Colanode

Self-Hosted

Open-source groupware for unified team collaboration and data privacy

Overview

Colanode is an open-source self-hosted groupware platform that integrates core collaboration tools—email, calendar, contacts, tasks, file management, and instant messaging—in one place. Designed for small to medium teams, it prioritizes data ownership and privacy, letting you host all team data on your own server. Deployment is simplified via Docker, and it supports standard protocols like IMAP, CalDAV, and CardDAV for compatibility with existing tools. With role-based access control and end-to-end encryption for sensitive data, Colanode reduces reliance on third-party SaaS while streamlining workflow.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  colanode:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: colanode
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Unified suite: Email, calendar, tasks, files, and IM
Self-hosted with Docker for easy deployment
Standard protocol support (IMAP, CalDAV, CardDAV)
Role-based access control and encryption

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Colanode hard to install?

Colanode uses Docker for deployment, making installation straightforward for users with basic Docker knowledge. You can set it up with a few commands, though ongoing server maintenance (like updates) requires some technical expertise.

? Is it a good alternative to Google Workspace?

Yes—Colanode offers core collaboration tools similar to Google Workspace but as a self-hosted option, giving you full control over your data. It lacks some advanced features like real-time document editing, but it’s ideal for teams prioritizing privacy over SaaS convenience.

? Is Colanode completely free?

Colanode is 100% free and open-source. There are no hidden costs—you only need to cover the expenses of your server infrastructure to host it.

Top Alternatives

Microsoft 365 Search Google

Google Workspace Search Google

Zoho Workplace Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Groupware

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Full data ownership and privacy compliance
⊕ No subscription fees or licensing costs
⊕ Integrated tools eliminate tool switching
⊕ Customizable via open-source codebase

Cons

⊖ Requires server maintenance and technical setup
⊖ Limited third-party integrations compared to SaaS groupware
⊖ Smaller user community for support than mainstream tools