Horde Groupware vs Mailbox.org
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Horde Groupware is a web-based collaboration platform that provides email, calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes in a single interface. It is built on the Horde PHP framework and can be self‑hosted on any standard web server. The suite supports IMAP/SMTP integration, shared calendars, and granular permission controls, making it suitable for organizations that need a customizable, privacy‑focused alternative to commercial groupware solutions.
Mailbox.org is a German-based email and office suite that prioritizes user privacy. It offers PGP encryption at rest, ensuring that emails and data are protected from unauthorized access. The suite includes features such as email, calendar, and document editing, all designed with security and privacy in mind.
- Completely free and open-source
- Highly customizable via plugins
- Runs on standard LAMP environments
- Strong permission and sharing controls
- High level of security and privacy
- PGP encryption at rest
- Compliant with strict German data protection laws
- Feature-rich office suite
- Requires technical expertise to install and maintain
- User interface feels dated compared to modern SaaS tools
- Limited mobile app support; relies on web browser
- No free tier; only a 30-day trial, with paid plans from EUR 1 per month
- Not as widely known as other email hosting solutions
- May require technical expertise to set up
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Horde Groupware
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataMailbox.org offers a paid, privacy‑focused, German‑jurisdiction email and office suite with strong encryption, while Horde Groupware is a free, open‑source, self‑hosted solution requiring more technical effort.
Key differences
- •Mailbox.org provides built‑in PGP encryption at rest and two‑factor authentication; Horde relies on external configuration for encryption.
- •Mailbox.org is a hosted service with EU datacenter; Horde must be self‑hosted on any LAMP stack you provide.
- •Pricing: Mailbox.org starts at €1/month with no free tier; Horde is completely free.
- •Support model: Mailbox.org offers vendor support (implied by paid service); Horde has community support only.
- •Compliance: Mailbox.org complies with strict German data protection laws; Horde has no specified compliance guarantees.
Pricing & value
Horde is free; Mailbox.org requires a paid subscription starting at €1/month.
Uptime & reliability
Mailbox.org is a managed service hosted in EU datacenters; Horde depends on your own infrastructure.
Performance
Mailbox.org runs on provider‑managed servers; Horde performance varies with your chosen hosting environment.
Developer experience
Horde runs on any standard LAMP stack and is extensible via plugins; Mailbox.org is a closed SaaS.
Regions & compliance
Mailbox.org is based in Germany with strict data protection laws; Horde has no specified compliance.
Support
Mailbox.org includes vendor support as part of its paid plans; Horde relies on community resources.
Lock‑in
Horde is open‑source and self‑hosted, allowing full data export; Mailbox.org data resides on provider servers.
Choose Horde Groupware if…
Tech‑savvy SMBs, NGOs, or educators comfortable managing their own servers and wanting a free, customizable suite.
Choose Mailbox.org if…
Businesses or individuals needing guaranteed privacy, German‑law compliance, and ready‑made support.
Common questions
Is there any free tier for Mailbox.org?
No, Mailbox.org offers only a 30‑day trial; paid plans start at €1 per month.
Do I need to host Horde myself?
Yes, Horde runs on any standard LAMP stack that you install and maintain.
Which option provides built‑in encryption and compliance?
Mailbox.org includes PGP‑at‑rest encryption and complies with German data protection laws; Horde does not specify these features.