Tech riderRev. 5 Oct 2026
  1. 1Runs onAPI, Linux, self-hosted, Web
  2. 2CostsFree plan
2 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: github.com
The Mailtrain homepage

Overview

Mailtrain is a free, self-hosted newsletter application built on Node.js and MySQL or MariaDB. It manages subscriber lists, segmentation, and custom fields, and supports triggered and RSS campaign automation. Email templates include MJML-based templates, while custom reports provide reporting capabilities. Multiple users can work with granular permissions and flexible sharing, and hierarchical namespaces support organization across larger setups. Mailtrain includes Zone-MTA for mail delivery and separates trusted, sandbox, and public endpoints to help avoid XSS attacks in multi-user settings. Its Docker configuration supports LDAP authentication and CAS, with an optional API access-token setting. Mailtrain v2 is distributed under the GPL-V3.0 license and is listed at no cost. Deployment options include Docker Compose and direct installation on CentOS 7 or Ubuntu 18.04 LTS. Version 2 requires Node.js 14 or later and MySQL 8 or later, or MariaDB 10 or later; the recommended minimum hardware is 2 vCPU and 4096 MB RAM. Docker users should set ADMIN_PASSWORD because the default is test.

Who it is for

Mailtrain suits organizations that want to host and manage newsletter campaigns themselves, including setups with multiple users and granular permissions. It requires the stated server software and hardware, and Docker deployments need an administrator password change.

What is good

  • Supports subscriber segmentation and custom fields.
  • Automates triggered and RSS campaigns.
  • Includes MJML-based templates and custom reports.
  • Offers granular permissions and hierarchical namespaces.

What to know first

  • Requires Node.js 14 or later.
  • Requires MySQL 8 or later, or MariaDB 10 or later.
  • Recommended minimum is 2 vCPU and 4096 MB RAM.
  • Docker users should change the default password.

Verdict

Mailtrain offers a self-hosted newsletter workflow with list management, campaign automation, and multi-user controls. Its infrastructure requirements and Docker password warning are important setup considerations.

Mailtrain plans and pricing

All plans
Mailtrain v2 Free Self-hosted; recommended minimum 2 vCPU · 4096 MB RAM github.com · 5 Oct 2026

Compared on email marketing software

Free plan
Nogithub.com

Facts

Product
Mailtrain is a self-hosted newsletter application built on Node.js and MySQL or MariaDB.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Lists
Mailtrain supports subscriber list management, list segmentation, and custom fields.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Campaigns
Mailtrain includes triggered and RSS campaign automation.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Templates
Mailtrain supports email templates, including MJML-based templates.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Reporting
Mailtrain includes custom reports.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
User access
It supports multiple users with granular permissions, flexible sharing, and hierarchical namespaces.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Mail delivery
Mailtrain includes Zone-MTA for close-to-zero setup of mail delivery.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Security design
Mailtrain separates trusted, sandbox, and public endpoints to help avoid XSS attacks in multi-user settings.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Authentication
The Docker configuration supports LDAP authentication and CAS.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Deployment
The project documents deployment with Docker Compose and direct installation on CentOS 7 or Ubuntu 18.04 LTS.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Requirements
Mailtrain v2 requires Node.js 14 or later and MySQL 8 or later, or MariaDB 10 or later.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Hardware
The recommended minimum hardware is 2 vCPU and 4096 MB RAM.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
API
The Docker configuration has an optional setting for an API access token.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
License
Mailtrain is distributed under the GPL-V3.0 license.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Reports
It includes custom reports.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Users and access
It supports multiple users with granular permissions and flexible sharing.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Enterprise organization
It supports hierarchical namespaces for enterprise-level situations.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Security
The project says its separate trusted, sandbox, and public endpoints help avoid XSS attacks in multi-user settings.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Notable setup requirement
The project warns that Docker users should set ADMIN_PASSWORD because the default password is test.github.com · 5 Oct 2026

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