Docker Mailserver vs Postal

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?
FeatureDocker MailserverPostal
CategoryMail ServersMail Servers
LicenseMITMIT
LanguageShellRuby
Setup difficultyMediumHard
Min. RAM2,048 MB2,048 MB
Deploymentdockerdocker, bare-metal
GitHub stars★ 18,682★ 16,724
First released20152017
ReplacesGoogle Workspace, Microsoft 365SendGrid, Mailgun, Postmark

Why pick each one

Choose Docker Mailserver if…

  • Reproducible, version-controllable config
  • Lightweight
Docker Mailserver details

Choose Postal if…

  • Great for application email
  • Strong API
Postal details

Frequently asked questions

Is Docker Mailserver or Postal better?

Docker Mailserver is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Postal if its specific feature set fits your needs better.

Are Docker Mailserver and Postal free and open-source?

Yes. Docker Mailserver is licensed under MIT and Postal under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.

Can I run Docker Mailserver and Postal with Docker?

Docker Mailserver: yes. Postal: yes.

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