Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Rainloop VS Roundcube

Compare Rainloop VS Roundcube and see what are their differences

Rainloop logo Rainloop

RainLoop is a web based email client.

Roundcube logo Roundcube

Web-based IMAP email client
  • Rainloop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-19
  • Roundcube Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-18

Rainloop features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Rainloop has a clean and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, providing a good user experience even for those who are not tech-savvy.
  • Lightweight
    Being a web-based email client, Rainloop is lightweight and does not require heavy server resources, which ensures faster loading times and performance.
  • No Database Required
    Rainloop operates without requiring a database, simplifying the installation process and reducing potential points of failure.
  • Support for Multiple Email Providers
    It supports various email protocols such as IMAP and SMTP, and works seamlessly with major email services like Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook.
  • Modern Features
    Features like two-factor authentication (2FA), PGP encryption support, and integration with third-party services add to security and functionality.

Possible disadvantages of Rainloop

  • Limited Customization
    While Rainloop offers a range of functionalities, its customization options are somewhat limited compared to other email clients.
  • Lacks Advanced Features
    For advanced users, Rainloop might lack certain features like advanced filtering, tagging, or extensive plugin support.
  • Dependency on External Libraries
    Rainloop relies on some external libraries, which could pose security risks or lead to compatibility issues if those libraries are not maintained.
  • Paid Version for Advanced Features
    Some advanced functionalities and features are only available in the paid pro version, such as ActiveSync support and administrative settings.
  • Limited Community Support
    The community around Rainloop is smaller compared to more widely used email clients, which might limit the availability of community-driven support and plugins.

Roundcube features and specs

  • Open Source
    Roundcube is free and open-source software, allowing for extensive customization and improvements by the community.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    It offers a modern and intuitive webmail interface that is easy to use for users of all technical levels.
  • Extensibility
    Roundcube supports plugins, enabling the addition of new features and functionalities tailored to specific needs.
  • Security
    The platform includes multiple security features such as built-in protection against XSS and CSRF attacks, ensuring a safer email experience.
  • Localization
    It supports multiple languages, making it accessible to users globally.

Possible disadvantages of Roundcube

  • Dependency on External Email Server
    Roundcube requires an external email server to function, which may be a drawback for users seeking an all-in-one solution.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running Roundcube can be resource-intensive, impacting the performance of low-end servers.
  • Complex Setup
    Initial installation and configuration can be complex, requiring technical expertise and familiarity with server management.
  • Limited Mobile Support
    Roundcube's interface is not fully optimized for mobile devices, which may affect the user experience on smartphones and tablets.
  • Maintenance
    Regular updates and maintenance are necessary to ensure security and functionality, which can be time-consuming.

Analysis of Rainloop

Overall verdict

  • Rainloop is a solid choice for users looking for a no-fuss, efficient, and customizable webmail client. Its performance, ease of use, and support for multiple email services make it a popular option.

Why this product is good

  • Rainloop is a lightweight and user-friendly email client that offers seamless integration with various email services such as Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, and others. It provides a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to navigate. The client supports multiple accounts and has a high level of customization. Additionally, Rainloop is open-source, which means it benefits from community-driven improvements and security reviews.

Recommended for

  • Individuals looking for a lightweight webmail client
  • Users who manage multiple email accounts
  • Open-source enthusiasts
  • Those who require a straightforward and fast interface

Analysis of Roundcube

Overall verdict

  • Roundcube is a solid choice for those looking for a customizable and reliable webmail solution. Its open-source nature makes it a preferred option for developers and organizations seeking a cost-effective and adaptable solution.

Why this product is good

  • Roundcube is a popular web-based email client known for its user-friendly interface and rich feature set. It is an open-source application, which allows customization and flexibility for various use cases. With a robust plugin environment, Roundcube can be extended to fit specific needs, and it supports standards-compliant email protocols such as IMAP. Additionally, its responsive design ensures accessibility across different devices.

Recommended for

    Roundcube is recommended for small to medium-sized organizations, educational institutions, and individuals looking for a versatile and user-friendly webmail client. It is especially suitable for those who require an open-source solution that can be tailored to specific needs through plugins and custom development.

Rainloop videos

How to install RainLoop Webmail

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to install Rainloop Webmail 1.12.0 on Ubuntu 18.04
  • Tutorial - How to install RainLoop E-Mail Client in Ubuntu

Roundcube videos

Siteground Webmail Review: Login Access Email Account and Roundcube Overview

More videos:

  • Review - Roundcube Webmail 2018 Review, Free Download For Windows

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Rainloop and Roundcube)
Email
30 30%
70% 70
Email Management
100 100%
0% 0
Email Clients
26 26%
74% 74
Enterprise Communication
33 33%
67% 67

User comments

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Reviews

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

Rainloop Reviews

Top 15 Self-hosted open-source free web-based email clients
RainLoop integrates seamlessly with Google, Facebook, Twitter and Dropbox. It features a messages' folder management, media-rich email rendering, advanced attachment management, keyboard shortcuts, multiple email accounts manager, and more.
Source: medevel.com
15 Best iRedMail Alternatives 2021
Rainloop is a modern email server with an easy installation process and support for SMTP and IMAP protocols like STARTTLS and SSL. It delivers a seamless performance and OTA upgrades without the need for a database.
5 open source webmail clients for browser-based email
Next up is Rainloop. Rainloop is a very modern entry into the webmail arena, and its interface is definitely closer to what you might expect if you're used to Gmail or another commercial email client. It comes with most features you've come to expect, including email address autocompletion, drag-and-drop and keyboard interfaces, filtering support, and many others, and it can...
Source: opensource.com

Roundcube Reviews

Top 15 Self-hosted open-source free web-based email clients
RoundCube features LDAP connection, address book management, IDNA and SMTPUTF8 support, share/ global IMAP folders, import/ export options, threaded message listing and more.
Source: medevel.com
15 Best iRedMail Alternatives 2021
Roundcube also offers many of the functions you can find on iRedMail including message searching, folder manipulation, multiple sender identities, support for the external SMTP server, import/export, and unlimited messages and users.
Top 10 Webmail Clients in 2021
RoundCube RoundCube Webmail is a PHP webmail client that will work with a MySQL or Postgres database. One appealing feature it brings is the ability to skin the application-style user interface using XHTML and CSS 2. The app is a multi-language IMAP client whose features include MIME support, address book, editable folder search and spelling check, and it works in your web...
Source: www.plesk.com
5 open source webmail clients for browser-based email
I really like Horde's mobile UI, and the mail client was pretty easy to install separate from the rest of it. SquirrelMail and RoundCube are challenging to use on a mobile device. RoundCube has a supposed mobile plugin but I could not get it to work.
Source: opensource.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Roundcube seems to be a lot more popular than Rainloop. While we know about 17 links to Roundcube, we've tracked only 1 mention of Rainloop. 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.

Rainloop mentions (1)

  • Meet PostPilot
    Have a local mail server be part of your development environment, along with a frontend like SquirrelMail or RainLoop. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago

Roundcube mentions (17)

  • Ask HN: Who Is the Best Paid Email Provider? Why?
    Iโ€™m also a happy Migadu customer, and I have never had to interact with their support. I use it for most of my domains, except for a few that are work-related. For Webmail, I have been meaning to try https://roundcube.net You can try it out at https://www.pikapods.com/apps#email to see if this works for you. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Proton Mail says Outlook for Windows is Microsoft's new data collection service
    I have tried several, and liked none of them. I'm currently on Geary, but it's lacking in functionality, and it has things like search results being a bit different upon each of my searches. Starred messages cannot be shown on top. Eyeroll. I think Evolution and Thunderbird are the top contenders, and of the self-hosted ones, Roundcube. https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Geary https://roundcube.net/. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Universal Inbox / Email Client
    You could try a standalone email client like Mozilla's Thunderbird, or if you're experienced running a web server, you could check out something like Roundcube. I suppose you could even run it locally if you're familiar with PHP and/or Docker. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Thunderbird 115 Supernova Preview: The New Folder Pane
    What I really miss is a "web companion" for Thunderbird, basically something like https://roundcube.net/ or https://www.horde.org/apps/webmail, but a bit more powerful and with better UX. I'd like to use a Google Addressbook within such app, for example (there is a completely outdated plug-in for RoundCube). Another important thing would be powerful and fast search. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • I Want To Serve My Email Locally From My Linux Server With a Web-Based Interface
    Alternatively if you want to keep what you have I wouldn't recommend using the SoGO even though it's the nicest and most modern option. Mainly because it's a full groupware client and will require a lot of configuration. Instead using Roundcube is probably your best option. Source: over 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Rainloop and Roundcube, you can also consider the following products

Mailpile - Mailpile is a modern, fast web-mail client with user-friendly encryption and privacy features.

Zimbra - Zimbra is trusted by over 500 million users to increase productivity with a complete set of collaboration tools while maintaining total control over security and privacy.

Horde - Horde Groupware is a free, enterprise ready, browser based collaboration suite.

Mailo - Mailo is an email client where you can send and receive emails to and from anyone with an email address.

Cypht - All your E-mail, from all your accounts, in one place. Cypht is like a news reader, but for E-mail.

Microsoft Outlook - Organize your world. Outlookโ€™s email and calendar tools help you communicate, stay on top of what matters, and get things done.