Zimbra vs Hosted Exchange
Some of the key reasons organisations have chosen Zimbra are...
- The powerful Zimbra web browser experience (and off-line Zimbra desktop capability!)
- Native Mac mail support and synchronisation (Linux support too)
- Cost-effective, larger mailboxes (scalable as required)
- Lower cost – No need for Microsoft products and licenses to support Zimbra
- Works with the iPhone, ActiveSync, and Blackberry. Plus additional features and security.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Zimbra Hosting | Exchange Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Use your own domain name | Yes | Yes |
| Domain Admin / User set up & management | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum quota (GB/mailbox) |
Unlimited (extra cost for more GB/month) |
Depends on provider |
| Secure chat (xmpp, stored) | Yes | No |
| Task list sharing | Yes | Yes |
| File sharing | Yes | No |
| Document sharing and versioning | Yes | No |
| Email folder sharing | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone webmail, calendar and contact support | Yes | No |
| Contact sharing | Yes | Yes |
| Calendar sharing | Yes | Yes |
| Data Portability (moving your data to another solution) | Open-standards based | Limited. Proprietary |
| Native support for Mac,Windows & Linux users | Yes. Business hosting | No |
| Wiki / Document Sharing | Yes. Business hosting | No |
| Global Address List (GAL) - Company Address Book | Included | Included |
| Free/busy checking for group calendaring | Included | Included |
| Resources (IE: conference rooms, projectors) | Yes | Yes |
| Server-side Anti-Spam/Anti-Virus | Optional | Depends on provider |
| Desktop Sync Support (Outlook, Mail.app, iCal, etc.) | Included | Outlook only |
| Blackberry OTA sync (email, calendar, contacts) | Optional | Optional |
| Built-in Archiving & Discovery (SOX) Solution | Optional. | No |
| Windows Mobile & Palm sync (email, calendar, contacts) | Optional | Optional |
| Web 2.0 Mash-up framework (Zimlets) | Included | No |
| Web Identities | Included | No |
| External POP & IMAP |
Yes (IMAP too, Version 5) |
Yes |
| Distribution Lists (mailing lists) | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Aliases | Unlimited | 10 |
| Email auto-responders | User configurable | Yes |
| Private event option in calendars | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard/navigation web short-cuts | Yes | No |
| WebDav compliant file sharing (desktop & web!) | Yes | No |
| Fast online search - including attachments! | Yes | No |
| CalDav compliant calendaring | Yes | No |
| Cost | From £6.00*/month | Typically £9.99/month |
*When paying annually
In almost all areas Zimbra comes out on top when compared to Microsoft Hosted Exchange. It's no wonder a huge and growing number are adopting Zimbra as their trusted e-Mail platform.
"At last, an email collaboration suite which truly reflects where technology is going."
- Nick Bloor, SEM Expert
