Apache James vs Courier Mail Server
Apache James
james.apache.orgCourier Mail Server
courier-mta.orgSide by side
| Figure | Apache James | Courier Mail Server |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Mail Server Software | 8.1 (#8) | 8.5 (#1) |
| Product | Apache James is a modular mail server running on the JVM. | Courier is an integrated mail and groupware server providing ESMTP, IMAP, POP3, webmail, and mailing list services. |
| Security | The download page instructs users to verify downloaded files using signatures and provides SHA-512 and PGP links for server binaries. | Courier supports STARTTLS and SSL for ESMTP, IMAP, POP3, and webmail; its ESMTP client can require a certificate signed by a trusted root CA. |
| Storage | Listed storage implementations include Cassandra, PostgreSQL, HSQLDB, MySQL, and OpenSearch. | Maildir is its native storage format; the integrated POP3, IMAP, and webmail servers work with maildir mailboxes only. |
| Support | The project lists companies offering professional support, including consultancy, feature development, and project integration. | The site lists an unmoderated courier-users mailing list for questions, bug reports, and comments, plus a separate read-only announcement list. |
Plans
In their own words
Apache James
Apache James has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Courier Mail Server
Courier Mail Server has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.