Zimbra is #3 in Top 10 Email Servers

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#3 in Top 10 Email Servers

Alternatives

The best alternatives to Zimbra are: Microsoft Exchange, Outlook, iRedMail, GMail, Google Workspace, Zoho Mail, Postfix, mailcow

Latest news about Zimbra

2019. Email collaboration software Zimbra added own document editors


Zimbra Network Edition has introduced an integrated, feature-rich office productivity suite called Zimbra Docs. The remarkable aspect is that it is available for free, eliminating the need for a separate MS Office license. With Zimbra Docs, users can now effortlessly create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations directly within the Zimbra platform. It supports popular document formats such as xls, doc, ppt, and more. The suite includes various apps: Zimbra Writer for document editing, Zimbra Calc for spreadsheets, Zimbra Impress for presentations, and Zimbra Briefcase for converting and sharing files. At the core of this service is the Zimbra Docs server, which must be installed on dedicated nodes running RHEL 7 / CentOS 7, Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, or Ubuntu 18.04 LTS. In addition to its built-in office suite, Zimbra also offers integration with LibreOffice, providing users with another free office suite option.

2015. Synacor acquired Zimbra



The email and messaging software provider Zimbra, known for its open-source foundation, has been purchased by Synacor for a sum of $24.5 million. Synacor describes itself as a technology and monetization partner for video, internet, and communications providers, as well as device manufacturers and enterprises. According to Synacor officials, they intend to continue supporting the open-source version of Zimbra and provide technical assistance for Zimbra's Open Source Edition (OSE) through their value-added reseller (VAR) partners. Zimbra has previously been acquired by Telligent, VMware, and Yahoo. This recent acquisition comes shortly after the announcement that Verint has acquired Telligent (Zimbra Social) from Zimbra earlier in the week.


2010. VMware buying Zimbra from Yahoo



What does this deal signify? For Yahoo, it marks the end of their involvement in the Enterprise game. The company will now focus on its consumer portal and will not interfere with its new strategic partner, Microsoft (because Zimbra is an MS Exchange competitor). For VMWare, this represents another significant step towards reaching the elite status in the Cloud Computing market. VMWare, being the largest developer of virtualization systems used in public and private cloud platforms, has recently acquired Springsource to create its own web platform as an alternative to Google App Engine. By acquiring the widely popular open-source collaboration suite Zimbra, VMWare gains the opportunity to enter the Web applications market. The exact sale price has not been disclosed yet, but it is likely lower than the $350 million paid by Yahoo in 2006.


2009. Yahoo released Zimbra Desktop 1.0

Zimbra Desktop 1.0, an email and collaboration client, has transitioned from its beta phase and is now available for free download. Zimbra sets itself apart from Outlook and Gmail by offering users both online and offline email functionality. Acting as a centralized hub for email, contacts, and calendar information, Zimbra allows users to access Yahoo and Gmail contacts, calendars, and messages within its platform, along with POP or IMAP email from providers like AOL, Hotmail, or office accounts. Although syncing with certain third-party email and calendar services in Zimbra Desktop is still considered beta, such as Hotmail, Yahoo, and Google calendars, this release has expanded support for these integrations. A Zimbra representative clarified that these integrations are labeled beta as they rely on APIs not maintained by the Zimbra team.


2008. Zimbra Heads To The Cloud For Academic Institutions

Zimbra, the webmail and calendar company that was acquired by Yahoo in 2007, has introduced a new offering called Zimbra Hosted, specifically designed for academic institutions. This product enables schools to operate their webmail portals from the cloud, eliminating the need for on-site infrastructure or reliance on third-party hosting providers. By partnering with Zimbra and Yahoo, schools can now benefit from hassle-free server maintenance and operation. Zimbra is already serving more than 400 academic institutions, and earlier this year, it achieved a significant victory by being selected by Stanford as its email and calendar management system for students, surpassing competing services from Google and Microsoft Exchange. Zimbra's success can be attributed to its robust mobile support and enterprise-grade features.


2008. Yahoo Updates Calendar: Leverages Zimbra Technology

Yahoo has announced the closed beta launch of a major update to its online calendaring application, which will feature tighter integration with Yahoo Mail and other Yahoo services. The new calendar is built on the Zimbra platform, acquired by Yahoo in 2007, and supports iCalendar and CalDAV standards for interoperability with other calendaring services. Exciting new features include the ability to enhance calendars with Flickr photos, a built-in to-do list, and drag-and-drop support. Yahoo Calendar now also offers reminders via email, instant messaging, or SMS for important events. Furthermore, Yahoo is expanding sharing capabilities for groups to facilitate coordination. Initially, the new calendar will be available as a closed beta in select countries, with a gradual rollout planned for all Yahoo Mail users. Yahoo's VP for Yahoo Mail, John Kremer, emphasized the need for calendar redesign due to the increasing comfort and adoption of online calendaring and open standards. Yahoo aims to provide a cleaner, user-friendly interface with integrated features from Zimbra and plans to incorporate social aspects and content from other Yahoo properties in future updates. By leading the way in mainstream adoption of calendaring standards, Yahoo can shape the market and promote the use of open standards and online calendars.


2008. Yahoo Gives IMAP Access to All Users Through Zimbra Desktop

In recent news, Yahoo has announced that all free and paid Yahoo Mail users will now have access to their accounts offline through the Yahoo Zimbra Desktop. This marks the first time that all Yahoo users will have offline capabilities. The Zimbra Desktop, which operates on Windows, Mac, and Linux, utilizes the IMAP protocol, offering what many consider to be superior offline access compared to the previous POP access limited to paid Yahoo Plus accounts. Yahoo acquired Zimbra, an email and messaging company, in 2007, shortly after Zimbra introduced its offline features. The Zimbra Desktop is built on Mozilla Labs' Prism, similar to Google Gears, enabling offline access to web applications. In addition to Yahoo Mail, Zimbra supports other IMAP and POP accounts, as well as accounts hosted on Zimbra servers. While still in beta, the stability of the Zimbra Desktop is evident as it is now being released to all Yahoo users, with no crashes or major issues reported during testing. The Zimbra Blog outlines various updates and features, including built-in notifications and Windows-specific functionalities. However, the absence of calendar, task, file, and contact syncing limits the utility of the Zimbra Desktop. Critics may argue that Yahoo could have allowed users to use any email client for offline access without Zimbra. Nonetheless, this move provides Yahoo users with one option for offline email access and potentially justifies their investment in Zimbra.


2008. New Zimbra Version Utilizes iPhone’s Active Sync

With Apple expanding iPhone support for Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, and iWork to attract business users, Zimbra has seized the opportunity to enhance the iPhone's potential as a mobile business tool. As an open-source provider of email, calendar, and contact synchronization across devices, Zimbra has released optimized versions of its entire Zimbra Collaboration Suite, Network Edition Standard, and Professional for iPhone 2.0 software. By leveraging the new active sync capabilities, Zimbra aims to enhance business application usage on the iPhone. Additionally, Zimbra's iPhone optimization includes over-the-air synchronization of photos on mobile devices. While push-email is a well-known feature of smartphones, the added document support makes devices like the iPhone even more valuable for business purposes. By combining Apple's support with applications like Zimbra, the iPhone can better compete with established smartphones like the BlackBerry, especially if Apple aims to expand its dominance into the business sector.


2008. Zimbra Web e-mail goes mobile

Zimbra, a division of Yahoo, has unveiled a new version of its Web-based email client, ZimbraME (Java Mobile Edition), that is compatible with Java-enabled mobile phones and Apple's iPhone. Alongside the release, the company has made the source code of the product available. Users can also utilize the software in conjunction with the commercially-supported Zimbra Collaboration Suite 5.0, which was launched earlier in the year. By downloading the software on their Java-enabled phones, individuals can conveniently access email and utilize Zimbra's calendar functionality.


2008. Now Yahoo's, Zimbra takes mail and documents offline

Zimbra, the e-mail and collaboration software company acquired by Yahoo for $350 million, is staying on track with its game plan despite the potential Microsoft-Yahoo merger. Zimbra is launching a new version of its software that allows offline reading of emails and document creation from a web browser. The Zimbra Collaboration Suite 5.0 also introduces support for BlackBerry clients, Java 2 mobile-equipped phones, and integrated instant messaging. The company's focus remains unchanged, serving universities, businesses, and internet service providers with its server software. Zimbra aims to provide web-based alternatives to Microsoft Office and competes directly with the software giant in the university and business markets. Yahoo is incorporating Zimbra's technology into its consumer web offerings, with plans to integrate Zimbra's calendar application into Yahoo Mail. Zimbra's Desktop application, which enables the creation and sharing of text documents and embedded spreadsheets, now offers offline capabilities. Zimbra provides both an open-source version of its server software and a commercial edition for higher-end users. Despite the potential Microsoft-Yahoo merger, Zimbra's plans and objectives remain unaffected.


2008. MicroHoo: Welcome to Open Source, Microsoft

While much of the focus on Microsoft's bid to acquire Yahoo! has revolved around competition with Google in the online advertising market, the deal would also position Microsoft in the open-source software arena. Yahoo! has a strong presence in open-source software, running its own site on FreeBSD and offering open-source apps through its Zimbra division. Microsoft, as the corporate parent, would have to abandon its long-standing aversion to open source due to Yahoo!'s deep involvement in the open-source community. Yahoo! has a history of embracing open-source technologies and attracting developers through APIs and community-driven initiatives. The company's leadership in widgets and its support for various programming languages and cross-platform applications would compel Microsoft to adopt a more open and collaborative development approach. This union would provide Microsoft with expertise in user-driven content creation and the ability to build powerful communities. While Microsoft has traditionally been skeptical of open source, acquiring Yahoo! would necessitate a more open-minded approach, benefiting the industry as a whole.


2007. Yahoo buys e-mail software firm Zimbra

Yahoo has announced its acquisition of e-mail software provider Zimbra for approximately $350 million. Zimbra offers customized e-mail services with added features like calendars, mobile integration, and offline functionality. With over 200 partners, including Comcast, Zimbra provides branded e-mail services to around 9 million subscribers. One of Zimbra's unique offerings is the "Zimlet," which enables web service mashups for enhanced e-mail functionality. For example, users can hover over flight information in an e-mail to instantly check the flight status or track FedEx deliveries. This acquisition, along with Yahoo's recent $300 million purchase of display ad provider Blue Lithium, signals the company's strategic direction as it redefines its position in the market. According to Brad Garlinghouse, Senior Vice President for Communications and Communities at Yahoo, these acquisitions demonstrate Yahoo's commitment to areas they consider core strengths. The completion of the Zimbra acquisition is expected by the end of the year.


2007. Zimbra: Google Apps Not Ready for the Enterprise

Today, it was announced that Capgemini, a consulting and outsourcing service, will offer Google Apps for enterprise use in a non-exclusive deal. Companies can access the Google Apps Premier Edition, including Google Docs, Spreadsheets, Gmail, Calendar, Google Talk, Page Creator, Start Page, administrative tools, APIs, 24/7 tech support, and a guaranteed 99.9% uptime for Gmail, for approximately $50 per user per year. However, it is important to note the current limitations of Google Apps, particularly regarding offline capabilities. Zimbra, a web-based email alternative and competitor to Google Apps, highlights these limitations and positions itself as a solution that can be hosted or deployed on-site, providing offline access and greater flexibility across platforms for employees. Zimbra emphasizes the advantages of its Web 2.0 messaging and collaboration platform, such as compliance archiving, the ability to use it online or offline with AJAX functionality, and access from various desktop, web, or mobile clients. Zimbra, along with Microsoft, is aiming to capitalize on the Google Apps hype.


2007. Zimbra Desktop Version 0.5 Now Available for Download

Zimbra, the web-based email client, has been diligently working on its Zimbra Desktop tool, which offers an offline, AJAX-based option for Zimbra service users. The latest version of this tool is now available for download on Linux, Mac, and Windows platforms, although Windows users are required to re-sync. A noteworthy addition in the recent release of Zimbra Desktop is the offline access for calendars. Furthermore, there have been enhancements to the batch message syncing tool, resulting in faster synchronization of mailbox changes from the server to the user interface. Zimbra Desktop now closely resembles the web-based tools, ensuring a seamless transition from offline to online usage. The search functionality has been improved, and the mail inbox now self-organizes in a more efficient manner. On a related note, Zimbra has also introduced an optimized version for iPhone users.


2007. Zimbra Optimized for Your iPhone

Zimbra, the web-based email client, is joining the trend of optimizing services for the iPhone with its latest release. This upcoming version will be included as a standard feature in the Beta 3 ZCS 5.0 release scheduled for this autumn. While Zimbra is already accessible on the iPhone like most web applications, the newly developed mobile web client specifically designed for the iPhone is fully compliant with standards and built on a JSP tag library, allowing users to customize the Zimbra user interface according to their needs. With this optimized client, users can effortlessly access their email, address books, and calendars on their mobile device without relying on iSync or Outlook connectors. By simply pointing their iPhones to the Zimbra Server via Safari, users can enjoy the enhanced functionality. Other notable applications that have recently undergone iPhone optimization include Digg, TeleMoose, Meebo, Jaiku, and Zoho.


2007. Comcast picks Zimbra for online e-mail

Comcast, the broadband and cable TV company, has partnered with open-source software company Zimbra to power its new service called SmartZone, which offers subscribers email and other online services. Zimbra's software provides a web-based interface for email, calendars, contact lists, and instant messaging. SmartZone is specifically designed for "triple play" customers who subscribe to Comcast's TV, internet, and phone services and is expected to launch later this year. The collaboration also involves contact-organizing company Plaxo, which will supply software for address book synchronization and management, and Hewlett-Packard, responsible for building and operating Comcast's service. Additional partners include Bizanga for protection against email abuse, Cloudmark for spam screening and phishing prevention, and Trend Micro for antivirus software. While Zimbra primarily sells its software to companies as an alternative to Microsoft Exchange, it also targets internet service providers. The Comcast deal holds significant potential for Zimbra, which bases its software sales on the number of mailboxes created by customers. With over 6 million paid mailboxes to date, Zimbra is optimistic about the size and impact of the Comcast collaboration. This partnership serves as an endorsement for the relatively young and small company, Zimbra, founded in 2004 and employing approximately 100 people, the majority of whom are developers. The specific terms of the agreement between Comcast and Zimbra have not been disclosed. The SmartZone communications center will be accessible to over 12 million Comcast internet access customers and users of Comcast's Digital Voice phone service, according to Comcast's statement.


2007. Zimbra to offer Ubuntu Linux support

In response to customer demand, Zimbra has developed a version of its open-source calendar and email server software specifically for Canonical's Ubuntu Linux. Zimbra offers two versions of its server software: the free Open-Source Edition and the certified, supported Network Edition for paying customers. Previously, the Network Edition was available only for Red Hat's Linux, Novell's Suse Linux, and Mac OS X, but now Ubuntu has been added to the list. Zimbra CEO Satish Dharmaraj expressed that Ubuntu is gaining traction in the business sector, with significant popularity for both the free and beta versions of Zimbra's software on the platform. The partnership between Zimbra and Ubuntu signifies the collaboration between two proponents of open-source software in their effort to establish a profitable business model. Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, recognizes the importance of partnerships with software and hardware companies for success in the open-source market. While collaborations with established server software companies like Oracle and SAP are essential, working with other open-source companies is often easier and more conducive to innovation and growth. Zimbra's server software, which competes primarily with Microsoft Exchange, offers a Java-based solution for email, calendars, and contact lists. Users can access it through a web browser interface or through compatible email software such as Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird. Zimbra has also released software that allows users to work offline using a web browser and a Java-based microserver that synchronizes data when network access is restored. Ubuntu's desktop version, if popular enough, may switch from its current default email client, Evolution, to Zimbra's client.


2007. Start-up Zimbra takes Web e-mail offline

Zimbra, an e-mail software company, has introduced an early version of Zimbra Desktop, a web-based e-mail software that can be used both online and offline. The company has developed an open-source alternative to existing mail servers and clients like Microsoft Exchange and Outlook. Utilizing Ajax, a web development technique compatible with different browsers and operating systems, Zimbra Desktop requires users to download software for synchronization with a Zimbra server. The current alpha version includes the Apache Derby database as a local e-mail store, but future versions will eliminate the need for manual downloads. The upcoming beta version, expected in the summer, will work with POP and IMAP e-mail servers and provide access to the company's calendaring server. Zimbra aims to deliver an Outlook-like experience and plans to incorporate offline capabilities in its 5.0 product release. The CEO, Satish Dharmaraj, will showcase Zimbra Desktop at the O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference, highlighting the company's commitment to bringing innovation to the desktop. Other web development technologies that bridge the gap between desktop and web applications, such as Adobe Systems' Apollo and Joyent's Slingshot, are also gaining attention in the industry.


2006. Zimbra to add instant messaging to Web mail

According to Zimbra's CEO, the company plans to add integrated instant messaging to its Web-based email and calendaring software next year. Zimbra, known for its open-source software, will also release an "offline client" in December, allowing users to access the software without an internet connection. Using AJAX web development, Zimbra offers an interactive front end with features like drag and drop functionality. The company has also developed "Zimlets," which connect to other applications, such as displaying Google Maps location within an email. Zimbra's focus for next year includes adding "presence" through integrated instant messaging and further developing the offline client. The company currently serves 4.5 million users, primarily through partnerships with ISPs, and has found success in the education market as well. Zimbra believes that web-based applications offer greater advantages and flexibility compared to desktop apps, despite some limitations.


2005. Zimbra readies open-source business e-mail

Zimbra has unveiled its messaging and calendaring software, specifically catering to businesses. With an open-source business model and leveraging the modern Ajax development technique, the startup aims to disrupt established messaging providers like IBM and Microsoft. Zimbra offers its web-based messaging product for free under an open-source license, while generating revenue by charging corporate customers for a more feature-rich "Network" version through a license fee, accompanied by an annual support fee based on the number of mailboxes utilized. The Network edition boasts administration-friendly features, including streamlined backup tools, support for clustered servers, and storage utilities for managing end-user mailbox accounts.