docker-mailserver vs Keila
| Tagline | Production-ready, config-driven mail server in a single container | Open-source newsletter tool, an easy Mailchimp alternative in Elixir |
| Category | Email & Newsletters | Email & Newsletters |
| Replaces | Gmail / Google Workspace | Mailchimp, ConvertKit (Kit) |
| GitHub stars | 19k | 2.2k |
| Language | Shell | Elixir |
| License | MIT | AGPL-3.0 |
| Self-host difficulty | 4/5 Involved | 3/5 Moderate |
| Deploy options | Docker Docker Compose Manual | One-Click Docker Docker Compose Manual |
| Managed hosting | ||
| Last updated | 8 days ago | 9 days ago |
| View repo | View repo |
Where each falls short
The honest trade-offs — what you give up with each, versus the proprietary tools they replace.
docker-mailserver
- No admin web UI — all config is via files and the CLI
- No bundled webmail or groupware (calendar/contacts)
- Deliverability, DNS, and TLS setup are entirely your responsibility
- Not a newsletter/marketing tool — mailboxes only
Keila
- Smaller feature set than Mailchimp — limited automation/journeys
- Fewer template and design tools out of the box
- Smaller community and ecosystem of integrations
- No built-in deliverability/IP warmup; relies on external senders
Bottom line
Choose Keila if you want the lower-effort setup; choose docker-mailserver for the larger community and ecosystem. docker-mailserver has seen more recent development. Open each guide below for deploy steps and the full feature gap.
docker-mailserver
Production-ready, config-driven mail server in a single container