DAViCal vs Kolab Groupware
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
Kolab Groupware
Open-source groupware server with mail and calendaring
| Feature | DAViCal | Kolab Groupware |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Groupware | Groupware |
| License | GPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | PHP | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | bare-metal, docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 200 | ★ 200 |
| First released | 2007 | 2002 |
| Replaces | Google Calendar, Microsoft Exchange | Microsoft Exchange, Zimbra |
What are DAViCal and Kolab Groupware?
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
Kolab Groupware
Kolab is an open-source groupware solution providing email, shared calendars, contacts, tasks, and notes. It integrates standard components like Postfix, Cyrus IMAP, and Roundcube into a coherent collaboration platform.
- Email and calendaring
- Shared address books
- ActiveSync support
- Standards based
DAViCal vs Kolab Groupware: key differences
Both projects are written in PHP. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for DAViCal versus AGPL-3.0 for Kolab Groupware. DAViCal is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 2,048 MB for Kolab Groupware. Kolab Groupware is the more established project (first released 2002), while DAViCal arrived in 2007.
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 Kolab Groupware if…
- Built on proven components
- Strong standards support
Watch out for
- Complex to install
- Steep operational curve
Frequently asked questions
Is DAViCal or Kolab Groupware better?
DAViCal is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Kolab Groupware if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are DAViCal and Kolab Groupware free and open-source?
Yes. DAViCal is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Kolab Groupware under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run DAViCal and Kolab Groupware with Docker?
DAViCal: yes. Kolab Groupware: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, DAViCal or Kolab Groupware?
DAViCal has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 2,048 MB for Kolab Groupware. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.