What’s your goal? Are you looking for a mail server for your website or blog? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will take a look at the Best Mail Server for Linux.
With the clear importance of mail servers, it is difficult to imagine launching a successful business without taking advantage of the best mail servers. To manage your daily backlog of emails, you need the best Linux email server around. This article will help you select the Best Mail Server for Linux.
Best Mail Server for Linux
What is a LinuxMail Server?
LinuxMail Servers are a popular option for those looking for an easy-to-use email server. They offer the ability to handle large volumes of messages, as well as fast response times. They can be used in a variety of environments, from small businesses to large organizations.
How do you choose the best LinuxMail Server for your needs
There are a number of factors that you should consider when choosing a LinuxMail Server: your budget, your space requirements, your central administration needs, and your desired features and abilities. You can also find helpful advice on the Internet or in specific Linux Mail Server forums.
Subsection 1.3 What are some tips for choosing the best LinuxMailServer for you.
Some tips to follow when choosing a LinuxMail Server include:
– Stay organized and track all of your messages with an online message manager like Thunderbird or GIMP
– Use multiple servers if needed to handle high volumes or support multiple user accounts
– Make sure all software is up to date and recent versions are available before beginning installation
– Be aware of security risks associated with using aLinuxMailServer and take steps to protect your data
Section 2. How do you Choose the Best LinuxMail Server for You?
What are the main benefits of using a LinuxMail Server
There are a number of factors that you should consider when choosing a LinuxMail Server: your budget, your space requirements, your central administration needs, and your desired features and abilities. To get started, you can browse different servers and choose one that best meets your needs. Some tips to follow when choosing a LinuxMailServer include:
– Assess the size of your email population before making a purchase
– Check the support options for the server in question and read reviews to find out if there is any potential issue with installation or configuration
– Make sure to test the software before beginning installation in order to verify its functionality
– Be aware of potential security risks associated with using aLinuxMailServer and take steps to protect your data
Best Linux Mail Servers
1. Postfix
Postfix that was founded by a Google software engineer, Wietse Venema runs not only Linux also AIX, BSD, HP-UX, IRIX, MacOS X, Solaris, Tru64 UNIX, and other UNIX systems. And it supports MySQL, Memcache, SQLite, PostgreSQL, LDAP, CDB, and Berkeley Database as data storage. Postfix can be defined as an effective open-source Linux mail server with its features as junk mail control, database support, and convenient log management.
It comes with a content filter, access control mechanism, virtual domain support, configurable status notifications. It can deliver over 300 emails per second from a single Postfix instance. By providing defense mechanisms against malware and spambots, it offers a secure service.
- Download Postfix Mail Server: postfix.org/download.html
- Postfix Documentation: postfix.org/documentation.html
2. Sendmail
One of the best Linux mail servers for Linux that can also be used in Windows NT is Sendmail. As it is mentioned in Mailserver.com, it is the No.1 MTA (Mail Transfer Agent) in use today. Sendmail is a general-purpose email routing facility with its first version released in 1983.
An MTA well known for being free (there is also a proprietary version), open-source, and based on UNIX, Sendmail provides a versatile set of delivery methods for sending emails.
When a Sendmail server receives an e-mail, it attempts to immediately deliver that to the intended recipient. If the recipient is not present, it queues messages to deliver them later. In fact, it doesn’t provide any mailbox facility. So, other software such as Internet Message Access Protocol and POP3 are needed. Some of the best features of this Linux mail server software are:
- Reliability in message delivery
- Needs very little network bandwidth
- Customized email forwarding capabilities
- Using configuration files to control mail configuration
3. Exim
Exim was developed as a message transfer agent at the University of Cambridge for use on Unix systems connected to the Internet. It is possible to install Exim instead of Sendmail, despite its configuration being a little bit different. It gets frequent updates for bug fixing. It has excellent customization and configuration capabilities. On the security side, it comes with three log mechanisms named as the main log, panic log, reject log. In addition to these features, it supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Oracle DB, and Redis databases, and even more.
- Download Exim Mail Server: exim.org/mirrors.html
- Exim Documentation: exim.org/docs.html
4. Citadel
Without any doubt, this is one of the best mail servers for Linux and UNIX. Despite the initial release 33 years ago, it passes the test of time because of its superior performance and flexible features. This mail server is a general-purpose groupware and collaboration suite that is designed to run on open-source operating systems such as Linux, and BSD UNIX distributions (but supports most systems). It uses the Berkeley Database for all of its data storage.
It is an open-source and free software that works under GNU General Public License (GPLv2 and GPLv3). This Linux mail server is mostly known for its simple control panel and efficient runtime. Moreover, it has a lot of good features, some of which are listed below:
- Shared calendar
- Instant messaging
- A convenient address book
- Scheduler
- File storage
- Jabber alongside SSL/TLS encryption
- OpenSSL encryption
- Built-in implementations of Internet Protocols such as POP3, IMAP, SMTP, and XMPP
- Web-based user interface based on Ajax style functionality for application-like interactions
- OpenDAP and Microsoft Active Directory support
5. SquirrelMail
SquirrelMail that is a standards-based webmail package written in PHP includes built-in pure PHP support for the IMAP and SMTP protocols. Moreover, it comes with all pages rendered in pure HTML 4.0 for maximum compatibility across browsers. SquirrelMail has some benefits like easy configuration and installation, strong MIME support, address books, and folder manipulation. As SquirrelMail is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), it is free to use.
- Download SquirrelMail Mail Server: squirrelmail.org/download.php
- SquirrelMail Documentation: squirrelmail.org/documentation/
6. Axigen
Axigen is one of the best mail servers for Linux, Microsoft Windows, and Docker that supports POP3, SMTP, IMAP, and webmail. It comes with groupware and collaboration functionalities (like calendars, notes, tasks, and outlook connectors) that can be completely free. The development of this mail server began in 2003 based on innovative proprietary technology. It supports all demanding users from small businesses to large service providers. Some of the good features of this mail server are:
- Integrated mailing list server
- Fully Automatic Migration Tool (without the need of the legacy accounts passwords)
- Antivirus and Antispam integration options
- Malware and Spam Protection Mechanism
- Providing a convenient address book
- Unmatched manageability for administrators
- Various mobile capabilities including mobile-friendly webmail and Exchange Active Sync support
- Can be hosted in data centers, on bare-metal, private or public cloud servers
- Multiple, customizable advertising and branding options
- Integrated Web-Admin and Web-Mail client
- 60-day, Full-Featured Trial
- Highly configurable platform
7. Zimbra Email Server
Open-source software Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS) is an efficient mail server for Linux users. It transfers messages efficiently and takes less time to migrate with its powerful migration tools. It also comes with additional features such as group calendars, and document sharing with flexible tooltips, drag-and-drop items, and convenient UI menus. It has also a mobile web client application and is ready for using the private and public cloud as well as a closed-source enterprise edition. For strengthening security, Zimbra provides a real-time backup feature.
- Download Zimbra Email Server: zimbra.com/downloads/
- Zimbra Documentation: zimbra.com/documentation/
8. Modoboa
Modoboa is one of the best open-source SQL-based Linux mail servers, which accesses a set of useful features from one user interface that does not require installing each capability individually. It offers a secure and private mailing method using the TLS protocol Let’s Encrypt which is a nonprofit Certificate Authority. It also makes you free of email providers’ dependency.
Modoboa is widely deployed with SPF and DKIM protocols using DMARC. These protocols are free email authentication technologies for email delivery and email security that, through a reporting function, help senders and receivers boost and monitor the protection of the domain against fraudulent email. The nice thing is that it lets you configure a fully-functional mail server through the most important features you can benefit from which include:
- Webmail
- Calendars management
- Address books management
- Creating visualized filtering rules to organize emails
- auto-responder
- Supporting numerous creation of domains, mailboxes, and aliases
- Administrator tools that help you monitor the traffic
9. Horde
Horde Groupware Webmail Edition enables users to read, send and organize email messages and manage and share calendars, contacts, tasks, notes, files, and bookmarks with the standards-compliant components from the Horde Project. Horde Groupware Webmail Edition has many features including IMAP and POP3 webmail client, 3-pane and 3-column-layouts, message filtering, HTML message composition with WYSIWIG editor, shared IMAP folders, and more.
Download Horde Mail Server: horde.org/download/webmail
Horde Documentation: horde.org/apps/webmail/docs/INSTALL
10. Qmail
Qmail is among the best Linux mail servers. It is one of the most widely-used mail servers. It is an excellent replacement for Sendmail. It offers different kinds of benefits for users and security is the biggest one; the SMTP protocol verifies this claim by providing different credentials through the queue manager or the SMTP sender. Also, the simple and easy configuration makes it popular as one of the best Linux mail servers. Some of its notable features are listed below:
- QMT support
- Supporting different platforms such as Linux, Solaris, Mac OSX, and BSD
- Offering EZMLM mailing list manager, VERPs, and automatic host configuration
- Having a modular-based system (It allows you to replace any single part of the system with an alternative module)
- Managing custom mailing lists and supporting the automatic prevention of mailing loops
- User-controlled wildcard mailboxes
Best Mail Server Software
1. MailEnable
Another one of our best Windows mail servers is called MailEnable, which is a mail server software that comes both in free and paid versions. The paid version comes with a great range of features, however, the free version of MailEnable is just enough for the average user. It supports POP3, free SMTP server Windows, and IMAP-based email services.
- In addition to managing your mail, MailEnable free offers a lot of other features:
- AJAX webmail client
- POP and SMTP mail services supporting unlimited users and domains.
- Manage all your contacts in your web browser
- Webmail Calendar
- Appointment Scheduling & Invitations
- Free & Busy Scheduling
- Webmail Tasks
- Control Panel Integration
- Out-of-Office Start/End Times for Autoresponder
- SMTP Authentication, Integrated Windows Authentication, Relay control.
- Anti-Spam- PTR record checking, DNS blacklisting, auto-banning of IP addresses, and more.
- Management Console
- Inline YouTube Player and MP3 Media Player
2. Modoboa
Modoboa is an open-source email server that emphasizes your privacy. It works as a perfect alternative to other email service options as it only takes around 10 minutes to create a mail server for you.
Here, you get some of the best open-source email server installation, configuration, and security tools. This platform offers all the basic email gestures, including webmail, contact list management, calendar management, email organization using filters, auto-responder for emails, and an unlimited number of mailboxes, alias, and domains.
Moreover, it offers various administrator tools like the data migration tool and statistics. You need not go through the tedious process of individually installing each component as its installer does 95% of the work.
The biggest advantage of using Modoboa is data security and privacy. The email service provider uses the TLS protocol to encrypt all data transmissions between the email server and the outside world. SPF, DKIM, and DMARC protocols are some other approaches it uses to protect your online reputation.
3. hMail Server
hMail is an open-source, free mail server for Windows OS from Microsoft, which is probably the best email server for Windows 10. It supports IMAP/POP3 and SMTP. With hMail Server, you are free to use any webmail that supports IMAP and SMTP. When we are talking about the best Windows mail servers, one of the most repeated names is hMail server.
hMail comes with built-in anti-spam functionality, that is SPF (short for Sender Policy Framework) and SURBL. Moreover, you can implement other third-party anti-spam systems as well. hMail also provides SSL encryption, mail backup, virtual domains, MX backup, and more.
4. Mailu
If you are looking for a feature-rich yet simple-to-use self-hosted email server, go for Mailu. This free software aims to provide users with a server that can be easily set up and maintained. It does not contain unnecessary features found in many groupware.
The platform lets you use standard email servers and protocols like IMAP, IMAP+, SMTP, and Submission. Besides web access, it comes with features, such as multiple webmail, domain aliases, custom routing, and administrative interfaces.
Users can easily use aliases, auto-forward, autoreply, and fetched accounts to save time and effort. Global admins, per-domain delegation, announcements, and quotas are some of its administrative attributes that will let you seamlessly manage this email server.
Moreover, the platform uses TLS, Letsencrypt! certificate, outgoing DKIM, greylisting, antivirus scanner, anti-spam, auto-learn, DMARC, and SPF to ensure maximum security.
5. Zimbra
Zimbra is another great free and open-source Windows mail server that you can download on 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10 machines. In addition, to support common mail protocols such as POP3, IMAP, and SMTP, it offers POP over TLS, SMTP over TLS, IMAP IDLE, and more.
Security-wise, Zimbra offers SSL encryption as well as SPF anti-spam system. Apart from synchronizing your mail, it can synchronize your calendar and contacts as well. Moreover, it aggregates Gmail, Yahoo!, Hotmail (Outlook), and other POP/IMAP mail accounts.
A great feature of Zimbra is that it is a dedicated migration tool which helps users migrate from another mail server software to Zimbra very easily. It is available for desktop Windows 10 and other operating systems.
Get started with LinuxMail Server.
Before you can start using your LinuxMail server, you first need to set it up. In this section, we’ll help you set up your LinuxMail server.
Set Up Your LinuxMail Server
To get started with your LinuxMail server, you first need to set it up. In this section, we will help you set up your LinuxMail server.
Configure Your LinuxMail Server
Once you have your LinuxMail server set up,configure it to work as expected by adding the following configuration parameters:
– name – The name of yourLinux Mail Server
– ip_address – The IP address of the machine on which you will be running yourLinux Mail Server
– port – The port that yourLinux Mail Server is listening on
– location – A location where you will store and use your email content (for example, /var/mail/www/linuxmail/ )
– auth – Allow your LinuxMail server to be used as an authentication server (required)
Use LinuxMail Server to Send and Accept Email
Once you have configured your LinuxMail server, you can start send and accept email using it. To do this, first add a new address for email senders and receivers in your user account on yourLinux Mail Server. Add the following lines to your /etc/mail/linuxmail/configuration file:
– from – The name of the sender
– to – The name of the receiver
– charset – The character set that will be used for email messages (optional)
– smtp_host – The SMTP hostname or IP address where the SMTP service is running (optional)
– smtp_port – The port that the SMTP service is running on (optional)
Next, add the following lines to your /etc/mail/linuxmail/smtp configuration file:
– port – The port number that will be used for outgoing messages (default 587)
– user – Username for this machine when sending messages through the SMTP service (default “root”)
Use LinuxMail Server to Send and Accept Email
How to use LinuxMail Server to send and accept email.
Configure your LinuxMail Server to send and accept email using one of the following methods:
-SMTP: Configure your LinuxMail Server to use SMTP to send and receive email.
-HTTP: Configure your LinuxMail Server to use HTTP for transmission of email.
-FTPS: Use FTPS to send and receive email over a FTP connection.
Set Up Your Delivery Options
When you configure your LinuxMail Server to send and accept email, you also have the option of setting up delivery options. You can deliver emails through one of the following delivery methods:
-HTTP: Use HTTP for transmission of email.
-FTPS: Use FTPS to send and receive email over a FTP connection.
Conclusion
LinuxMail Server is a great tool for sending and accepting email. By setting up your delivery methods, configuring your delivery options, and Send Email with LinuxMail Server, you can send and accept email easily.