> Source: https://meetrix.io/store/mailcow/
> Markdown copy of that page. Cite the URL above, not this file.

[Store](https://meetrix.io/store/)  Mailcow

Open-source mail server

# Self-hosted Mailcow mail server on Google Cloud

Run business email on your own domain with Mailcow, the open-source mail server suite, from a pre-configured image in your own Google Cloud project. Webmail, spam filtering and antivirus are included, and there is no per-mailbox fee.

 [Launch on Google Cloud](https://console.cloud.google.com/marketplace/product/meetrix-public/mailcow-mail-server)

-   Webmail included
-   Unlimited domains
-   No per-mailbox fees

![Mailcow mail server deployed on Google Cloud by Meetrix](https://meetrix.io/assets/store/mailcow/mailcow.webp)

## What is Mailcow?

Mailcow is an open-source, Docker-based mail server suite that bundles Postfix, Dovecot, SOGo webmail, Rspamd and ClamAV. With a hosted service like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 your mail lives on their servers; with Mailcow it lives on yours, under your control.

-   ### SMTP and IMAP

    Postfix sends and receives mail, Dovecot stores it and serves IMAP.

-   ### SOGo webmail

    Browser email with calendars and address books included.

-   ### Spam filtering

    Rspamd filters spam, with a quarantine you manage from the admin panel.

-   ### Antivirus

    ClamAV scans incoming attachments.

-   ### Multiple domains

    Each domain gets its own DKIM key, quotas and settings.

-   ### Admin panel

    Add domains, mailboxes and aliases from the browser.

## What's in the Meetrix Mailcow image

Installing Mailcow yourself means Docker, SSL, firewall ports, DKIM, SPF, DMARC and Rspamd tuning. The marketplace image boots with the whole stack installed and connected.

-   The full Mailcow stack running in Docker
-   SOGo webmail on the same hostname
-   A Let's Encrypt certificate for your mail hostname
-   Firewall rules for SMTP, submission, IMAP and HTTPS
-   DKIM keys generated per domain in the admin panel
-   Email support from Meetrix at support@meetrix.io

## How to set up a self-hosted mail server

1.  ### Deploy and reserve a static IP

    Launch from Google Cloud Marketplace, then reserve the VM's external IP as static. A changing IP breaks your MX, A and PTR records.

2.  ### Point DNS at the server

    Add an A record for your mail hostname and an MX record for your domain, and ask your provider for a matching reverse DNS (PTR) record.

3.  ### Secure the admin panel

    Open https://your-mail-hostname/admin, sign in with the default credentials and change the admin password straight away.

4.  ### Add your domain and mailboxes

    Add the domain, publish its DKIM, SPF and DMARC records, then create mailboxes and log in to webmail.

## Deploy on Google Cloud

### Mailcow on Google Cloud

A Google Cloud Marketplace image, deployed into your own GCP project with Terraform or the gcloud CLI.

Deploys with

Terraform or gcloud CLI

Recommended size

e2-standard-2, 32 GB disk

Free trial

5 days, up to USD 50 licence credit

#### Setup guides

-   [**Developer guide** Static IP, DNS, DKIM, mailboxes](https://meetrix.io/blogs/mailcow-gcp-developer-guide/)
-   [**Mailcow on Google Cloud Marketplace** Who it suits and how it compares](https://meetrix.io/blogs/mailcow-gcp-marketplace/)

 [Launch on Google Cloud](https://console.cloud.google.com/marketplace/product/meetrix-public/mailcow-mail-server)

## Mailcow server ports and requirements

Confirm these firewall rules exist for the VM under VPC Network → Firewall.

| Service | Ports | Protocol |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SMTP and submission | 25, 465, 587 | TCP |
| IMAP and IMAPS | 143, 993 | TCP |
| Webmail and admin (HTTPS) | 443 | TCP |
| SSH (administration) | 22 | TCP |

Server size: e2-standard-2 (2 vCPU, 8 GB RAM) with a 32 GB disk suits a small team. Add CPU and disk for more mailboxes, attachments or longer retention.

## Mailcow by Meetrix vs Google Workspace vs Zimbra

|  | Mailcow by Meetrix | Google Workspace | Zimbra |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Hosting | Your own GCP project | Google's cloud | Self-hosted or Zimbra-hosted |
| Data control | Mail never leaves your project | Google holds and processes your mail | Yours, if you self-host it |
| Pricing model | Cloud compute only, no per-mailbox fee | Per-user monthly subscription | Free community edition or per-user licence |
| Data residency | Any region you choose | Google's data processing terms apply | Depends on where you host it |

Self-hosted mail puts deliverability in your hands, including your IP's reputation. [Read the full Mailcow on Google Cloud comparison →](https://meetrix.io/blogs/mailcow-gcp-marketplace/)

## Mailcow FAQ

What is Mailcow?

An open-source, Docker-based mail server suite that bundles Postfix, Dovecot, SOGo webmail, Rspamd and ClamAV, so you run business email on your own server instead of a hosted service.

Which DNS records does Mailcow need?

An A record for your mail hostname, an MX record for your domain, and a PTR record for the static IP. After adding the domain, publish the DKIM key Mailcow generates plus the SPF and DMARC records it recommends.

Do I need a static IP?

Yes. Reserve one before pointing DNS at the server. If the VM restarts on an ephemeral IP, the address can change and break your mail records and delivery.

Why is my mail landing in spam?

Check that the DKIM, SPF and DMARC records match what the admin panel shows and that the PTR record resolves to your mail hostname. A new sending IP also needs time to build a reputation.

Can I host more than one domain?

Yes. Mailcow does not limit domains or mailboxes; each domain has its own DKIM key and quotas. The practical limit is your machine type and disk size.

Does webmail work out of the box?

Yes. SOGo webmail is reachable at the same hostname once SSL has issued. Sign in with any mailbox you create.

How do I check the containers are healthy?

SSH into the server and run sudo docker ps -a. The postfix, dovecot, sogo, rspamd, clamd and other Mailcow containers should all show Up.

Is Mailcow available on AWS?

Not yet. The Meetrix Mailcow image is only on Google Cloud Marketplace today, and there is no AWS listing. If you need a mail server on AWS, contact us and we can talk through a setup.

## Mailcow guides and articles

### [Mailcow Mail Server on GCP Marketplace](https://meetrix.io/blogs/mailcow-gcp-marketplace/)

Running your own mail server, without the 2am surprises.

### [Mailcow on GCP: Developer Guide](https://meetrix.io/blogs/mailcow-gcp-developer-guide/)

Static IP, DNS, DKIM, domains, mailboxes and webmail, step by step.

## Need a hand with your mail server?

We build and run self-hosted infrastructure for teams every day, from DNS and deliverability to mail migrations. Tell us what you need.

[Contact us](https://meetrix.io/contact-us/)