Email Self-Hosting Debate

Cluster discusses pros, cons, and recommendations for self-hosting email servers (e.g., Mail-in-a-Box, Postfix) versus using third-party providers like Fastmail, Protonmail, or Migadu with custom domains.

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Sample Comments

oblib • Aug 27, 2017 • View on HN

Have you looked into building your own mail server?It's certainly a bit of work but it may be worth your effort.Check out https://mailinabox.email

core-utility • Oct 10, 2024 • View on HN

You don't need to deal with the hassle of your own email server for this. Just buy a domain and use Fastmail, Protonmail, or any other service you trust.

dingo_bat • Sep 13, 2017 • View on HN

You should be hosting your own if you're serious about email.

BaudouinVH • Apr 27, 2022 • View on HN

you can host your own email : https://mailinabox.email/

bhaney • Jun 7, 2024 • View on HN

I've been self-hosting my email for over 7 years now. Just threw postfix and a couple standard milters on the smallest digital ocean droplet (so it would have an IP with a good reputation) and let it go. Had some deliverability issues to microsoft mail services at first but went through a support process that took care of that. Never had any other issues.If you aren't familiar with postfix it can be a pain to setup correctly, but I think there are a bunch of mail server software bun

dddddaviddddd • Jul 3, 2019 • View on HN

Maybe consider setting up postfix to self-host email for a domain.

be-prepared • Oct 24, 2013 • View on HN

Ditch Gmail and host your own email server.

Axiol • Sep 24, 2018 • View on HN

Same here. FastMail with a custom domain name. First I was planning to self host. But I thing mails are quite touchy and doing it myself may be a risk.

astoriafloyd • Sep 23, 2021 • View on HN

Do you host your email yourself?

x4e • Aug 4, 2021 • View on HN

I would say self hosting is best. At least if you lose your domain name you still have your emails.