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Head-to-head · Email Server Software

MailEnable vs Mail-in-a-Box

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score MailEnable #7 in Email Server Software 8.5/10 Free plan · 60-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit MailEnable
Mail-in-a-Box #8 in Email Server Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Mail-in-a-Box

MailEnable leads on 0 checks, Mail-in-a-Box on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMailEnable · 8.5/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly MailEnable

MailEnable scores higher on our rubric for email server software: 8.5 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.

MailEnable is the better fit for windows teams wanting a free mail server with webmail. Mail-in-a-Box is the better fit for small teams self-hosting a complete mail setup.

  • MailEnable fits best

    Windows teams wanting a free mail server with webmail

  • Mail-in-a-Box fits best

    Small teams self-hosting a complete mail setup

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature MailEnable 8.5/10 Visit ↗ Mail-in-a-Box 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.4
Ranking #7 in Email Server Software #8 in Email Server Software
Best for Windows teams wanting a free mail server with webmail Small teams self-hosting a complete mail setup
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 60 days —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Windows Web, Linux
Support Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7 Community
Integrations 1 integrations 1 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features MailEnable 0/4 · Mail-in-a-Box 0/4
Mail transfer agent Not checked yet Not checked yet
Mailbox server Not checked yet Not checked yet
Integrated mail server Not checked yet Not checked yet
Directory integration Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Not checked yet Not checked yet
Email protocols Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free Standard edition includes SMTP, IMAP, POP3 and webmail
  • Supports unlimited domains and users in Standard Edition
  • Paid tiers add mobile webmail, anti-spam tools and clustering
  • Bundles Roundcube webmail with IMAP and SMTP access.
  • Automates TLS provisioning, mail DNS setup and system health checks.
  • Control panel manages users, aliases, DNS and backups.
Cons
  • Self-hosted deployment requires a Windows environment
  • Advanced capabilities are split across paid editions
  • Paid editions begin at $395 one-time per server
  • Requires a dedicated machine and ongoing server administration.
  • Community is the listed support channel.
  • Listed integration is limited to Amazon S3.
Our verdict

MailEnable is self-hosted email server software for Microsoft Windows, aimed at individuals, businesses and hosting providers that want to operate mail services on their own infrastructure. Its Standard Edition is free for personal and…

Read the review →

Mail-in-a-Box is free, open-source software for people and small teams who want to operate their own email service. It turns a fresh cloud machine running Ubuntu into a mail server, with Roundcube webmail, IMAP and SMTP access, and contact…

Read the review →
  1. MailEnableEmail Server Software 8.5Free plan · 60-day trial
  2. Mail-in-a-BoxEmail Server Software 8.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • MailEnable — where it wins

    • Free Standard edition includes SMTP, IMAP, POP3 and webmail
    • Supports unlimited domains and users in Standard Edition
    • Paid tiers add mobile webmail, anti-spam tools and clustering

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires a Windows environment
    • Advanced capabilities are split across paid editions
    • Paid editions begin at $395 one-time per server

  • Mail-in-a-Box — where it wins

    • Bundles Roundcube webmail with IMAP and SMTP access.
    • Automates TLS provisioning, mail DNS setup and system health checks.
    • Control panel manages users, aliases, DNS and backups.

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a dedicated machine and ongoing server administration.
    • Community is the listed support channel.
    • Listed integration is limited to Amazon S3.
  • MailEnable8.5/10 · Free plan · 60-day trial

    MailEnable combines core mail protocols and webmail with optional admin, spam and clustering features.

    Visit MailEnableFull verdict →
  • Mail-in-a-Box8.4/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source mail server bundle for small teams ready to administer their own infrastructure.

    Visit Mail-in-a-BoxFull verdict →

More comparisons

All email server software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update