Communication
Self-host Mail-in-a-Box on a VPS
One-command self-hosted email.
A scripted bundle that stands up a complete mail server with webmail, spam filtering and DNS guidance.
Why self-host Mail-in-a-Box?
Mail-in-a-Box is the fastest way for a non-specialist to run real email, with sensible defaults and a single install command.
How to install Mail-in-a-Box
- 1
Provision a VPS
Choose a plan with room for your data as well as the app.
- 2
Install the stack
Install Ubuntu + Postfix/Dovecot + Roundcube.
- 3
Deploy the application
Follow the project’s official install guide for your distribution.
- 4
Enable HTTPS
Serve it on your own domain behind a reverse proxy with a certificate.
- 5
Back it up
Schedule a database dump plus a copy of any uploaded files to an off-box location.
Practical tips
- Give Mail-in-a-Box its own database user with rights only on its own schema.
- Reverse-proxy Mail-in-a-Box and terminate TLS at the proxy so certificates are managed in one place.
- Take a VPS snapshot before major upgrades so you can roll back cleanly.
- Keep Mail-in-a-Box patched — most self-hosting incidents are unpatched software.
Frequently asked questions
- How much RAM does Mail-in-a-Box need?
- Plan on 2 GB for typical use; add headroom if you expect many concurrent users.
- What stack does Mail-in-a-Box run on?
- Ubuntu + Postfix/Dovecot + Roundcube.
- Can I run other things on the same VPS?
- Yes — size the plan so Mail-in-a-Box plus your other workloads fit in RAM with room to spare.
Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include mailcow, iRedMail, Poste.io — browse all app guides.