Mail server hosting
Answer
Self-hosted mail requires an address with clean sending reputation, matching reverse DNS, and SPF, DKIM and DMARC correctly configured. Incognito VPS allocates from verified sending pools on request, provides self-service rDNS, and opens port 25 after a short conversation about your use case.
| Scenario | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Postfix + Dovecot | 2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM |
| Mailcow (full stack) | 4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, 60 GB |
| Stalwart | 2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM |
| Mandatory | rDNS, SPF, DKIM, DMARC |
The hard part is reputation, not software
Installing a mail server is a weekend. Getting mail delivered to Gmail is the actual project. The large mailbox providers weight sender reputation heavily, and a new address on a range they do not recognise starts from a position of suspicion.
Ask us before you buy. We will allocate from a pool with verified sending history rather than let you discover the problem after your first hundred messages land in spam. Amsterdam and Zürich are the strongest; Moldova and Russia are the weakest and we will tell you so rather than sell you a server that will not work.
The four things that are non-negotiable
Reverse DNS matching your mail hostname — self-service on our panel, applies instantly. SPF listing your sending address. DKIM signing on outbound. DMARC with a policy and a reporting address.
Miss any one and delivery degrades sharply. Get all four right and a clean address will reach the inbox at the major providers within a few weeks of consistent, low-volume sending.
- PTR record matching the HELO hostname exactly
- SPF record listing the sending address, with a ~all or -all qualifier
- DKIM key published in DNS and signing all outbound mail
- DMARC policy with rua reporting enabled
- TLS on 25, 465 and 587 with a valid certificate
- Postmaster and abuse addresses that a human reads
Port 25 and why we ask
Port 25 is closed by default on new servers, as it is at every reputable provider, because open 25 on a fresh address is how spam operations start. Ask on the contact page, describe what you are sending, and we open it — usually within a couple of hours.
This is not a hurdle designed to discourage you. It is the mechanism that keeps our ranges deliverable for everyone sending from them, including you.
Frequently asked questions
01 Is port 25 open?
Closed by default, opened on request after a short conversation about your use case. Usually within a couple of hours. This is what keeps our ranges deliverable.
02 Can I set reverse DNS?
Yes, self-service and instant for every address on your account. A PTR matching your mail hostname is mandatory for delivery to the large providers.
03 Which location is best for mail?
Amsterdam and Zürich have the strongest outbound reputation. Iceland is also good. Moldova and Russia are the weakest — usable, but expect more friction.
04 Will my mail reach Gmail?
With a clean address, matching rDNS, SPF, DKIM and DMARC, and a sensible sending volume ramp — yes, generally within a few weeks. Nobody can promise this, and any host that does is not being straight with you.
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