
Free plan · from $2.40/yr
Open-source mail and collaboration server written in Rust.
- Only docker-mailserver lists a Linux app.
- Only Stalwart Mail Server lists a web app.
- Stalwart Mail Server also covers calendar, email client, file sharing and dMARC.
- 2.0GPA
Mail-in-a-Box
Free
Free script that turns a cloud server into your own mail server.
- Only docker-mailserver lists a Linux app.
- Only Mail-in-a-Box lists a web app.
- Mail-in-a-Box also covers calendar and email client.
- 2.2GPA
Modoboa
Free
Open-source mail server with a web admin panel and webmail.
- Only docker-mailserver lists a Linux app.
- Only Modoboa lists a web app.
- Modoboa also covers calendar and email client.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is docker-mailserver free?
Yes. docker-mailserver is free to use. Free and open source under the MIT license; you run the container yourself.
How much does docker-mailserver cost?
docker-mailserver lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does docker-mailserver work on?
docker-mailserver is available on Linux.
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.
What does docker-mailserver integrate with?
docker-mailserver's listing names Postfix, Dovecot, Rspamd, Fail2Ban and ClamAV.
Who makes docker-mailserver?
docker-mailserver is made by docker-mailserver community.
What are the alternatives to docker-mailserver?
The closest alternatives to docker-mailserver in our directory are mailcow, Mailu, Stalwart Mail Server, Mail-in-a-Box and Modoboa.
How does docker-mailserver compare with other 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.
Is docker-mailserver good value for money?
ToolGPA grades docker-mailserver C for value for money. docker-mailserver has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of docker-mailserver?
docker-mailserver is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from docker-mailserver’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. 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.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by docker-mailserver community. Prices change, so check docker-mailserver.github.io before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- docker-mailserver, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/docker-mailserver
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "docker-mailserver: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/docker-mailserver
Know someone choosing between email apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/docker-mailserver/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded email apps after docker-mailserver, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Email Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 126 email apps we grade, compared
- Microsoft Outlook Insider's GuideMicrosoft's email and calendar app for desktop, mobile and web3.6 GPA
- AOL Mail Insider's GuideFree webmail with news and weather in a companion mobile app3.2 GPA
- BlueMail Insider's GuideCross-platform email client with a unified inbox and built-in AI3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what docker-mailserver’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. docker-mailserver is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by docker-mailserver community. Prices and plans change: check docker-mailserver.github.io before you buy.