Docker Mailserver vs Mailman
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?
Docker Mailserver
Production-ready, config-driven mail server in a container
VS
Mailman
Free software for managing electronic mailing lists
| Feature | Docker Mailserver | Mailman |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Mail Servers | Mail Servers |
| License | MIT | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Shell | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 18,682 | ★ 400 |
| First released | 2015 | 1998 |
| Replaces | Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 | Google Groups |
Why pick each one
Choose Docker Mailserver if…
- Reproducible, version-controllable config
- Lightweight
Frequently asked questions
Is Docker Mailserver or Mailman better?
Docker Mailserver is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Mailman if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Docker Mailserver and Mailman free and open-source?
Yes. Docker Mailserver is licensed under MIT and Mailman under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Docker Mailserver and Mailman with Docker?
Docker Mailserver: yes. Mailman: yes.