Mailcow-dockerized vs Roundcubemail
Mailcow-dockerized and Roundcubemail are both email server software. Mailcow-dockerized is open source under GPL-3.0, with 14k GitHub stars. Roundcubemail is open source under GPL-3.0, with 7.3k GitHub stars.
Which to pick
- Pick Mailcow-dockerized when
- You want to host email for several domains yourself with a full admin interface.
- Pick Roundcubemail when
- You run an IMAP server and need a dependable webmail front end.
Side by side
A Docker Compose mail server suite with Postfix, Dovecot, Rspamd, SOGo webmail and groupware, and an admin UI for domains and mailboxes.
A browser-based IMAP webmail client with address book, folders, filters and plugins, widely bundled with hosting control panels.
Running your own mail means handling deliverability, IP reputation and security updates yourself.
A frequent target for attacks, so it must be kept patched.
Production-ready (both)
Self-hosted server (both)
Docker, Postfix, Dovecot, Rspamd, PHP and MariaDB
PHP and JavaScript
Open source, GPL-3.0 (strong copyleft) (both)
Use inside your business is unrestricted, but anything you distribute that includes it must be released under the same license. (both)
14k GitHub stars
7.3k GitHub stars
Established: started 10 years ago, latest release 2026-10.
Established: started 14 years ago, latest release 1.7.5.
Other comparisons
More email servers and webmail
Both sides were judged on 2026-11-03 from each project's README and GitHub data. License, age and popularity lines are worked out directly.