Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Mu4e VS OpenSMTPD

Compare Mu4e VS OpenSMTPD and see what are their differences

Mu4e logo Mu4e

Starting with version 0.9.8, mu provides an emacs-based e-mail client which uses mu as its back-end: mu4e.

OpenSMTPD logo OpenSMTPD

OpenSMTPD is a FREE implementation of the server-side SMTP protocol as defined by RFC 5321, with...
  • Mu4e Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-26
  • OpenSMTPD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-03-05

Mu4e features and specs

  • Speed
    Mu4e is known for its fast search capabilities due to the underlying 'mu' engine, which is optimized to handle large volumes of emails efficiently.
  • Integration with Emacs
    Mu4e is built specifically for Emacs users, offering seamless integration and the ability to use Emacs' powerful editing features within the email client.
  • Lightweight
    Mu4e is lightweight and requires significantly fewer resources compared to many graphical email clients, making it an ideal choice for users who prefer minimalistic software.
  • Customization
    As part of the Emacs ecosystem, Mu4e can be highly customized to fit individual workflows, allowing users to tailor the interface and functionality extensively through Emacs Lisp.
  • Keyboard-centric
    Users can operate Mu4e effectively using keyboard shortcuts, which can enhance productivity for those who prefer keyboard navigation over mouse-driven interfaces.

Possible disadvantages of Mu4e

  • Steep Learning Curve
    For new users, especially those not familiar with Emacs, setting up and learning how to use Mu4e can be challenging and time-consuming.
  • Text-based Interface
    Mu4e lacks a modern graphical user interface, which may not appeal to users who prefer visually intuitive and styled interfaces found in traditional email clients.
  • Limited Features
    Compared to fully-featured email clients, Mu4e may lack certain advanced features out of the box, such as calendar integration or in-depth HTML email rendering.
  • Emacs Dependency
    Using Mu4e requires having Emacs installed and running, which may not be ideal for users who do not use or want to adopt Emacs for other tasks.
  • Configuration Complexity
    Properly configuring Mu4e can be complex and involves managing Emacs configuration files, which might be a barrier for users who prefer straightforward, GUI-based configuration methods.

OpenSMTPD features and specs

  • Simplicity
    OpenSMTPD is designed to be simple and straightforward, which makes it easier to configure and manage compared to other mail transfer agents. Its configuration syntax is clean and readable.
  • Security-focused
    One of the main goals of OpenSMTPD is to provide a secure mail transfer agent. It is developed by the OpenBSD team, which is known for its emphasis on security.
  • Lightweight
    OpenSMTPD is a lightweight solution, using minimal system resources, making it suitable for systems with lower hardware capabilities or for those looking to optimize performance.
  • Integration with OpenBSD
    As a project developed by the OpenBSD team, OpenSMTPD integrates well with OpenBSD, taking advantage of the system's security features and optimizations.
  • Active Community
    OpenSMTPD has an active development community, which provides timely updates, patches, and support, helping to keep the software secure and reliable.

Possible disadvantages of OpenSMTPD

  • Feature Limitation
    Compared to more established mail servers like Postfix or Exim, OpenSMTPD may lack some advanced features or integrations that larger enterprises might require.
  • Limited Documentation
    The documentation for OpenSMTPD, while improving, is not as comprehensive as that for more widely-used MTAs, which can create a steeper learning curve for new administrators.
  • Less Third-Party Support
    Due to its lesser adoption compared to other MTAs, there might be fewer third-party tools, plugins, and resources available for extending OpenSMTPD's capabilities.
  • Platform Specific Optimization
    While its integration with OpenBSD is a strength, it may not be as optimized for other operating systems, possibly leading to a less efficient experience outside the BSD ecosystem.
  • Community-Centric Development
    Being a smaller, community-driven project, OpenSMTPD may not offer the same level of support or development resources as more commercially backed mail server solutions.

Mu4e videos

MAKEUP REVIEW for MU4E aqua eyes

OpenSMTPD videos

DAY[0] Episode #31 - kr00k, GhostCat, and more issues from NordVPN, Samsung, OpenSMTPd

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Mu4e and OpenSMTPD)
Email
74 74%
26% 26
SMTP Servers
0 0%
100% 100
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
MTA
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Mu4e and OpenSMTPD

Mu4e Reviews

We have no reviews of Mu4e yet.
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OpenSMTPD Reviews

Best Free and Open Source Alternatives to Microsoft Exchange Server
OpenSMTPD is an implementation of the server-side SMTP protocol, with some additional standard extensions. Its design goals include security, reliability, ease of configuration, and support for common use cases.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenSMTPD seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 2 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Mu4e mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Mu4e yet. Tracking of Mu4e recommendations started around Mar 2021.

OpenSMTPD mentions (2)

  • Has anyone setup a Linux based internal only smtp relay?
    I've had something of the same experience with Postfix, u/0x29aNull. Check out OpenSMTPD. It is lightweight and standards compliant. I know that there are packages for Debian and Alpine Linux. There may also be ones for Fedora/RHEL derivatives. I use it in my environment on OpenBSD. Source: over 3 years ago
  • DKIM Migration: Rpamd instead of DKIMproxy out on OpenBSD / OpenSMTPD
    When I installed Rspamd with on OpenBSD / OpenSMTPD the other day, DKIMProxy out (dkimproxy_out daemon), which had been got via OpenBSD Ports package system, was used to add DKIM signatures to mails in order to improve security on emails. - Source: dev.to / about 5 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Mu4e and OpenSMTPD, you can also consider the following products

Mailspring - Mailspring is a mail client for Mac, Windows and Linux.

Postfix - Postfix is a mail transfer agent (MTA) that routes and delivers electronic mail.

Alpine - Alpine is a fast, easy to use email client that is suitable for both the inexperienced email user...

Exim - Exim is a message transfer agent (MTA) developed at the University of Cambridge for use on Unix systems connected to the Internet.

Mutt - Mutt is a small but very powerful text-based mail client for Unix operating systems.

Sendmail - Sendmail is a general purpose internetwork email routing facility that supports many kinds of...