TurboMTA: a self-hosted mail server you buy once and we set up for you
TurboMTA is a self-hosted Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) written in Go, with a native REST API and a real-time dashboard. It runs on Linux or Windows, you pay once per PC or server, and we set it up on your VPS for free. It is a practical alternative to PowerMTA for permission-based sending.
- Windows & Linux
- One-time licence
- Free SSH setup
- REST API + dashboard
- Permission-based sending
Everything you need to run your own mail server
The capabilities teams look for in a PowerMTA-class MTA, in one product with a dashboard, an API and setup help.
SMTP and REST API
Inject mail over SMTP (ports 25, 587 and 465 with SMTP AUTH and STARTTLS) or through the native REST API.
Real-time dashboard
Watch queue, delivery and bounce state live in your browser instead of tailing logs.
DKIM signing
RSA-2048 keys with multiple selectors per domain, plus guidance for SPF, DMARC and reverse DNS (PTR).
IP pools and rotation
VirtualMTA pools with round-robin or weighted rotation across IP addresses you own or rent.
Rate limits and backoff
Per-domain rate limits and exponential backoff on bounces help protect your sending reputation.
Crash-safe queue
A Redis-backed hot queue with persistent storage, so queued mail survives restarts.
Linux and Windows
Linux with systemd and DEB/RPM packages, or a Windows build. One licence covers one PC or server.
Secure by default
Authentication is required by default, which prevents open-relay abuse out of the box.
Free setup on your VPS
Share SSH access through a ticket and we configure mail, a sending policy for your provider's limits and your DNS records.
How TurboMTA compares
| TurboMTA | KumoMTA | Postal | Haraka | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licence model | Commercial, one-time licence per PC/server | Open source (check its repository for the licence) | Open source (MIT) | Open source (MIT) |
| Written in | Go | Rust, with Lua policy | Ruby | Node.js |
| Best fit | Small and mid senders who want a dashboard, an API and setup help | Teams comfortable writing policy in Lua | An all-in-one mail platform with a web UI | Custom SMTP logic through plugins |
| Setup help | Free SSH setup with purchase | Community, optional paid support | Community | Community |
| Maturity | Young product | Newer, actively developed | Established | Established |
Dated, public facts only (as of 26 October 2026). TurboMTA is the newer product; we publish no speed or deliverability claims we have not measured.
One payment. Lifetime licence.
One licence covers one PC or server. There is no per-message fee and no yearly licence renewal. Optional Annual Support and Updates is $149 per year.
- TurboMTA for Linux: $249 one-time. One-time licence for 1 PC / server
- TurboMTA for Windows: $249 one-time. One-time licence for 1 PC / server
- TurboMTA Bundle (Linux + Windows): $299 one-time. One Linux and one Windows licence
From purchase to sending
- Choose Linux, Windows or the bundle and check out.
- Your licence key is created automatically once payment is confirmed and appears in your account.
- Open a free setup ticket and share SSH access, or install it yourself.
- We configure TurboMTA and your sending policy; you send by SMTP or the REST API.
Who uses a self-hosted MTA
Agencies and consultants
Per-client IP pools and DKIM per domain, with a REST API for client portals.
SaaS and app senders
Transactional and notification mail from your own IPs at a predictable cost.
VPS owners and sysadmins
A dashboard and setup help instead of hand-tuning Postfix or Exim.
Teams leaving per-message pricing
Pay once and send within your provider's limits and your reputation.
What you need
A VPS or PC with a public IP, outbound port 25 open at your provider, and a domain you control. We recommend at least 2 GB of RAM. Port 25 is blocked by default at many providers; see our guide on getting it unblocked.
Built for permission-based sending
TurboMTA is infrastructure for transactional mail, newsletters to subscribers, notifications and opt-in marketing. Our acceptable-use policy prohibits spam, purchased or scraped lists, phishing and abuse. We make no deliverability or inbox-placement guarantee: results depend on your lists, content and IP reputation.
Frequently asked questions
What is TurboMTA?
TurboMTA is a self-hosted Mail Transfer Agent written in Go. It accepts mail over SMTP or a REST API, queues it in Redis, signs it with DKIM and delivers it from your own IP addresses, with a real-time dashboard. You run it on your own VPS or PC.
Is TurboMTA an alternative to PowerMTA?
It is an independent product that covers similar ground: SMTP delivery, virtual MTAs and IP pools, DKIM signing and per-domain rate limits. It is not affiliated with PowerMTA or Bird. PowerMTA is far more established; TurboMTA is newer, and we say so on our comparison page.
How much does TurboMTA cost?
A single one-time payment per licence: $249 for Linux, $249 for Windows, or $299 for the Linux + Windows bundle. There is no per-message fee and no yearly renewal for the licence. One licence covers one PC or server.
What does the free setup include?
Give us SSH access to your VPS and we install and configure TurboMTA for you: mail configuration, a sending policy that respects your VPS provider's limits, and the DNS records you need (handled through a support ticket for your domain). You can also configure everything yourself.
Which operating systems are supported?
Linux and Windows. Each purchase is for one operating system and one PC or server, or choose the bundle for both.
Why is port 25 blocked and what can I do?
Many VPS providers block outbound port 25 by default to limit abuse. Ask your provider to unblock it, or choose a provider that allows it. We cannot unblock it for you, but we will tell you what to ask for and set a sending policy that fits the limits your provider gives you.
Can I use it for bulk or marketing email?
Only for recipients who have a lawful basis or have consented, with working unsubscribe handling and honest headers. Spam, purchased or scraped lists, phishing and other abuse are prohibited and end your access to support. See the acceptable-use policy.