HyperKitty vs Postorius
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted mail servers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | HyperKitty | Postorius |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Mail Servers | Mail Servers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Python | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, source | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 200 | ★ 200 |
| First released | 2014 | 2012 |
| Replaces | Google Groups | Google Groups |
What are HyperKitty and Postorius?
HyperKitty
HyperKitty is the official web-based archiver and interface for Mailman 3, presenting mailing-list discussions as browsable, searchable threads. It allows reading and replying to list traffic from a browser.
- Web archive for Mailman 3
- Threaded list browsing
- Full-text search
- Reply from the browser
Postorius
Postorius is the official Django-based web frontend for administering Mailman 3 mailing lists. It lets list owners and administrators manage subscriptions, settings, and moderation through a browser.
- Mailman 3 admin UI
- Subscription management
- Moderation controls
- Django integration
HyperKitty vs Postorius: key differences
Both projects are written in Python. Postorius is the lighter option, starting around 512 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for HyperKitty. Postorius is the more established project (first released 2012), while HyperKitty arrived in 2014.
Why pick each one
Choose HyperKitty if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Python
Choose Postorius if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Python
- Lightweight — runs in 512 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is HyperKitty or Postorius better?
Neither is universally better. HyperKitty has the larger community; both share a hard setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are HyperKitty and Postorius free and open-source?
Yes. HyperKitty is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Postorius under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run HyperKitty and Postorius with Docker?
HyperKitty: yes. Postorius: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, HyperKitty or Postorius?
Postorius has the smaller minimum footprint at 512 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for HyperKitty. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.