docker-mailserver
Production-ready fullstack but simple mail server (SMTP, IMAP, LDAP, Antispam, Antivirus, etc.) running inside a container. Only configuration files, no SQL database.
Actively maintained with regular releases.
Commit activity more than 28% of tracked projects; popularity more than 87%. How this is calculated.
Commits, last 11 months
| Stars | 19k |
|---|---|
| Latest release | v16.0.1 · 4 Sept 2026 |
| Repo updated | 25 Sept 2026 |
| Licence | MIT |
| Built with | Docker |
Is docker-mailserver actively maintained?
Over the last 11 months the project absorbed 91 commits, of which 37 arrived in the most recent quarter — roughly 12 commits a month.
Activity is accelerating: the last quarter carried 85% more commits than the one before it.
The most recent tagged release, v16.0.1, shipped within the last month — a current, installable version exists today.
Of the 18 projects we track in Communication - Email - Complete Solutions, docker-mailserver ranks #5 by health score — in the top quarter of its category.
What docker-mailserver actually does
docker-mailserver packages a comprehensive email infrastructure stack into a single container instance. It provides standard protocols such as SMTP and IMAP alongside supplementary services like spam filters and virus scanners, using flat configuration files instead of relational databases.
Best fit: Self-hosters who want to run a complete, self-contained mail stack entirely through container orchestration and file-based configuration.
Worth knowing: Email server administration carries a notoriously high operational burden, particularly around maintaining proper deliverability, reverse DNS records, and IP reputation.
Deployment notes
You will typically need to map persistent volumes for configuration and mail storage, and ensure standard mail ports are correctly exposed on your host interface.
Links
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