Should you run your own mail server?

Running your own mail server gives you full control and privacy, but it comes with responsibilities. Here is what to expect before you start.

Advantages

• Full control over your data and mailboxes, with no imposed limits.
• Privacy: emails stay on your server.
• Unlimited addresses on your domains, at a fixed cost.

Challenges

• Deliverability: large servers (Gmail, Outlook) are suspicious of new servers. You need correct SPF, DKIM, DMARC and reverse DNS.
• Maintenance: updates, security and spam filtering are up to you.
• IP reputation: a new IP must be "warmed up" gradually.

What you need

1. An IP with good reputation and reverse DNS, see reverse DNS (PTR).
2. Correct email records, see SPF, DKIM and DMARC.
3. A stable server that runs around the clock.

Alternative

If you only want to send email from an app, an SMTP relay is simpler than a full mail server. For full control, continue with installing a mail server with Mailcow.