2

[This question might be against SO guidelines - too vague - too subjective. I have however failed to find an answer]

Like this: Dovecot vs Courier vs Cyrus

What is the difference between Postfix, Dovecot, Courier? Many tutorials require all three for a working email server stack, but wikipedia:

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Comparison_of_mail_servers

Seems to state that they all perform a similar function (Especially courier and dovecot).

EDIT:

Is Dovecot required for mail server like Exim or Postfix?

Clears things between postfix and dovecot (But not why courier is also suggested for various configurations.

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

It's a misconception between MTAs like postfix, sendmail, exim vs mail servers where a client accesses emails stored by the above over common client protocols like imap or Pop3.

You dovecot like others only expose the email stored locally by an MTA to clients for download or sync, in short you need both.

Something else to consider is zimbra and open365 which are email platforms, which also use postfix under the hood for queuing and delivery with 3rd party mail systems.

Improve this answer
3
  • Thank you! Is it safe to say that Dovecot is only a POP3/IMAP frontend, Postfix is an SMTP server/MTA ? What about courier? Where would it be used?
    – GCon
    May 29, 2016 at 13:05
  • Instead of dovecot usually
    – Jacob Evans
    May 29, 2016 at 13:05
  • Try zimbra open-source, very easy and supported by vmware
    – Jacob Evans
    May 29, 2016 at 13:06

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .