Hosted Exchange alternative
Hosted Exchange without running Exchange.
Those looking for Hosted Exchange usually want a mailbox with calendar, contacts and smartphone sync that someone else runs. Conbool Mail delivers that from Germany, with its own mailbox service instead of Microsoft Exchange.
Overview
Three ways to a mailbox.
Hosted Exchange, Exchange Online and Conbool Mail solve the same task in different ways.
At a hoster
Hosted Exchange
A hoster runs Microsoft Exchange Server and rents out mailboxes. You get the full Exchange feature set, but are tied to the hoster's Exchange version.
At Microsoft
Exchange Online
Microsoft runs Exchange itself as part of Microsoft 365. Mailboxes live in Microsoft data centres and are licensed per mailbox in plans.
At Conbool
Conbool Mail
Its own mailbox service with open protocols, run in Germany or in your own data centre. The plans match Exchange Online Kiosk, Plan 1 and Plan 2 in scope.
Clients
How each client connects.
The most important difference is Outlook for Windows. Everything else works the same or equivalently.
| Client | Hosted Exchange | Conbool Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Outlook for Windows | MAPI: email, calendar, contacts | IMAP: email. Calendar in webmail |
| Apple Mail and Calendar | Exchange account | IMAP, CalDAV and CardDAV |
| Thunderbird | IMAP | IMAP, CalDAV and CardDAV |
| iPhone and Android | Exchange ActiveSync | Exchange ActiveSync |
| Browser | Outlook on the web | Webmail with second factor |
| Public folders | Available | Shared mailboxes instead of public folders |
Hosted Exchange here means a hosted Microsoft Exchange. Individual providers may differ in scope.
Prices and comparisons
One price per mailbox.
Kiosk €1.29, Plan 1 €2.99 and Plan 2 €5.49 per mailbox per month, net. Shared mailboxes, distribution lists and rooms are free.
Questions about Hosted Exchange
What is Hosted Exchange?
Hosted Exchange is a Microsoft Exchange Server run by a provider who rents out its mailboxes. You use Exchange without running a server yourself.
Is Conbool Mail a Hosted Exchange?
No. Conbool Mail is its own mailbox service with IMAP, SMTP, Exchange ActiveSync, CalDAV and CardDAV. It covers the same task but is not Microsoft Exchange.
What is the difference between Hosted Exchange and Exchange Online?
With Hosted Exchange a hoster runs an Exchange Server for you. Exchange Online is run by Microsoft itself, as part of Microsoft 365 and always in the current version.
Is there Hosted Exchange from Germany?
Yes, several hosters offer it. If what you mainly want is operation in Germany and Exchange itself is not a must, Conbool Mail is an option too: mailboxes in data centres in Germany, contracting party in Hamburg.
What does the Hosted Exchange alternative cost?
Conbool Mail costs €1.29 for Kiosk, €2.99 for Plan 1 and €5.49 for Plan 2 per mailbox per month, net.
Have the mailbox run for you, in Germany.
We show you Conbool Mail and prepare the quote for your mailboxes.
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