Zimbra Collaboration is useful for small to medium organizations, such as educational institutes, schools, and universities. For big businesses and enterprises, I do not this it is as useful. There are some other useful solutions, such as Office 365 and Google Cloud which would be better suited.
IT Support Team Leader at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
Simple logging and tacking, good technical support, but lacking scalability
Pros and Cons
- "The logs, troubleshooting, and tracking we have found to be the most valuable features. We have any issues with lost messages the features are useful. It is very easy to track and log."
- "The logs, troubleshooting, and tracking we have found to be the most valuable features, and when we have any issues with lost messages these features are useful because it is very easy to track and log."
- "The installation is not straightforward, it can take two days for the full implementation."
- "The installation is not straightforward, it can take two days for the full implementation."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
The logs, troubleshooting, and tracking we have found to be the most valuable features. We have any issues with lost messages the features are useful. It is very easy to track and log.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Zimbra Collaboration for approximately 10 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Zimbra Collaboration has been stable.
Buyer's Guide
Zimbra Collaboration
April 2026
Learn what your peers think about Zimbra Collaboration. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2026.
893,221 professionals have used our research since 2012.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I have found Zimbra Collaboration to be scalable but could improve.
We have approximately 400 to 500 users that use this solution.
We do not have plans to increase usage.
How are customer service and support?
I have been satisfied with the technical support from Zimbra Collaboration.
How was the initial setup?
The installation is not straightforward, it can take two days for the full implementation.
What about the implementation team?
We used help from an integrator for the implementation.
We have approximately four administrators and engineers that support this solution.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We do not pay for licenses to use this solution.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution for small to medium-scale businesses.
I rate Zimbra Collaboration a seven out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Automatic backup with good web client features for an easily scalable, stable, installable and manageable solution
Pros and Cons
- "One of the most valuable features involves the solution's automatic backup, which I find to be pretty simple and straightforward, and obviates the need for additional software."
- "The product is very stable."
- "It would be great if a group chat feature were created to allow for a team environment."
- "It would be great if a group chat feature were created to allow for a team environment."
What is our primary use case?
While I believe that Zimbra nine is the latest update, I am working with eight.
The solution employs open source software.
I implement the solution so that our end user customers may have mailing features, one-on-one chat facilities and unified communication. Within one's email are contained his calendaring facilities.
What is most valuable?
One of the most valuable features involves the solution's automatic backup, which I find to be pretty simple and straightforward, and obviates the need for additional software. The web client features have good graphics and are pretty useful.
What needs improvement?
It would be great if a group chat feature were created to allow for a team environment. The current chatting facility only allows for one-to-one chats.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Zimbra Collaboration for nearly two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The product is very stable. One need only implement it, at which point it does not require further contemplation. Only basic maintenance is required.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is easy to scale. It boasts scalability features such as those allowing an additional server to be added for horizontal scaling.We have encountered no issues in this regard.
How are customer service and support?
We have not required much technical support, as the implementation we do primarily concerns the community edition with which we started. We feel the technical support to be good. They supply good email support. We do not require this at the moment.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Nearly two years back, I was working with Microsoft Exchange.
The advantage of Microsoft Exchange over Zimbra Collaboration is that it is very heavy and has much more features, but its management requires a person to have a greater level of skill. Microsoft is also a more mature solution.
When it comes to the licensing of Zimbra Collaboration, my license covers the servers and I find its terms to be much simpler than those of Microsoft Exchange. Microsoft has multiple requirements, such as one concerning the need for the best OS licenses. There are multiple products needed to get Microsoft Exchange to work, but there is also a standalone option available. The licensing of Zimbra Collaboration is better than that of Microsoft Exchange and it's more affordable.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is simple. As the implementation is pretty simple, a small organization can initially make use of the community edition and move on from there.
What about the implementation team?
The management of the solution is simple. Save for mailbox related issues, the maintenance of the solution is minimal. Issues are limited to comparatively minor ones and mainly would arise at the SMTP end.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
When it comes to the licensing of Zimbra Collaboration, my license covers the servers and I find its terms to be much simpler than those of Microsoft Exchange. Microsoft has multiple requirements, such as one concerning the need for the best OS licenses. There are multiple products needed to get Microsoft Exchange to work, but there is also a standalone option available. The licensing of Zimbra Collaboration is better than that of Microsoft Exchange and it's more affordable.
What other advice do I have?
The product is on the client side, so our company provides implementation and support services.
The solution is best suited for medium enterprises, although my organization supports mainly government organizations which range from medium to large.
I rate Zimbra Collaboration as an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Buyer's Guide
Zimbra Collaboration
April 2026
Learn what your peers think about Zimbra Collaboration. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2026.
893,221 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Technical Consultant at NDS
Has all collaboration features and very good stability and scalability
Pros and Cons
- "It has all collaboration features, such as document sharing, video conferencing, chatting, task sharing, and calendar sharing."
- "It has all collaboration features, such as document sharing, video conferencing, chatting, task sharing, and calendar sharing."
- "Zimbra should provide a desktop client. Right now, we are using a web browser for accessing our emails. There should also be a desktop client."
- "Zimbra should provide a desktop client. Right now, we are using a web browser for accessing our emails. There should also be a desktop client."
What is our primary use case?
We are using it as an email server and collaboration suite.
What is most valuable?
It has all collaboration features, such as document sharing, video conferencing, chatting, task sharing, and calendar sharing.
It is awesome in terms of stability and scalability.
What needs improvement?
Zimbra should provide a desktop client. Right now, we are using a web browser for accessing our emails. There should also be a desktop client.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for approximately nine years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Its stability is very good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Its scalability is very good. We have approximately 900 users. We have one person for its maintenance.
How are customer service and support?
Their technical support is good.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We migrated from IBM Lotus Domino.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We are using perpetual licenses. We have deployed it in our local data center, and we buy perpetual licenses on a per-user basis.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate Zimbra Collaboration an eight out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
IT Specialist at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Fast, reliable, and scalable
Pros and Cons
- "A lot of other products like Microsoft Exchange offer email or collaboration features, but they are not as fast as Zimbra."
- "I think Zimbra is more reliable and competitive than Microsoft because they offer an open-source version."
- "I can confidently say that Zimbra is good enough for 2,000 client users. But, at the same time, if my client needs more than that and we have two options—Zimbra or Microsoft—I'm going with Microsoft because many admins will speak to Microsoft's ability to handle that many."
- "I can confidently say that Zimbra is good enough for 2,000 client users, but at the same time, if my client needs more than that and we have two options—Zimbra or Microsoft—I'm going with Microsoft because many admins will speak to Microsoft's ability to handle that many."
What is most valuable?
Zimbra is open source. They got absorbed by Yahoo, but they're still primarily open-source and have continued to extend their technology. A lot of other products like Microsoft Exchange offer email or collaboration features, but they are not as fast as Zimbra. And with Exchange, it's not easy to purchase the license. And Zimbra is more reliable in terms of integration.
What needs improvement?
Yahoo acquired Zimbra, and Yahoo Mail is a web-based email, not a software platform. So as part of the acquisition, they have to continue providing support to the open-source license holders. But lately, they have decreased their support for the open-source community, and they're pivoting to the enterprise market. So they're starting to transition to a proprietary cloud-based solution. And when they adopt this proprietary solution, it won't be good. So hopefully, in the future, they'll continue to offer an open-source version. That's what makes Zimbra trustworthy for users as an email host. Email is still essential for communities and businesses. Even if you are currently using instant messaging or any communications tool, you still need email.
Maybe Zimbra can improve by implementing an architecture that mimics social media, like offering short messages instead of just email. Instant messaging can mean light messaging or group messaging, like a B2B chat or something like that.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've been using Zimbra for about four or five years.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Zimbra is roughly as scalable as Microsoft, but I haven't deployed Zimbra for any huge clients yet. For example, all of my clients have fewer than 2,000 users. So if they had more than 2,000, I couldn't say whether Zimbra could manage that or not. But I know that Microsoft can work with clients that serve 10,000-plus users.
So in my experience, I can confidently say that Zimbra is good enough for 2,000 client users. But, at the same time, if my client needs more than that and we have two options—Zimbra or Microsoft—I'm going with Microsoft because many admins will speak to Microsoft's ability to handle that many.
How was the initial setup?
It's easy for me because I have worked with Zimbra concepts since Yahoo acquired it in 2007, but I can't speak for the average users.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Zimbra Collaboration eight out of 10. It stacks up well compared to OWA or Microsoft Exchange. I've developed solutions for my clients using all of these. And compared to other web applications, I prefer the web-hosted Zimbra. I think Zimbra is more reliable and competitive than Microsoft because they offer an open-source version.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Manager Infrastructure at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees
Integrates well, informative documentation, but configuration could be easier
Pros and Cons
- "Zimbra Collaboration has integrated a lot of their party tools and they have good documentation available."
- "Zimbra Collaboration has integrated a lot of their party tools and they have good documentation available."
- "The solution could improve by making it easier to use."
- "The solution could improve by making it easier to use."
What is our primary use case?
Zimbra Collaboration can be used as an email server.
What is most valuable?
Zimbra Collaboration has integrated a lot of their party tools and they have good documentation available.
What needs improvement?
The solution could improve by making it easier to use.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Zimbra Collaboration for approximately six years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable. However, all the mailbox details are stored in MySQL or MongoDB. If it is an enterprise-level configuration, then we need to plan for the high availability. This is another challenge in Zimbra. If those things were fixed, then it will be really a good solution.
How are customer service and support?
Zimbra Collaboration has online support communities that are very good at providing detailed information.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have used Microsoft Exchange.
How was the initial setup?
The installation is not difficult. However, initially, management will be difficult but once you have used it for a while you will not find any challenges.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Zimbra Collaborationseven out of ten.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
System and Network Engineer at ADEX TECHNOLOGY
Great dashboard, a modern user interface, and excellent scalability
Pros and Cons
- "The stability is good and keeps getting better with each new update."
- "The pricing of the solution is excellent; it's a newer solution with a modern interface and dashboard, the interface itself is very responsive and easy to navigate, the initial setup is very simple and straightforward, the stability is good and keeps getting better with each new update, and the solution really does scale very easily."
- "The solution could use more integration with third-party tools."
- "The log files need to be improved; they need to show us more information because a lot of detail is lacking and that's not very helpful or insightful."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily install Zimbra Collaborations for the many customers that we have. It's primarily used for networking and collaboration.
What is most valuable?
The pricing of the solution is excellent.
It's a newer solution with a modern interface and dashboard.
The interface itself is very responsive and easy to navigate.
The initial setup is very simple and straightforward.
The stability is good and keeps getting better with each new update.
The pricing of the product is excellent.
The solution really does scale very easily.
Technical support is quite helpful.
What needs improvement?
We are simply a customer and an end-user. We don't have a business relationship with the organization.
The log files need to be improved. It needs to show us more information. Right now, a lot of detail is lacking and that's not very helpful or insightful.
The solution could use more integration with third-party tools. That would be very useful.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been working with the solution for two years at this point. It hasn't been too long.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is quite stable. In fact, its stability continues to grow with updates. It doesn't crash and freeze. there are no bugs or glitches. It's reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Zimbra is very, very scalable. We can start small and go from 20 accounts to very high numbers of additional accounts. It's quite easy to do. If a company needs to scale, it can do so very quickly.
How are customer service and technical support?
I've been in contact with technical support in the past and I find that they are quite good. They are helpful and responsive. they are knowledgeable about the product and they are helpful when we have queries. We are satisfied with their level of attention.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is quite straightforward and very simple. It's not overly complex or difficult. It shouldn't prove to be too much of a challenge.
What about the implementation team?
We install the solution for our customers.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution is very low cost. It's an open-source solution. It's not an expensive option.
What other advice do I have?
I'd recommend the solution to other organizations due to the fact that the solution very low-cost and it's an open-source option - which is very attractive to many companies. We installed it in a Linux system so that we can get more security on our platform.
I'd rate the solution at an eight out of ten. We are quite satisfied with the capabilities of the product.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
Technical Developer at a media company with 51-200 employees
Web interface powerful, easy to use, and stable
Pros and Cons
- "The web interface is powerful and easy to use."
- "The web interface is powerful and easy to use."
- "The support was lacking in my experience. However, recently the support I received was good. Perhaps they have improved."
- "The support was lacking in my experience."
What is our primary use case?
We are using the solution for inhouse emails.
What is most valuable?
The web interface is powerful and easy to use.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for a couple of years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
From what I have heard the solution is scalable. I have not had an experience with scaling it but I am aware of some very large companies that use it.
How are customer service and technical support?
The support was lacking in my experience. However, recently the support I received was good. Perhaps they have improved.
With the networking edition of the solution you receive
the full support options.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
If you choose the network edition, it is a little pricier. They have the open-source edition too which is only community supported.
What other advice do I have?
My advice is to try and make sure that the target environment is suited for the web interface because that is where most of its features are found.
I rate Zimbra Collaboration a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
CEO at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
We can control all the data in my IT infrastructure
Pros and Cons
- "We can control all the data in my IT infrastructure."
- "It is the best open source collaboration suite that I know, because it provides high availability and more performance than the other solutions."
- "File sharing permissions with Nextcloud integration need improvement."
- "File sharing permissions with Nextcloud integration need improvement."
What is our primary use case?
I work mainly with webmail. On the web, we have more than 10,000 accounts on our server
How has it helped my organization?
It is the best open source collaboration suite that I know, because it provides high availability and more performance than the other solutions.
We can control all the data in my IT infrastructure.
What is most valuable?
- Shared folders
- Mobile synchronization
- Admin tools
- Anti-spam tools
- Webmail is simple and powerful.
What needs improvement?
- Online documents edition
- File sharing permissions with Nextcloud integration
- More features for the open source edition
- Native HA for more virtualization platforms, like Proxmox
For how long have I used the solution?
More than five years.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. We are Zimbra VAR Partners and Zimbra developers.
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