A webmail server is an application responsible for sending, receiving and storing email messages using protocols like POP, SMTP and IMAP via either local or remote servers. This server is usually downloaded and installed on the desktop computers, on laptops, and on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, thus, its status as a form of software.
In this list of the top 7 webmail software, we shall briefly discuss the features and functions of each application. Keep in mind that each webmail server has its pros and cons in terms of its ability to address the needs and wants of its target customers. Each of these webmail software examples will give their competitors stiff competition for dominance in the market.
MailEnable
MailEnable is widely considered as the best webmail server by many if the world’s largest hosting organizations. Its impressive features including responsive webmail, effective mobile connectivity, and excellent security system, among others, continue to draw in customers to its side. It is available for a test run via its Standard version, which is suitable for small-sized businesses, but mid-sized and large-scale organizations are strongly advised to install the paid versions (i.e., Professional and Enterprise).
Roundcube
Roundcube is a free software/browser based on multilingual IMAP client written in the PHP language. It most notable feature lies in the prevalent application of Ajax technology, which results in a more fluid, responsive and effective user interface than that provided by many a webmail server in the market today. Its other features include MIME support, folder manipulation and shared folders, contacts search, threaded message lists, and address books, to name a few, which makes it a reliable webmail server for its users.
SquirrelMail
SquirrelMail, an Open Source application, is written in PHP4 that provides the best of both worlds – an IMAP proxy webmail server and a web-based email application. It has the advantage of easy installation on virtually all web servers with PHP and with access to an SMTP and IMAP server, thus, making it compatible with majority of present web browsers. Its plugin architecture can accommodate updates including additional features and functions around its core software, said updates of which presently includes over 200 plugins from its official website.
Atmail
AtMail, also written as @mail, offers several things going for it as a webmail server. It offers webmail client, mail server appliance, and email server platform for Windows, Linux and Unix, thus, making it one of the more popular products in the market today. It is also designed to leverage open source projects including Exim, Dovecot and MySQL, to provide a comprehensive web-based mail platform, and to provide for an enterprise mail solution.
Zimbra
Zimbra is a popular webmail server applications but it has many shortcomings that make it less satisfactory than the best webmail server on this list. It is a browser-based AJAX client that provides for features like visual search builder, message conversation view, and synchronisation of mail, calendar, and contacts with both open-source and proprietary clients.
Microsoft Office Outlook
Microsoft Office Outlook is used primarily as a personal information manager with features related to email application as well as calendar, contact manager, task manager, and web browsing, among others. As a webmail server, it can be used with Microsoft SharePoint Server and Microsoft Exchange Server for multiple uses including but not limited to shared mailboxes and calendars, public folders, and meeting schedules. It also has third-party applications for Outlook integration for mobile devices.
Mozilla Thunderbird
Yet another popular webmail server is Mozilla Thunderbird, a free open source, cross-platform client providing email, chat and news services provided by the Mozilla Foundation. It is not a personal information manager like many a webmail server on this list but its extensions will add the desired PIM features and functions. It has the necessary architecture to manage multiple email accounts and to support multiple identities within the accounts.
