docker-mailserver vs MailDev
| Tagline | Production-ready, config-driven mail server in a single container | Local SMTP server with a web UI to test app-generated email |
| Category | Email & Newsletters | Email & Newsletters |
| Replaces | Gmail / Google Workspace | SendGrid |
| GitHub stars | 19k | 6k |
| Language | Shell | JavaScript |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Self-host difficulty | 4/5 Involved | 2/5 Easy |
| Deploy options | Docker Docker Compose Manual | Docker Manual |
| Managed hosting | ||
| Last updated | 11 days ago | 21 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
MailDev
- A development/testing catcher only — not for sending real production email
- No deliverability, analytics, or campaign features
- Not intended as a long-running production mail service
- Limited storage/persistence for captured messages
Bottom line
Choose MailDev 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