Courier Mail Server vs DAViCal
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted apps from related categories — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Courier Mail Server
Integrated mail server with IMAP, POP, and webmail
VS
DAViCal
Server for sharing calendars and address books via DAV
| Feature | Courier Mail Server | DAViCal |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Mail Servers | Groupware |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | C | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 13 | ★ 200 |
| First released | 2000 | 2007 |
| Replaces | Microsoft Exchange | Google Calendar, Microsoft Exchange |
Why pick each one
Choose Courier Mail Server if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Written in C
- Lightweight — runs in 512 MB RAM
Choose DAViCal if…
- Released under the GPL-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in PHP
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Courier Mail Server or DAViCal better?
DAViCal is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Courier Mail Server if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Courier Mail Server and DAViCal free and open-source?
Yes. Courier Mail Server is licensed under GPL-3.0 and DAViCal under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Courier Mail Server and DAViCal with Docker?
Courier Mail Server: check the project docs for container support. DAViCal: yes.