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mailcow-dockerized

12.7k stars·System Optimization·SHA-256 checksum verified

A fully-featured, Docker-based email server suite with modern web interface, spam filtering, and easy deployment.

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One-click email server deployment, as easy as raising a cow.

Core Features

  • Fully containerized with Docker, single command to run all services
  • Beautiful web admin panel for managing mailboxes, domains, aliases, and filters
  • Built-in Rspamd anti-spam engine + ClamAV antivirus for inbox protection
  • Auto Let's Encrypt TLS certificates, DKIM signing, SPF/DMARC support
  • SOGo groupware (calendar, contacts, webmail) included

What It Can't Do

  • •You need a domain with correct DNS records (MX, A, TXT) for email delivery. 2. Use a clean server without other mail services to avoid port conflicts. 3. Default ports 80/443 must be open. 4. For production, consider purchasing a support contract for timely security patches. 5. Do not use SQLite in production; switch to MySQL/MariaDB (migration scripts provided).

Use Cases

  • Small/medium businesses running their own email server without third-party dependency
  • Tech enthusiasts self-hosting email for full data control and privacy
  • Small email service providers needing robust anti-spam/antivirus
  • Alternative to iRedMail, Poste.io, or other traditional mail solutions

Detailed Introduction

mailcow-dockerized is an open-source email server solution that bundles everything you need to run your own mail infrastructure using Docker containers. It includes Postfix (SMTP), Dovecot (IMAP/POP3), Rspamd (antispam), ClamAV (antivirus), SOGo (groupware), and a clean admin web UI. The project focuses on simplicity and reliability: a single docker-compose command sets up a complete email system with automatic TLS certificates, DKIM signing, and webmail access. It also features a responsive user dashboard for managing mailboxes, aliases, domains, and spam filters. With over 12k GitHub stars and active community support, mailcow is one of the most popular self-hosted email platforms, suitable for small businesses, organizations, and tech enthusiasts who want full control over their email data.

Troubleshooting & FAQ (2)

Troubleshooting
Why does SOGo container fail with 'Are you trying to mount a directory onto a file (or vice-versa)?' error?

This error occurs when /opt/mailcow-dockerized/data/conf/sogo/custom-fulllogo.png is a directory instead of a valid PNG file. Docker attempts to bind-mount the host path as a file inside the container, causing the failure. To fix, delete the directory and replace it with a proper PNG file, or remove it entirely if you don't need a custom full logo. After correcting the file, run docker compose up -d again.

GitHub Issue #7139
Troubleshooting
How to fix lazy_expunge not creating an EXPUNGED folder in mailcow Dovecot?

The lazy_expunge plugin is not loaded for the imap protocol because mailcow's Dovecot config uses a static mail_plugins_imap variable instead of including the top-level $mail_plugins. To work around this, edit data/conf/dovecot/extra.conf and add a protocol imap section that explicitly includes lazy_expunge using the $mail_plugins variable:

protocol imap {
  mail_plugins = $mail_plugins lazy_expunge
}

Then restart Dovecot: docker compose restart dovecot-mailcow.

This ensures the plugin is loaded for imap and the EXPUNGED folder will be created. Monitor the official issue #6558 for a permanent config fix.

GitHub Issue #6558

Tags

mail-serverdockerself-hostedemailanti-spampostfixdovecot

Getting Started

1

Download installer

Click the button above to download the installer for your system

Visit Project Homepage
2

Install the software

Double-click the downloaded installer and follow the prompts

3

Step 1: Ensure Docker and docker-compose are installed

4

Step 2: Clone the repo: git clone https://github.com/mailcow/mailcow-dockerized && cd mailcow-dockerized

5

Step 3: Generate configuration: ./generate_config.sh

Install Guide
  1. Step 1: Ensure Docker and docker-compose are installed
  2. Step 2: Clone the repo: git clone https://github.com/mailcow/mailcow-dockerized && cd mailcow-dockerized
  3. Step 3: Generate configuration: ./generate_config.sh
File Integrity

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Open Source Transparency

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Environment Guide

Uninstall Info

Navigate to the mailcow-dockerized directory, run docker-compose down -v to stop and remove containers and volumes. Then delete the directory. Warning: This permanently deletes all email data; back up first.

No Extra Dependencies

Ready to use after download. No additional runtime required.

Project Info
LicenseGNU General Public License v3.0
Last Updated2026-06-26 02:30:14
GitHub Repository

Having issues? Check the FAQ below

2 FAQs

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