Top pick · highest health
docker-mailserver
Production-ready fullstack but simple mail server (SMTP, IMAP, LDAP, Antispam, Antivirus, etc.) running inside a container. Only configuration files, no SQL database.
Docker
Communication - Email - Complete Solutions
Open source alternatives to Gmail
We track 8 open-source Gmail alternatives, of which 6 currently score 70 or above on Repoly's GitHub health scale and 4 ship a Docker image. docker-mailserver leads on health at 97/100 with 62 commits in the last 90 days; across all 8 projects you are choosing between BUSL-1.1, CC0-1.0, GPL-3.0 and 3 other licences.
updated Oct 2026 8 alternatives best health 97 ★ 70k combined 925 commits / 90d 4 with Docker
Top picks to replace Gmail
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Healthiest
Health 97/100: 62 commits in 90 days, latest release v16.0.1, Docker image available.
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Most active
338 commits in the last 90 days, more than any other option here.
Showing 8 of 8 tools
All 8 Gmail alternatives, ranked by health
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Mailcow
Mail server suite based on Dovecot, Postfix and other open source software, that provides a modern Web UI for administration.
DockerPHP -
Mailu
Simple yet full-featured mail server as a set of Docker images.
DockerPython -
Forward Email
Privacy-focused encrypted email for everyone. All-in-one alternative to Gmail + Mailchimp + Sendgrid.
DockerNodejs -
Modoboa
Mail hosting and management platform including a modern and simplified web user interface.
Python -
Maddy Mail Server
All-in-one mail server that implements SMTP (both MTA and MX) and IMAP. Replaces Postfix, Dovecot, OpenDKIM, OpenSPF, OpenDMARC with single daemon.
Go -
Mail-in-a-Box
Turns any Ubuntu server into a fully functional mail server with one command.
Shell -
iRedMail
Full-featured mail server solution based on Postfix and Dovecot.
Shell
Gmail alternatives compared
docker-mailserver and Mailcow tie at 97/100. docker-mailserver also has the largest following, at 20k stars.
The most recent release is Forward Email v2.18.12, published 2 days ago. iRedMail publishes no tagged releases, which costs up to 25 of the 100 points. iRedMail scores under 40, so check recent activity before adopting it. By stack, Python (2), Shell (2) and Go (1) are the most common. docker-mailserver, Mailu, Modoboa and 1 more are permissively licensed; Mailcow, Maddy Mail Server and iRedMail are copyleft. Forward Email is source-available rather than open source, which limits commercial reuse.
| Tool | Health | Stars | Licence | Last commit | Docker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| docker-mailserver Steady at 97 since 11 Sep | 97 | 20k | MIT | 4 days ago | Yes |
| Mailcow Steady at 97 since 11 Sep | 97 | 14k | GPL-3.0 | yesterday | Yes |
| Mailu Steady at 96 since 11 Sep | 96 | 7.6k | MIT | yesterday | Yes |
| Forward Email Steady at 93 since 11 Sep | 93 | 1.7k | BUSL-1.1 | yesterday | Yes |
| Modoboa Steady at 84 since 11 Sep | 84 | 3.5k | ISC | yesterday | No |
| Maddy Mail Server | 80 | 6.1k | GPL-3.0 | today | No |
| Mail-in-a-Box | 63 | 15k | CC0-1.0 | 8 days ago | No |
| iRedMail | 39 | 1.8k | GPL-3.0 | 2 days ago | No |
Gmail alternatives: common questions
What is the most maintained open source alternative to Gmail?
docker-mailserver scores highest at 97/100, with 62 commits in the last 90 days, 20k stars on GitHub and its latest release (v16.0.1) published 2 months ago. Modoboa has the most raw commit activity at 338 commits in 90 days.
Which Gmail alternatives use a permissive licence?
4 of 8 are permissively licensed (MIT, Apache, BSD or similar): docker-mailserver (MIT), Mailu (MIT), Modoboa (ISC), Mail-in-a-Box (CC0-1.0). 3 use copyleft licences such as GPL or AGPL, which require you to publish changes if you distribute a modified version.
Which Gmail alternatives run in Docker?
4 of 8 publish a Docker image or Compose file: docker-mailserver, Mailcow, Mailu, Forward Email. Docker support contributes 10 of the 100 available health points, because it is the clearest signal that self-hosting is a supported path rather than an afterthought.
Is docker-mailserver or Mailcow the better Gmail alternative?
On measured health docker-mailserver leads, 97 to 97. docker-mailserver has 62 commits in 90 days, 20k stars and v16.0.1 from 2 months ago; Mailcow has 59 commits in 90 days, 14k stars and 2026-10 from 9 days ago. docker-mailserver is ahead or level on every term Repoly measures.
Are the Gmail alternatives still maintained?
6 of the 8 measured options score 70 or above. Every measured option had commits in the last 90 days. iRedMail scores under 40.
What languages are the Gmail alternatives written in?
Python: Mailu and Modoboa. Shell: Mail-in-a-Box and iRedMail. Go: Maddy Mail Server. The stack matters if you plan to extend or patch the tool yourself.
