SnappyMail: Lightweight Webmail That Respects Your Server (and Time)
SnappyMail is what happens when someone takes Roundcube’s legacy and asks, “How can we make this actually fast?” No database. No unnecessary dependencies. Just a clean, minimal webmail client that works — and works quickly — right out of the box.
It doesn’t try to be a full groupware platform. No calendars, no bloat. Just mail — fast, responsive, and respectful of server resources. For people running their own mail stack, SnappyMail is often the missing piece that makes webmail feel modern again.
What Makes It Stand Out
| Feature | Why It Matters |
| No database required | Just plain files — install and run instantly |
| IMAP/SMTP support | Works with any standard mail server |
| Modern UI | Clean interface with fast loading and good mobile support |
| Client-side encryption | Optionally encrypt/decrypt mail in-browser using OpenPGP |
| Multilingual | Includes over 35 language packs |
| Self-contained app | One PHP app folder — easy to deploy and update |
| Built-in search | Fast search across folders with caching |
| Privacy-focused | No analytics, trackers, or external calls |
Who Uses SnappyMail?
– Mail server admins replacing Roundcube with something leaner
– Home server users who want a fast webmail without setting up a database
– Organizations running Dovecot/Postfix stacks and need a solid UI
– Developers who want full control and no surprise cloud dependencies
– Privacy-first users hosting their own email and needing PGP support
Requirements
| Item | Details |
| Web server | Apache, NGINX, or anything that runs PHP |
| PHP | 7.3+ recommended (supports 8.x) |
| IMAP/SMTP backend | Works with Dovecot/Postfix or any mail provider |
| No database needed | All settings and cache stored as flat files |
Install in 3 Minutes (Really)
1. Download and unzip:
wget https://github.com/the-djmaze/snappymail/archive/master.zip
unzip master.zip
mv snappymail-master snappymail
2. Move it to your web root:
sudo mv snappymail /var/www/html/
3. Adjust permissions and open in browser:
http://your-server/snappymail
Initial config is handled via the browser GUI. Admin password setup is first thing you’ll do.
Real-World Feedback
“Replaced Roundcube with SnappyMail — users noticed the speed boost immediately.”
“It’s the only webmail I’ve tried that doesn’t feel heavy even on older VPSs.”
“Set it up behind NGINX with Let’s Encrypt. Took less than 10 minutes, including DNS.”
Things to Keep in Mind
You’re managing the config via files or the admin UI — no backend DB
IMAP must be correctly set up on the server (SnappyMail doesn’t fix bad mail stacks)
It focuses on simplicity — don’t expect plugins or groupware features
If what you need is a modern webmail UI that stays out of the way, SnappyMail is one of the cleanest open-source options available today.
