A Complete Mail Server You Run Yourself
Grace Mail Self-hosted is a complete mail server program for teams that prefer to run email on their own hardware. Standards-based, deliverability tooling included, designed to install cleanly and operate predictably. Buy the license, deploy on your infrastructure, keep what you paid for.
Buy Once, Owe Nothing
Microsoft, Google and Proton bill every person, every month, forever. Grace Mail Self-hosted is a one-time perpetual license you run on your own hardware. It costs more up front and then stops costing. Here is how that plays out over time - and on privacy.
| What matters | Microsoft 365 | Google Workspace | Proton Mail | Grace Mail Self-hosted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription | Subscription | One-time licenseA perpetual license you buy once and run forever. You provide the hardware; optional update subscription for ongoing releases. |
| Up-front cost | €0 | €0 | €0 | €499One-time perpetual license. Nothing further is required to keep running what you bought. |
| 3-year cost, 10 mailboxes | €1,440 | €2,160 | €2,520 | €499Competitor totals are the per-mailbox rate over 36 months. Grace is the one-time license; you run it on your own hardware. |
| 3-year cost, 50 mailboxes | €7,200 | €10,800 | €12,600 | €499The license is per server - seat count never changes it. You provide the hosting. |
| Provider able to read content | Able toThe provider runs the servers and holds the keys, so it is technically able to access message contents. | Able toThe provider runs the servers and holds the keys, so it is technically able to access message contents. | CannotZero-access encryption means messages are stored so that even Proton cannot read them. | CannotYou run the server on your own hardware, so no third-party provider ever holds your mail. |
| AI able to access inbox | CopilotCopilot can be granted access to mailbox content across the tenant. | GeminiGemini can be granted access to Gmail content across the domain. | None | None |
| End-to-end encryption | S/MIME add-onNo default end-to-end encryption; available only via S/MIME or message-encryption add-ons. | Enterprise add-onClient-side encryption is limited to higher Enterprise and Education tiers. | Built-inEnd-to-end encryption is on by default between Proton users. | PGP, your keysStandards-based PGP and S/MIME - you hold the private keys, nobody else. |
| Data jurisdiction | USUS providers fall under the CLOUD Act: authorities can compel access to data even when it is stored abroad. | USUS providers fall under the CLOUD Act: authorities can compel access to data even when it is stored abroad. | SwitzerlandSwiss privacy law (nFADP) is strict and sits outside both EU and US data-sharing frameworks. | YoursYou choose the exact location and legal jurisdiction, because the server is on your own hardware. |
| You own the server | No | No | No | FullyYour hardware, your license, your data - nothing depends on anyone else staying in business. |
| If you stop paying | Access ends | Access ends | Access ends | Keeps runningThe license is perpetual. Skipping the optional update subscription only pauses new releases - what you have keeps working. |
Competitor figures are typical entry business-plan rates times seat count over 36 months and change over time. Grace Mail Self-hosted is a one-time perpetual license; you provide the hardware, so ongoing cost is your own infrastructure, not a per-seat fee.
A typical email provider can read every message you send and receive. With Grace Mail, nobody can.
What the License Includes
Deployment Package
One package, documented installation, sensible defaults. Standard Linux targets supported. Niche distributions validated on request during license inquiry.
Admin Console
Admin GUI for mailbox management, domain configuration, deliverability monitoring, log inspection. Built for the operator who has other things to do.
Integrated Deliverability Tooling
SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configuration helpers. Bounce parsing. Reputation monitoring hooks. The plumbing that determines whether mail actually arrives, included in the package.
Documentation and Direct Support
Setup guides, operations documentation, and direct access to the team that builds the product. Paid incident support available for situations that need a second pair of hands.
Stack and Deployment
Grace Mail is the same software LINK-V runs in production for managed clients. And ourselves. Battle-tested in real operational conditions.
Standards-Based Protocols
SMTP and IMAP. Modern TLS by required - plain connections refused at the protocol level. Existing mail clients just work.
Sensible Operating Targets
Standard Linux distributions. Standard hardware. Minimum specs for CPU, RAM, and storage documented during license inquiry. We review your existing setup if you'd rather use what you have.
Operator Tooling Included
Logs, monitoring hooks, queue inspection, backup integration points. The things real operators need at 2 a.m. when something needs attention.
Security at Every Layer
TLS at every connection. AES-256 disk encryption on the data partition. No content-based recognition or extraction - the server stores and delivers, with spam filtering and antivirus running on incoming mail. Backups are encrypted at source. Grace Mail is built on modern security principles.
Licensing and Updates
Buy once, own it. No subscriptions required, no expiry on what you paid for.
- All minor version (v4.x) updates included
- Unlimited mailboxes and domains
- Admin console and deliverability tooling
- Documentation and direct support access
- Standard Linux deployment package
What Is Included
Everything below comes with the license. One purchase, no recurring requirements.
- Unlimited mailboxes and domains
- Admin console - mailboxes, domains, logs, delivery monitoring
- Works with Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird, mobile
- SPF, DKIM, DMARC configuration helpers
- Spam and antivirus filtering on incoming mail
- Encrypted connections and on-disk encryption
- Bounce handling and reputation monitoring hooks
- Backup integration points
- All v4.x minor version updates included
- Setup and operations documentation
- Direct support access - the team that builds it
- Standard Linux deployment package
FAQ
Which operating systems are supported?
Standard Linux targets are documented for each release. If you need a specific distribution validated, ask during license inquiry - we'll let you know what's possible.
Can it run on existing hardware?
Yes if specs meet documented minimums. We review CPU, RAM, and storage during presales so you know upfront whether your existing setup fits or needs adjustment.
How does the licensing model work?
Buy a perpetual license: that version is yours, no subscription required, no expiration. Add the optional update subscription if you want ongoing patches and feature releases. If you don't subscribe, your purchased version keeps working - what you bought stays yours.
Is the source code available?
Grace Mail Self-hosted is licensed as a program, not as source. You install and run it on your hardware. If your situation requires source access - for example, specific compliance or audit needs - talk to us about what's possible.
What support is available?
Documentation is included. License holders have direct access to the team that builds Grace Mail. Paid incident support is available for situations that benefit from a second pair of hands - deliverability investigations, queue troubleshooting, provider-specific issues.
How does it compare to other self-hosted mail solutions?
Privacy and security are where Grace Mail starts. TLS at every connection, AES-256 disk encryption, no content recognition, encrypted backups - all part of the product, not optional add-ons. Beyond that, Grace Mail is a single integrated program with deliverability tooling included, written and maintained by one team. There are good options in this space, and the right one depends on what you value.
What if deliverability needs investigation?
Deliverability situations come up - provider filtering changes, IP reputation shifts, content patterns that trigger flags. Paid incident support is available to trace authentication failures, queue backlogs, or provider-specific issues alongside your team.