What it does
listmonk is a free, open-source newsletter and mailing-list manager that you run on your own server. It combines subscriber lists, database-based segmentation, email editors and campaign analytics. You need a PostgreSQL database, an email delivery provider and a local administrator account.
Install it on your own server
listmonk is distributed as a binary, with a Docker Compose option. For the binary route:
- Download and extract the release for your operating system.
- Run
./listmonk --new-configand edit the generated configuration. - Run
./listmonk --installto create the PostgreSQL tables. - Start
./listmonk, openhttp://localhost:9000and create the Super Admin account.
The software is free under the AGPLv3 license. Hosting, database operation and email delivery are your responsibility. Configurable SMTP queues control delivery rates.
Lists, segments and editions
A technical community newsletter can segment subscriber records with SQL, the language used to query a database. Visual, Markdown, HTML and plain-text editors give writers several ways to prepare an edition. Go templates can insert subscriber data into subjects and content, while campaign reports cover bounces and clicked links.
The application programming interface (API) connects subscriber management and transactional templates to other software. Modified versions offered over a network are subject to the AGPL license's source-sharing conditions.
Strengths
- SQL segments and Go templates support detailed subscriber-driven content
- Multiple editing routes avoid requiring HTML for every newsletter
Watch out for
- The operator must maintain PostgreSQL, the application and a sending provider
- AGPLv3 obligations apply when modified software is served over a network
Best for
- Technical teams operating their own newsletter infrastructure
Sources
- listmonk/LICENSE at master · knadh/listmonk · GitHub (Oct 25, 2026)
- listmonk newsletter and mailing-list manager (Oct 27, 2026)
- Installing listmonk (Oct 27, 2026)