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Head-to-head · Email Server Software

Zimbra Collaboration vs Synology MailPlus Server

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Zimbra Collaboration #5 in Email Server Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Zimbra
Synology MailPlus Server #6 in Email Server Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Synology

Zimbra Collaboration leads on 0 checks, Synology MailPlus Server on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreZimbra Collaboration · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresSynology MailPlus Server · 4 of 4

Zimbra Collaboration scores higher on our rubric for email server software: 8.7 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

Zimbra Collaboration is the better fit for organizations seeking self-hosted email and groupware. Synology MailPlus Server is the better fit for synology NAS users hosting organizational email.

  • Zimbra Collaboration fits best

    Organizations seeking self-hosted email and groupware

  • Synology MailPlus Server fits best

    Synology NAS users hosting organizational email

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 Zimbra Collaboration 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Synology MailPlus Server 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.6
Ranking #5 in Email Server Software #6 in Email Server Software
Best for Organizations seeking self-hosted email and groupware Synology NAS users hosting organizational email
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Compliance SSO/SAML, 2FA GDPR
Integrations 5 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Zimbra Collaboration 0/4 · Synology MailPlus Server 4/4
Mail transfer agent Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Mailbox server Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Integrated mail server Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Directory integration Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Deployment Not checked yet Self-hosted
Email protocols Not checked yet SMTP, IMAP, POP3
Our review
Pros
  • Combines email, calendars, contacts, tasks, and file sharing
  • Supports IMAP, POP, SMTP, CalDAV, and CardDAV
  • Includes migration tools and backup and restore capabilities
  • Supports SMTP, IMAP, and POP3 for mail-client access
  • Migration from Microsoft Exchange and Google Workspace
  • Directory integration, policy controls, filtering, and clustering
Cons
  • Commercial licensing uses quote-based pricing
  • Hosted storage and attachment limits depend on the provider
  • Deployment and administration span several environments
  • Requires compatible Synology NAS hardware and self-hosted administration
  • Only five email-account licenses are included with compatible NAS hardware
  • License packs add cost, and pricing is not published on the official page
Our verdict

Zimbra Collaboration brings email and groupware together for businesses, educational institutions, service providers, and other organizations that want control over deployment and data. It covers email, contacts, calendars, tasks, and file…

Read the review →

Synology MailPlus Server turns compatible Synology NAS hardware into a self-hosted organizational email system. It suits small, mid-market, and enterprise teams that want to host custom or multiple domains and administer mail on their own…

Read the review →
  1. Zimbra CollaborationEmail Server Software 8.7Free plan
  2. Synology MailPlus ServerEmail Server Software 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Zimbra Collaboration — where it wins

    • Combines email, calendars, contacts, tasks, and file sharing
    • Supports IMAP, POP, SMTP, CalDAV, and CardDAV
    • Includes migration tools and backup and restore capabilities

    Where it doesn't

    • Commercial licensing uses quote-based pricing
    • Hosted storage and attachment limits depend on the provider
    • Deployment and administration span several environments

  • Synology MailPlus Server — where it wins

    • Supports SMTP, IMAP, and POP3 for mail-client access
    • Migration from Microsoft Exchange and Google Workspace
    • Directory integration, policy controls, filtering, and clustering

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires compatible Synology NAS hardware and self-hosted administration
    • Only five email-account licenses are included with compatible NAS hardware
    • License packs add cost, and pricing is not published on the official page
  • Zimbra Collaboration8.7/10 · Free plan

    A flexible email and groupware suite for organizations that want deployment control.

    Visit ZimbraFull verdict →
  • Synology MailPlus Server8.6/10 · Free plan

    A full-featured mail server for organizations already running compatible Synology NAS hardware.

    Visit SynologyFull 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