iRedMail vs Kolab Groupware
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted apps from related categories — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
iRedMail
Free, full-featured mail server solution
VS
Kolab Groupware
Open-source groupware server with mail and calendaring
| Feature | iRedMail | Kolab Groupware |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Mail Servers | Groupware |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Shell | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 4,096 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal | bare-metal, docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,835 | ★ 200 |
| First released | 2007 | 2002 |
| Replaces | Microsoft Exchange, Google Workspace | Microsoft Exchange, Zimbra |
Why pick each one
Choose Kolab Groupware if…
- Built on proven components
- Strong standards support
Frequently asked questions
Is iRedMail or Kolab Groupware better?
iRedMail 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 iRedMail and Kolab Groupware free and open-source?
Yes. iRedMail is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Kolab Groupware under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run iRedMail and Kolab Groupware with Docker?
iRedMail: check the project docs for container support. Kolab Groupware: yes.