Mail-in-a-Box

Spec sheet

Purpose

Mail-in-a-Box turns a fresh cloud computer into a mail server that lets users run their own email service.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

API

Control panel functionality can also be accessed through a RESTful HTTP API.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Security

The control panel supports TOTP-based two-factor authentication, and the security guide says credentials are sent through SSH/TLS rather than in the clear.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Support

The project directs users to its discussion forum, GitHub issues, and Slack chat for help.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Founded

2013Read 28 Sep 2026 · mailinabox.email

Administration and API

A web control panel manages accounts, aliases, DNS records, and backups, and its functionality is also available through a RESTful HTTP API.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Backups

It supports automated backups to Amazon S3 and other services.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Contacts and calendar

It includes contacts and calendar synchronization.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Cost estimate

The setup guide estimates about $12 per month for the service, primarily for a virtual machine connected to the internet, and says domain registration is about $17 per year depending on the TLD.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Cost to operate

The setup guide estimates running a box will cost about $12 per month, mostly for a cloud machine connected to the internet.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Deliverability

The project warns that other mail services may block or spam-filter mail sent from a self-run Mail-in-a-Box server.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

DNS and TLS

It can configure mail-related DNS records including SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and MTA-STS, and automatically provisions TLS certificates from Let’s Encrypt.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Email tools

It provides webmail and an IMAP/SMTP server for mobile devices and desktop mail software.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Hosting

A box can host mail for multiple users and domains, and can also host a simple static website.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Hosting requirements

It requires a fresh, dedicated Ubuntu 22.04 x64 machine; containers and modified images are not supported.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

License and intended users

Mail-in-a-Box is dedicated to the public domain under CC0 and describes its goal as making it easy to deploy a mail server for people who want to control their own email.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Limit

The project describes itself as a simple turn-key solution with basically no configuration options, and says the machine’s configuration files cannot be tweaked after installation.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Mail and calendars

It includes webmail, IMAP/SMTP, contacts, and calendar synchronization.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Notable limitation

The project aims for a turn-key setup with basically no configuration options, and configuration files cannot be tweaked after installation.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Project history

Joshua Tauberer began the project in 2013 and is its primary maintainer.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Requirements

The setup guide requires a fresh Ubuntu 22.04 x64 server and at least 512 MB of RAM; it says containers and modified images are not supported.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Spam and filtering

It includes spam filtering, greylisting, mail filter rules, and email client autoconfiguration.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Spam and rules

Included mail features include spam filtering, greylisting, and mail filter rules.Read 11 Oct 2026 · mailinabox.email

Where Specifiction places it

• Mail Server Software#27 of 347.5