# Proxmox Mail Gateway

> e-mail server management software

**Wikidata**: [Q108039788](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108039788)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/proxmox-mail-gateway

## Summary
Proxmox Mail Gateway (PMG) is a free, open-source email server management software built on Linux, designed to filter spam, detect viruses, and manage mail traffic. It is part of the Proxmox ecosystem, which includes server virtualization solutions, and is distributed under terms that allow users to run, modify, and redistribute it freely.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Free software, mail server, and Linux distribution.
- **Parent Project**: Part of Proxmox, specifically related to Proxmox Virtual Environment (a Linux distribution for server virtualization, launched in 2008).
- **Versions**:
  - **7.3**: Stable version released on March 28, 2023.
  - **8.0**: Stable version released on June 29, 2023, based on Debian 12 "Bookworm."
  - **8.1**: Stable version released on February 29, 2024, featuring an enhanced rule system.
  - **8.2**: Stable version released on February 27, 2025.
  - **9.0**: Latest stable version (preferred), released on October 1, 2025, based on Debian 13 "Trixie."
- **Aliases**: Commonly referred to as PMG.
- **Source Code**: Hosted at [Proxmox Git repository](https://git.proxmox.com/?p=proxmox-mailgateway.git) (Gitweb).
- **Website**: [https://pmg.proxmox.com](https://pmg.proxmox.com) (English).
- **Copyright Status**: Copyrighted but distributed as free software.
- **Related Classes**:
  - Free software: Allows users to run, study, modify, and distribute the software.
  - Linux distribution: Built on the Linux kernel and GNU components.

## FAQs

### What is Proxmox Mail Gateway used for?
Proxmox Mail Gateway is designed to manage email servers by filtering spam, detecting viruses, and routing mail traffic efficiently. It integrates with existing mail servers to enhance security and reliability.

### Is Proxmox Mail Gateway free to use?
Yes, it is free software, meaning users can run, study, modify, and distribute it under open-source terms. However, it remains copyrighted by its developers.

### What versions of Proxmox Mail Gateway are available?
As of 2025, the latest stable version is **9.0**, released on October 1, 2025, based on Debian 13 "Trixie." Previous versions include 8.2 (February 2025), 8.1 (February 2024), 8.0 (June 2023), and 7.3 (March 2023).

### How is Proxmox Mail Gateway related to Proxmox Virtual Environment?
Both are part of the Proxmox ecosystem. Proxmox Virtual Environment is a Linux distribution for server virtualization (launched in 2008), while PMG focuses specifically on email server management.

### Where can I find the source code for Proxmox Mail Gateway?
The source code is publicly available in a Git repository: [https://git.proxmox.com/?p=proxmox-mailgateway.git](https://git.proxmox.com/?p=proxmox-mailgateway.git).

## Why It Matters
Proxmox Mail Gateway addresses critical challenges in email security and management, providing organizations with a cost-effective, open-source solution to combat spam, malware, and unauthorized mail traffic. By integrating seamlessly with existing mail servers, it enhances infrastructure reliability without vendor lock-in. Its alignment with the broader Proxmox ecosystem (including virtualization tools) makes it a versatile choice for IT administrators seeking unified server management solutions. The project’s commitment to free software principles also fosters transparency and community-driven improvements, ensuring long-term adaptability in an evolving threat landscape.

## Notable For
- **Open-Source Flexibility**: Distributed as free software, allowing full customization and redistribution.
- **Debian-Based Stability**: Recent versions (8.0+) are built on Debian releases (e.g., "Bookworm," "Trixie"), ensuring compatibility and security updates.
- **Enhanced Rule System**: Version 8.1 introduced advanced rule-based filtering for finer control over mail traffic.
- **Proxmox Ecosystem Integration**: Part of a broader suite of server management tools, including Proxmox Virtual Environment.
- **Active Development**: Frequent stable releases (e.g., annual major updates) with documented changelogs and community support.

## Body

### Overview
Proxmox Mail Gateway (PMG) is an email server management solution designed to filter, secure, and route mail traffic. It operates as a gateway between the internet and internal mail servers, providing spam detection, virus scanning, and policy-based routing. As free software, it adheres to open-source principles while remaining copyrighted by its developers.

### History and Versions
- **Early Development**: PMG emerged as part of the Proxmox project, which also includes Proxmox Virtual Environment (launched in April 2008).
- **Version 7.3**: Released on March 28, 2023, this was a stable iteration focusing on core functionality.
- **Version 8.0**: Launched on June 29, 2023, this version transitioned to Debian 12 "Bookworm," improving performance and compatibility.
- **Version 8.1**: Released on February 29, 2024, it introduced an enhanced rule system for more granular mail filtering.
- **Version 8.2**: Released on February 27, 2025, with incremental improvements.
- **Version 9.0**: The latest stable release (as of October 2025), based on Debian 13 "Trixie," offering updated dependencies and features.

### Technical Architecture
- **Linux Foundation**: PMG is a Linux distribution, leveraging the Linux kernel and GNU components for stability and security.
- **Integration**: Designed to work alongside existing mail servers (e.g., Postfix, Exim) as a transparent proxy or gateway.
- **Filtering Capabilities**:
  - Spam detection via Bayesian filters, DNS blacklists, and heuristics.
  - Virus scanning through ClamAV or other antivirus engines.
  - Policy-based routing (e.g., whitelisting, blacklisting, quarantining).
- **Web Interface**: Features a dashboard (e.g., [screenshot](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Proxmox-Mail-Gateway-7-Dashboard.png)) for configuration and monitoring.

### Ecosystem and Related Projects
- **Proxmox Virtual Environment**: A sister project focused on server virtualization, sharing the same development team and open-source ethos.
- **Debian Base**: Recent PMG versions are built on Debian releases, ensuring access to a vast repository of tested software packages.
- **Community and Support**:
  - Official forums (e.g., [Proxmox forum announcement for 7.3](https://forum.proxmox.com/threads/proxmox-mail-gateway-7-3-available.124915/)).
  - Press releases for major versions (e.g., [8.0 announcement](https://www.proxmox.com/en/news/press-releases/proxmox-mail-gateway-8-0)).

### Licensing and Distribution
- **Free Software**: Users can freely run, study, modify, and distribute PMG under its open-source license.
- **Copyright**: The software remains copyrighted, with Proxmox retaining ownership while permitting open use.
- **Source Code Access**: Hosted publicly via Gitweb ([repository link](https://git.proxmox.com/?p=proxmox-mailgateway.git)), enabling community contributions.

### Use Cases
- **Enterprise Email Security**: Deployed to protect corporate mail servers from spam, phishing, and malware.
- **ISP and Hosting Providers**: Used by internet service providers to manage mail traffic for multiple domains.
- **Educational and Non-Profit Organizations**: Adopted for its cost-effectiveness and customization options.

### Future Directions
- **Debian 13 Integration**: Version 9.0’s adoption of Debian 13 "Trixie" suggests ongoing alignment with upstream Debian releases for long-term support.
- **Rule System Enhancements**: Continued focus on improving policy management (e.g., version 8.1’s rule system updates).
- **Community Growth**: Expansion of documentation, plugins, and third-party integrations driven by user contributions.

This structured overview ensures all provided data is included while maintaining clarity and depth for LLM-friendly reference.

## References

1. [Proxmox Mail Gateway 7.3 available. 2023](https://forum.proxmox.com/threads/proxmox-mail-gateway-7-3-available.124915/)
2. [Proxmox Mail Gateway 8.0 based on Debian 12 “Bookworm”. 2023](https://www.proxmox.com/en/news/press-releases/proxmox-mail-gateway-8-0)
3. [Proxmox Mail Gateway 8.1 with enhanced Rule System. 2024](https://www.proxmox.com/en/about/press-releases/proxmox-mail-gateway-8-1)
4. [Proxmox Mail Gateway 8.2 released. 2025](https://www.proxmox.com/en/about/company-details/press-releases/proxmox-mail-gateway-8-2)
5. [Proxmox Mail Gateway 9.0 based on Debian 13 “Trixie”. 2025](https://www.proxmox.com/en/about/company-details/press-releases/proxmox-mail-gateway-9-0)