Courier Mail Server vs Mailspring
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted mail servers options — 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
Mailspring
Cross-platform desktop email client
| Feature | Courier Mail Server | Mailspring |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Mail Servers | Mail Servers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | C | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 13 | ★ 17,730 |
| First released | 2000 | 2017 |
| Replaces | Microsoft Exchange | Outlook, Apple Mail |
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 Mailspring if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Mature project with 17.7k GitHub stars
- Written in JavaScript
Frequently asked questions
Is Courier Mail Server or Mailspring better?
Mailspring is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Courier Mail Server if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Courier Mail Server and Mailspring free and open-source?
Yes. Courier Mail Server is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Mailspring under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Courier Mail Server and Mailspring with Docker?
Courier Mail Server: check the project docs for container support. Mailspring: check the project docs for container support.