Forward Email vs Mailspring
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?
Forward Email
Privacy-focused encrypted email for everyone
VS
Mailspring
Cross-platform desktop email client
| Feature | Forward Email | Mailspring |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Mail Servers | Mail Servers |
| License | BUSL-1.1 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,655 | ★ 17,730 |
| First released | 2026 | 2017 |
| Replaces | — | Outlook, Apple Mail |
Why pick each one
Choose Forward Email if…
- Released under the BUSL-1.1 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (1.7k GitHub stars)
- Written in JavaScript
Choose Mailspring if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Mature project with 17.7k GitHub stars
- Written in JavaScript
Frequently asked questions
Is Forward Email or Mailspring better?
Mailspring is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Forward Email if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Forward Email and Mailspring free and open-source?
Yes. Forward Email is licensed under BUSL-1.1 and Mailspring under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Forward Email and Mailspring with Docker?
Forward Email: yes. Mailspring: check the project docs for container support.