Nextcloud welcomes open source webmail software Roundcube to its platform

Nextcloud recently announced that Roundcube, the open source webmail software, will be joining its platform. Roundcube is a multilingual IMAP client featuring an application-like user interface, MIME support, an address book, folders, message search and spell checking. It also offers robust security measures including PGP, XSS resistance, and brute force protection.

Frank Karlitschek, Founder of Nextcloud, emphasized the significance of this merger. He stated, “The merger not only underscores the collective strength of the open source community but also highlights our enduring commitment to privacy, security, and user empowerment.”

The roadmap for the upcoming year involves adapting and advancing Roundcube to serve a broader user base. This will require ongoing investment to expedite and supervise the development process, aligning with the shared vision of both projects.

Thomas Brüderli, Roundcube founder, added that “Both projects share the same ideology about the role and importance of free software as an independent alternative to the big cloud services.”

In the short term, the plan is to stimulate Roundcube's development by hiring new team members. However, there are no plans for a direct merger between Roundcube and Nextcloud. Neither will Roundcube replace Nextcloud Mail, or vice versa.

Nextcloud Mail will continue to evolve independently, with a focus on seamless usage within Nextcloud. Meanwhile, Roundcube will persist in serving its existing and new users as a standalone secure mail client.