Best OpenSMTPD Alternatives in 2026
The top OpenSMTPD alternatives are Microsoft Exchange Online, Apache James and Dovecot: 15 email server software our editors would look at instead of OpenSMTPD, in our ranking order.
OpenSMTPD: A free, self-hosted SMTP relay and router for administrators—not a mailbox server. Where it falls short: does not provide mailbox storage or webmail..
Switching from OpenSMTPD? For most email server software buyers the best OpenSMTPD alternative is Microsoft Exchange Online, built for businesses wanting managed Exchange email. Apache James has a free plan.
Why People Look for an OpenSMTPD Alternative
- Does not provide mailbox storage or webmail
- Supported protocols are limited to SMTP and LMTP
- Requires administrators to operate and configure self-hosted mail infrastructure
- No mailbox server — 2 of the alternatives below have it
- No integrated mail server — 2 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallMicrosoft Exchange Online9.3
Businesses wanting managed Exchange email
Visit Microsoft Exchange Online - Best free optionApache James9.1
Has a free plan
Visit Apache James - Best for mailbox serverSynology MailPlus Server8.6
Mailbox server (OpenSMTPD: no)
Visit Synology MailPlus Server
All 15 OpenSMTPD Alternatives, Ranked
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.
-
Best forBusinesses wanting managed Exchange email
- Better than OpenSMTPD:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 7.4
Managed Exchange email with Outlook access, filtering, archiving, and migration tools.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Microsoft -
Best forTeams building a flexible self-hosted mail platform
- Better than OpenSMTPD:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.4
A flexible self-hosted mail platform with broad protocol support and configurable storage.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Apache James -
Best forOperators needing a mature IMAP/POP mailbox server
- Better than OpenSMTPD:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 7.4
A focused, self-hosted mailbox server with filtering, search, and migration tools.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Dovecot -
Best forTeams wanting hosted email plus collaboration tools
- Better than OpenSMTPD:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.4
Hosted business email with calendars, mobile sync, and team collaboration features.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit IceWarp -
Best forOrganizations seeking self-hosted email and groupware
- Better than OpenSMTPD:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.4
A flexible email and groupware suite for organizations that want deployment control.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Zimbra -
Best forSynology NAS users hosting organizational email
- Better than OpenSMTPD:
- Mailbox server
- Integrated mail server
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.4
A full-featured mail server for organizations already running compatible Synology NAS hardware.
- Directory integration
- Mailbox server
- Integrated mail server
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Synology -
Best forWindows teams wanting a free mail server with webmail
- Better than OpenSMTPD:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.4
MailEnable combines core mail protocols and webmail with optional admin, spam and clustering features.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit MailEnable -
Best forSmall teams self-hosting a complete mail setup
- Better than OpenSMTPD:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.4
A free, open-source mail server bundle for small teams ready to administer their own infrastructure.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Mail-in-a-Box -
Best forOrganizations needing self-hosted mail with native mobile
- Better than OpenSMTPD:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.4
A self-hosted mail server with native mobile access and collaboration tools.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Axigen -
Best forWindows organizations needing an integrated mail server
- Better than OpenSMTPD:
- Mailbox server
- Integrated mail server
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.4
An integrated Windows mail server with webmail, directory support, and email controls.
- Directory integration
- Mailbox server
- Integrated mail server
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit MDaemon -
Best forTeams able to operate their own mail infrastructure
- Better than OpenSMTPD:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.4
A self-hosted mail suite with integrated webmail, calendars, spam filtering, and admin tools.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit mailcow -
Best forTeams assembling a self-hosted mail stack with support
- Better than OpenSMTPD:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.4
A flexible mail stack for teams that want to operate email on their own servers.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit iRedMail -
Best forOperators focused on scalable IMAP and mailbox services
- Better than OpenSMTPD:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.4
A self-hosted mailbox server with broad access protocols and clustering options.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Project Cyrus -
Best forTeams seeking a free self-hosted mail server
- Better than OpenSMTPD:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.4
A free, all-in-one mail server for teams prepared to operate their own infrastructure.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Mailu -
Best forSmall Windows teams running a free mail server
- Better than OpenSMTPD:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 7.4
A free Windows mail server with core protocols and configurable filtering.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit hMailServer
OpenSMTPD Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to OpenSMTPD?
Microsoft Exchange Online: #1 in our Email Server Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. Managed Exchange email with Outlook access, filtering, archiving, and migration tools.
Is there a free alternative to OpenSMTPD?
Yes. Apache James, Dovecot, Zimbra Collaboration, Synology MailPlus Server and MailEnable have a free plan or a free tier (11 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for OpenSMTPD alternatives?
Does not provide mailbox storage or webmail; Supported protocols are limited to SMTP and LMTP; Requires administrators to operate and configure self-hosted mail infrastructure.
How do I switch from OpenSMTPD?
Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your OpenSMTPD server. Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key. Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers. Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel OpenSMTPD.
How to Switch from OpenSMTPD
- Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your OpenSMTPD server.
- Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key.
- Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers.
- Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel OpenSMTPD.
OpenSMTPD vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Deployment | Mail transfer agent | Mailbox server | Integrated mail server | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | OpenSMTPD | Yes | None | Self-hosted | Yes | No | No | 7.4 |
| 1 | Microsoft Exchange Online | No | — | — | — | — | — | 9.3 |
| 2 | Apache James | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 9.1 |
| 3 | Dovecot | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 9.0 |
| 4 | IceWarp | No | — | — | — | — | — | 8.8 |
| 5 | Zimbra Collaboration | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 8.7 |
| 6 | Synology MailPlus Server | Yes | — | Self-hosted | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 7 | MailEnable | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 8.5 |
| 8 | Mail-in-a-Box | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 8.4 |
| 9 | Axigen | No | — | — | — | — | — | 8.3 |
| 10 | MDaemon Email Server | No | — | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.2 |
| 11 | mailcow | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 8.1 |
| 12 | iRedMail | Yes | $10/user/yr | — | — | — | — | 8.0 |
| 13 | Cyrus IMAP | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 7.9 |
| 14 | Mailu | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 7.8 |
| 15 | hMailServer | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 7.7 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update