DAViCal vs Kopano Groupware Core
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted groupware options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
DAViCal
Server for sharing calendars and address books via DAV
VS
Kopano Groupware Core
Open-source collaboration platform with Outlook support
| Feature | DAViCal | Kopano Groupware Core |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Groupware | Groupware |
| License | GPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | PHP | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 200 | ★ 60 |
| First released | 2007 | 2016 |
| Replaces | Google Calendar, Microsoft Exchange | Microsoft Exchange |
What are DAViCal and Kopano Groupware Core?
DAViCal
DAViCal is a mature CalDAV and CardDAV server that stores calendars and address books in a PostgreSQL database. It supports sharing and fine-grained access control between users.
- CalDAV and CardDAV server
- PostgreSQL-backed storage
- Calendar sharing and permissions
- LDAP authentication support
Kopano Groupware Core
Kopano Groupware Core is an open-source collaboration suite providing email, calendaring, and contacts with MAPI compatibility. It serves as the foundation of a self-hosted Exchange alternative.
- MAPI-based architecture
- Shared calendars and folders
- ActiveSync via Z-Push
- Web-based email client
DAViCal vs Kopano Groupware Core: key differences
DAViCal is written in PHP, while Kopano Groupware Core is built with C++. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for DAViCal versus AGPL-3.0 for Kopano Groupware Core. DAViCal is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 2,048 MB for Kopano Groupware Core. DAViCal is the more established project (first released 2007), while Kopano Groupware Core arrived in 2016. DAViCal has the considerably larger community, at 200 GitHub stars versus 60.
Why pick each one
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
Watch out for
- Dated administration UI
- PostgreSQL required
Choose Kopano Groupware Core if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in C++
Watch out for
- Complex multi-component setup
- Slower recent development
Frequently asked questions
Is DAViCal or Kopano Groupware Core better?
DAViCal is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Kopano Groupware Core if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are DAViCal and Kopano Groupware Core free and open-source?
Yes. DAViCal is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Kopano Groupware Core under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run DAViCal and Kopano Groupware Core with Docker?
DAViCal: yes. Kopano Groupware Core: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, DAViCal or Kopano Groupware Core?
DAViCal has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 2,048 MB for Kopano Groupware Core. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.