Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Mailgun · 📬 email
Mailgun vs Postal
Run your own mail delivery infrastructure with a web interface, webhooks, IP pools, and spam filtering integrations for inbound and outbound email. Here is how Postal ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Mailgun ($15/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Postal is a verified Open Source-licensed open-source replacement for Mailgun. Switching from Mailgun ($15/mo) saves $180/yr per solo seat, or $900/yr for a 5-person team. Deployment: Runs on Self-host.
The catch: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Mailgun.
Postal
$0.00/mo · Open Source
Mailgun vs Postal Specifications
facts verified 2026-11-07
| Dimension | Mailgun (Paid) | Postal (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $15 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $180 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $180) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $900 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $900) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $1,800 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,800) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source Open Source |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hosteddocker to self-host |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 16.9k (active nov 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Mailgun to Postal
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Mailgun.
How to deploy Postal
Clone https://github.com/postalserver/postal or deploy with Docker Compose
What it takes to run
Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
Where your data lives
All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
Why fork Postal instead of vibe-coding a Mailgun clone?
Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Mailgun or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 7 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Billion Mail.
Mailgun vs Postal FAQ
Is Postal a good free alternative to Mailgun?+
Yes. Postal is a verified open-source (Open Source) replacement for Mailgun. Run your own mail delivery infrastructure with a web interface, webhooks, IP pools, and spam filtering integrations for inbound and outbound email.
What is the catch when switching from Mailgun to Postal?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Mailgun.
How much do you save switching from Mailgun to Postal?+
Mailgun costs $15/mo ($180/yr) per seat, whereas Postal is $0/mo. Switching saves $180/yr for a solo user, $900/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,800/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Postal instead of Mailgun?+
Install: Clone https://github.com/postalserver/postal or deploy with Docker Compose. Setup: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
