RainLoop vs imapsync
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?
RainLoop
Simple, modern and fast web-based email client
VS
imapsync
Synchronization and migration tool between IMAP accounts
| Feature | RainLoop | imapsync |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Mail Servers | Mail Servers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | PHP | Shell |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,120 | ★ 4,118 |
| First released | 2013 | 2003 |
| Replaces | Gmail, Outlook Web | IMAP migration services |
Why pick each one
Choose RainLoop if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (4.1k GitHub stars)
Choose imapsync if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Active community (4.1k GitHub stars)
- Written in Shell
- Tiny footprint — runs in 64 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is RainLoop or imapsync better?
RainLoop is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider imapsync if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are RainLoop and imapsync free and open-source?
Yes. RainLoop is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and imapsync under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run RainLoop and imapsync with Docker?
RainLoop: yes. imapsync: check the project docs for container support.