RainLoop vs WildDuck
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
WildDuck
Scalable IMAP and POP3 mail server with REST API
| Feature | RainLoop | WildDuck |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Mail Servers | Mail Servers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | EUPL-1.2 |
| Language | PHP | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,120 | ★ 2,107 |
| First released | 2013 | 2017 |
| Replaces | Gmail, Outlook Web | Microsoft Exchange, Gmail |
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)
Frequently asked questions
Is RainLoop or WildDuck better?
RainLoop is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider WildDuck if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are RainLoop and WildDuck free and open-source?
Yes. RainLoop is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and WildDuck under EUPL-1.2. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run RainLoop and WildDuck with Docker?
RainLoop: yes. WildDuck: yes.