Best Synology MailPlus Server Alternatives in 2026
The top Synology MailPlus Server alternatives are Microsoft Exchange Online, Apache James and Dovecot: 15 email server software our editors would look at instead of Synology MailPlus Server, in our ranking order.
Synology MailPlus Server: A full-featured mail server for organizations already running compatible Synology NAS hardware. Where it falls short: requires compatible synology NAS hardware and self-hosted administration.
Switching from Synology MailPlus Server? For most email server software buyers the best Synology MailPlus Server alternative is Microsoft Exchange Online, built for businesses wanting managed Exchange email. Apache James has a free plan.
Why People Look for a Synology MailPlus Server Alternative
- 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
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
All 15 Synology MailPlus Server 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.
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Best forBusinesses wanting managed Exchange email
- Better than Synology MailPlus Server:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 8.6
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 Synology MailPlus Server:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.6
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 Synology MailPlus Server:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.6
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 Synology MailPlus Server:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.6
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 Synology MailPlus Server:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 8.6
A flexible email and groupware suite for organizations that want deployment control.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Zimbra -
Best forWindows teams wanting a free mail server with webmail
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
A free Windows mail server with core protocols and configurable filtering.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit hMailServer -
Best forAdministrators needing a configurable SMTP transfer agent
A configurable, self-hosted MTA for administrators who manage mail delivery.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Exim
Synology MailPlus Server Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Synology MailPlus Server?
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 Synology MailPlus Server?
Yes. Apache James, Dovecot, Zimbra Collaboration, MailEnable and Mail-in-a-Box have a free plan or a free tier (11 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Synology MailPlus Server alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from Synology MailPlus Server?
Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your Synology MailPlus Server 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 Synology MailPlus Server.
How to Switch from Synology MailPlus Server
- Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your Synology MailPlus Server 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 Synology MailPlus Server.
Synology MailPlus Server vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Deployment | Mail transfer agent | Mailbox server | Integrated mail server | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Synology MailPlus Server | Yes | — | Self-hosted | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 16 | Exim | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 7.6 |
Head-to-Head
- Synology MailPlus Server vs Microsoft Exchange Online
- Synology MailPlus Server vs Apache James
- Synology MailPlus Server vs Dovecot
- Synology MailPlus Server vs IceWarp
- Synology MailPlus Server vs Zimbra Collaboration
- Synology MailPlus Server vs MailEnable
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update