Kolab Now: Secure Open-Source Groupware from Switzerland
In 2013, as revelations from Edward Snowden's leaks prompted U.S. privacy-focused email providers like Lavabit to shut down, Kolab Now emerged as a reliable alternative. Hosted in Switzerland and built entirely on free and open-source software, this web-based service provides email, calendars, contacts, tasks, notes, and file storage. Operated by Apheleia IT AG from Zürich, it caters to users seeking surveillance-free collaboration tools without relying on Big Tech platforms. Switzerland's stringent data protection laws add a layer of assurance, with the provider logging only what's necessary for service operation and disclosing rare government requests publicly.
What is Kolab Now?
Kolab Now is a hosted groupware platform launched publicly in beta as MyKolab in January 2013, reaching full availability that August. It stems from the open-source Kolab suite, developed by Apheleia IT AG—formerly Kolab Systems AG—founded in 2010 in Zürich, Switzerland. The company, a major contributor to the Roundcube webmail project, emphasizes transparency through its use of audited FOSS components.
The service gained attention post-Snowden when Groklaw author Pamela Jones endorsed it, driving demand amid closures of other secure providers. Unlike self-hosted Kolab deployments, Kolab Now handles hosting on Swiss servers, benefiting from laws that require judicial warrants for data access. By 2015, it had fulfilled just one administrative request from Swiss authorities and rejected U.S. ones lacking jurisdiction.
Kolab Now prioritizes client-side encryption—recommending tools like Thunderbird with Enigmail—over server-side to avoid provider access to user data. It supports individual accounts with 2-100 GB storage and group plans for custom domains, starting at around 4.55 CHF per month for email-only up to higher tiers for full groupware.
Who Uses Kolab Now?
Privacy-conscious individuals, journalists, legal professionals, and small teams form the core user base. Those ditching Gmail or Outlook for ad-free, surveillance-resistant tools find it suitable. It serves users in regulated sectors needing audit-friendly open-source stacks, like NGOs or consultancies wary of U.S.-based clouds.
No high-profile customers are publicly listed, aligning with its privacy ethos. Endorsements from figures like Pamela Jones highlight its appeal during surveillance scandals. Reviews praise its reliability for daily collaboration without vendor lock-in.
European Advantage
Headquartered in Zürich, Kolab Now operates under Switzerland's Federal Act on Data Protection, often seen as stricter than GDPR in enforcement. Servers stay within Switzerland, shielding data from foreign subpoenas without judicial oversight. The provider publishes lawful access stats—minimal to date—and uses no third-party trackers. This setup ensures GDPR compliance for EU users while leveraging Swiss neutrality for global appeal.
How Kolab Now Compares
Kolab Now stands out for full groupware against email-centric rivals. Proton Mail offers end-to-end encryption but lacks native calendars or tasks. Tutanota provides E2EE email with basic calendars, yet misses ActiveSync and file sharing depth. Mailbox.org matches groupware scope but relies less on pure FOSS. Kolab Now's open-source foundation and Swiss hosting give it an edge for transparency and legal protections.
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Kolab Now is a web-based email and groupware service based completely on free and open-source software, hosted in Switzerland emphasizing privacy and security.