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Open-source alternatives to Gmail

Compare community-driven replacements for Gmail in mail servers & relays workflows. We curate active, self-hostable options with transparent licensing so you can evaluate the right fit quickly.

Gmail logo

Gmail

Gmail provides free and business email with filters, labels, threading, powerful search, and integration with Google Workspace.Read more
Mail Servers & Relays
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Key stats

  • 7Alternatives
  • 4Support self-hosting

    Run on infrastructure you control

  • 6Active development

    Recent commits in the last 6 months

  • 2Permissive licenses

    MIT, Apache, and similar licenses

Counts reflect projects currently indexed as alternatives to Gmail.

All open-source alternatives

Zero logo

Zero

Self-hosted AI-enhanced email client with unified inbox

Self-host friendlyPermissive licensePrivacy-firstTypeScript

Why teams choose it

  • Open‑source with full transparency
  • AI‑driven email assistants and LLM integration
  • Unified inbox across Gmail, Outlook and other providers

Watch for

Requires technical knowledge to set up and maintain

Migration highlight

Consolidate corporate mailboxes

All employee Gmail and Outlook accounts appear in a single searchable inbox, reducing context switching.

BillionMail logo

BillionMail

Self-hosted email marketing and mail server platform

Self-host friendlyActive developmentPrivacy-firstGo

Why teams choose it

  • 8-minute installation with automated DNS verification and SSL setup
  • Integrated mail server (Postfix, Dovecot, Rspamd) with RoundCube webmail
  • Unlimited email sending with advanced analytics and campaign tracking

Watch for

Requires server infrastructure and technical expertise to maintain

Migration highlight

SaaS Transactional Email

Application sends password resets, notifications, and receipts through owned infrastructure without per-email fees

Mail-in-a-Box logo

Mail-in-a-Box

One-click, self-hosted email server that just works

Self-host friendlyActive developmentPermissive licensePython

Why teams choose it

  • One‑click installation on fresh Ubuntu 22.04
  • Automatic TLS via Let’s Encrypt for all services
  • Integrated DNS with SPF, DKIM, DMARC, DNSSEC

Watch for

Limited customization – no power‑user options

Migration highlight

Personal email domain

Run your own address (you@yourdomain.com) with spam filtering and encrypted connections, eliminating reliance on third‑party providers.

Tuta logo

Tuta

Secure email with seamless end-to-end encryption across devices

Active developmentPrivacy-firstAI-powered workflowsTypeScript

Why teams choose it

  • End-to-end encryption for email, contacts, and calendar
  • Cross‑platform clients: web, desktop, and iOS
  • Open‑source code released under GPL‑3.0

Watch for

Requires internet connectivity for synchronization

Migration highlight

Secure personal correspondence

All personal emails are encrypted end‑to‑end, protecting them from interception.

Mailu logo

Mailu

Fully featured Docker‑based mail server that's simple to deploy

Active developmentPrivacy-firstFast to deployPython

Why teams choose it

  • Standard email protocols with auto‑configuration (IMAP, IMAP+, SMTP, Submission)
  • Built‑in anti‑spam and security (DKIM, DMARC, TLS, DANE, LetsEncrypt, virus scanning)
  • Webmail and admin UI with multi‑domain and quota management

Watch for

Requires familiarity with Docker and container orchestration

Migration highlight

Deploy a company mail system in minutes

Launch IMAP/SMTP services with webmail and admin UI using a single docker‑compose file.

Maddy logo

Maddy

Composable all-in-one mail server replacing multiple daemons

Active developmentFast to deployAI-powered workflowsGo

Why teams choose it

  • Single daemon handling SMTP, MX, and IMAP
  • Built‑in DKIM, SPF, DMARC, DANE, and MTA‑STS support
  • Unified declarative configuration

Watch for

IMAP storage is still in beta

Migration highlight

Unified mail server for a startup

Simplified setup and reduced operational cost

Plunk logo

Plunk

Self-hosted email platform powered by AWS SES

Self-host friendlyActive developmentPrivacy-firstTypeScript

Why teams choose it

  • Transactional email API integrated with AWS SES
  • Automation workflows triggered by user actions
  • Broadcast capability for newsletters and product updates

Watch for

Tied to AWS SES pricing and limits

Migration highlight

Order confirmation emails

Send reliable transactional messages instantly after purchase, ensuring customers receive receipts.

Choosing a mail servers & relays alternative

Teams replacing Gmail in mail servers & relays workflows typically weigh self-hosting needs, integration coverage, and licensing obligations.

  • 4 projects let you self-host and keep customer data on infrastructure you control.
  • 6 options are actively maintained with recent commits.

Tip: shortlist one hosted and one self-hosted option so stakeholders can compare trade-offs before migrating away from Gmail.