In simple English
You can read and send your email through a web page instead of a desktop app. It works like Gmail or Outlook, but it runs on your own server. You control your data and your messages stay private. It costs nothing to use, but you need a server and a database to run it. Setting it up takes some technical skill.
What it is
Roundcube Webmail is an open-source email client written in PHP (a programming language used to build websites) that connects to standard email servers. It provides a clean interface for reading, writing, and organizing messages in a web browser.
What it is good for
Solo builders who want to host their own email service and read messages through a web browser without sharing data with big tech companies.
- Familiar, modern interface that works in any web browser.
- Supports plugins and custom skins to change how it looks and works.
- Maintains an address book, message search, and folder management.
- Requires a web server, PHP, and a database like MySQL or SQLite to run.
- Setup is difficult for non-programmers who have never managed a server.
- Does not include an email server by itself, so you need a separate mail server to connect to.
Gmail
Postfix
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git clone https://github.com/roundcube/roundcubemail.git cd roundcubemail composer install --prefer-dist --no-dev