RainLoop vs Nextcloud Mail
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted mail servers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Nextcloud Mail
IMAP webmail client integrated into Nextcloud
| Feature | RainLoop | Nextcloud Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 15 · At risk | 64 · Good |
| Status | Archived | Actively maintained |
| Category | Mail Servers | Mail Servers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | PHP | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,114 | ★ 1,029 |
| First released | 2013 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Gmail, Outlook Web | Gmail |
What are RainLoop and Nextcloud Mail?
RainLoop
RainLoop is a fast, simple webmail client with a modern interface that works with any IMAP and SMTP server. It stores no email data itself, acting as a thin client.
- Modern, responsive UI
- No database required
- Multi-account support
- Works with any IMAP server
Nextcloud Mail
Nextcloud Mail is the official mail app for Nextcloud that connects to existing IMAP and SMTP accounts inside the Nextcloud interface. It integrates with contacts, calendar, and files.
- IMAP and SMTP support
- Integrated with Nextcloud
- Contacts and calendar links
- Threaded conversations
RainLoop vs Nextcloud Mail: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: RainLoop's repository is archived and no longer developed, while Nextcloud Mail is actively maintained. RainLoop is written in PHP, while Nextcloud Mail is built with JavaScript. RainLoop is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Nextcloud Mail. RainLoop has the considerably larger community, at 4,114 GitHub stars versus 1,029. RainLoop lists first-class Docker deployment; Nextcloud Mail does not.
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)
Watch out for
- Development largely stalled
- SnappyMail is the active fork
Choose Nextcloud Mail if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Active community (1k GitHub stars)
- Written in JavaScript
Frequently asked questions
Is RainLoop or Nextcloud Mail better?
Neither is universally better. RainLoop has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are RainLoop and Nextcloud Mail free and open-source?
Yes. RainLoop is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Nextcloud Mail under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run RainLoop and Nextcloud Mail with Docker?
RainLoop: yes. Nextcloud Mail: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, RainLoop or Nextcloud Mail?
RainLoop has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Nextcloud Mail. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.