Mailu

Mailu is a full mail server stack distributed as a set of Docker containers, providing SMTP and IMAP services plus webmail and administration. It aims to make running a secure, standards-compliant email server easier by bundling the common components and exposing a web UI for daily management.

Key Features

• Complete mail stack in containers: SMTP (Postfix), IMAP (Dovecot), and web front-end services
• Web administration interface to manage domains, users/mailboxes, aliases, and credentials
• Built-in anti-spam and content filtering using Rspamd (with milter integration)
• Optional antivirus scanning via ClamAV
• Email authentication support (e.g., DKIM signing via OpenDKIM; DMARC-related configuration documented)
• Webmail via Roundcube (optional) and support for additional services depending on deployment profile
• Multiple deployment options and profiles (e.g., docker-compose; behind reverse proxies such as Traefik)

Use Cases

• Self-managed email hosting for a personal domain (mailboxes and aliases)
• Small organization mail service with web-based administration and spam/virus filtering
• Lab/home server mail stack for learning and testing SMTP/IMAP, DKIM, and anti-spam configuration

Limitations and Considerations

• Operating a deliverable email service requires correct DNS configuration (MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and ongoing reputation/anti-abuse management
• Some features depend on optional containers/services (e.g., webmail, antivirus), increasing resource usage and operational complexity

Mailu provides an integrated, container-first approach to email hosting that combines the core MTAs/IMAP server with a management UI and anti-spam/AV components. It is a practical choice when you want a cohesive, well-known mail stack with minimal manual wiring between services.