OpenText GroupWise vs Zimbra Collaboration comparison

OpenText and Zimbra are both solutions in the Email Applications category. OpenText is ranked #12, while Zimbra is ranked #10. OpenText holds a 2.6% mindshare in EA, compared to Zimbra’s 6.2% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of OpenText users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Zimbra users who would recommend it.

OpenText GroupWise

Read 3 OpenText GroupWise reviews

953 Views
848 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Zimbra Collaboration

Read 28 Zimbra Collaboration reviews

2,980 Views
2,801 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

OpenText GroupWise

Zimbra Collaboration

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on May 21, 2025

Zimbra Collaboration and OpenText GroupWise are competing solutions in professional communication platforms. Zimbra is preferred for cost-effectiveness and responsive support, while GroupWise is recognized for superior features and a comprehensive experience.

Features: Zimbra Collaboration focuses on integrated email, calendar, and collaboration tools with easy integration and strong security. OpenText GroupWise provides advanced document management, workflow capabilities, and suits organizations with complex requirements.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Zimbra Collaboration is known for a straightforward deployment process and attentive customer support. OpenText GroupWise offers comprehensive deployment options for various environments with detailed guidance.

Pricing and ROI: Zimbra Collaboration is cost-effective, emphasizing low setup costs, and offers a strong ROI. OpenText GroupWise, although potentially more expensive, justifies the investment with an extensive feature set and higher initial costs.

To learn more, read our detailed OpenText GroupWise vs. Zimbra Collaboration Report (Updated: August 2026).

Buyer's Guide

OpenText GroupWise vs. Zimbra Collaboration

August 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

OpenText GroupWise

Ranking in Email Applications

12th

Average Rating

9.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Wireless Email (3rd)

Zimbra Collaboration

Ranking in Email Applications

10th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2026, in the Email Applications category, the mindshare of OpenText GroupWise is 2.6%, up from 1.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Zimbra Collaboration is 6.2%, down from 8.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Email Applications Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Zimbra Collaboration	6.2%
OpenText GroupWise	2.6%
Other	91.2%

Email Applications

Featured Reviews

John Novak

Consulting Manager at Technical Consulting Resources

Great security, stability, versatility, expandability and low cost of ownership.

I like the ease of login best in GroupWise. With the desktop client you can login to GroupWise independently of the PC login and it has Web Client that can be used if your prefer not to install the client or are using a PC that does not have the GroupWise Client installed. I also like its user proxy capabilities. I also like the level of security that it provides. Additionally, it comes with GroupWise Messenger for secure instant messaging to desktop or mobile devices. It integrates well with the email on your mobile devices and smart phones via GroupWise Mobile Services.

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Muhammad Talha Baig

Business Analyst and Associate Project Manager at SAMI Pharmaceuticals

One of the premium features was customized rooms tailored to the collaboration needs

Zimbra's strength lies in its individuality, and it should focus on leveraging its unique features rather than trying to emulate competitors. My organization has certified Zimbra technicians, so we believe we can utilize Zimbra certification. However, I was recently informed by Zimbra that no such certification exists. I have recently completed the test kit, and after the training, I will gain access to tickets. Therefore, if any clients are experiencing issues, we have a certified technical team available to provide support 24/7. This is how we can cater to our client's needs. I recommend Zimbra to small-scale and enterprise customers. Anyone, even those with 5 users, can opt for Zimbra. Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"I like the ease of logging best in Micro Focus GroupWise. I also like its proxy capabilities from a user level. I also like how secure Micro Focus GroupWise is."

"The cost-effectiveness of the solution is most valuable."

"I would advise others who are looking into implementing this product to go for it."

"The solution is very flexible and has great storage capacity."

"Very secure with great storage capacity."

"Zimbra Collaboration's best feature is its compatibility with Microsoft's ActiveSync protocol, which allows users to use Outlook on Windows or MacOS."

"Zimbra Collaboration has a good web interface."

"The product is easy to set up."

"The most valuable feature of Zimbra Collaboration is email functionality."

"Most valuable to us is the fact that it's open source, so it's possible to do a lot of customization."

"One of the premium features was customized rooms tailored to the collaboration needs. Many of the clients customize features such as organization logos and scanners."

"The product is very stable."

"It is the best open source collaboration suite that I know, because it provides high availability and more performance than the other solutions."

More Zimbra Collaboration pros

Cons

"Customer support did what they could but we had some issues because it required coordination between GroupWise and SUSE Linux or the Micro Focus storage support. It became a ping pong between these two parts of the same company and was unpleasant."

"What I don't like about Micro Focus GroupWise is the removal of the Unix client. Micro Focus took that function away about ten years ago because there wasn't enough demand for it."

"The WebAccess feature is somewhat lacking and could be improved."

"Their support can be improved. It is not as good as it used to be."

"Zimbra should provide a desktop client. Right now, we are using a web browser for accessing our emails. There should also be a desktop client."

"They should enhance its online meeting features."

"The antispam and antivirus features are hard to understand on mobile devices."

"I can confidently say that Zimbra is good enough for 2,000 client users. But, at the same time, if my client needs more than that and we have two options—Zimbra or Microsoft—I'm going with Microsoft because many admins will speak to Microsoft's ability to handle that many."

"It does have a few bugs. However, they are small and can be worked around."

"Zimbra is not very stable, but it's okay."

"Zimbra Collaboration is expensive, and there is no perpetual license option."

"It would be great if a group chat feature were created to allow for a team environment."

More Zimbra Collaboration cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It was a part of the suite, so it was very cost-effective. There were no costs beyond the licensing fee."

"Micro Focus GroupWise is the most affordable solution on-premises. Versus Microsoft Exchange on-premises, pricing is 20:1, so there's no comparison. Micro Focus GroupWise is cheaper, though, for my clients, it's not about the cost but the stability and security of the solution."

"There is an annual standard licensing fee to use Zimbra Collaboration and there is no other cost."

"The solution is not expensive compared to other products."

"We do not pay for licenses to use this solution."

"The price of the solution is low."

"We pay yearly licenses for Zimbra Collaboration."

"Zimbra Collaboration is less expensive than Microsoft Exchange. Zimbra works for small companies because it is not expensive. Zimbra Collaboration has more security tools than Microsoft Exchange. If you are choosing between Zimbra Collaboration and Microsoft Exchange, you have to take into account the cost of security tools with Microsoft Exchange. When you purchase Microsoft Exchange, you will also have to purchase tools for security, which adds to the cost. The migration from Zimbra Collaboration to another email solution is very simple and easy. Migration from Microsoft Exchange to another email solution is very difficult. Microsoft doesn't allow migration that easily. In fact, you have to pay for tools to do that. You have to buy some expensive tools to migrate."

"On a scale of one to ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive, I rate the price a four"

"When it comes to the licensing of Zimbra Collaboration, my license covers the servers and I find its terms to be much simpler than those of Microsoft Exchange."

More Zimbra Collaboration pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Comms Service Provider

13%

Computer Software Company

13%

Manufacturing Company

Outsourcing Company

10%

Computer Software Company

Construction Company

Comms Service Provider

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	19
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	7

Questions from the Community

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How does Zimbra Collaboration compare with Microsoft Exchange?

Zimbra is a free, open source collaborative software suite. The features I like best are the ease of integration and the email, calendar, and collaboration server with web interface. In addition, I...

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Comparisons

Microsoft Exchange Online vs OpenText GroupWise

Compared 18% of the time

Microsoft Exchange vs OpenText GroupWise

Compared 17% of the time

Google Workspace vs OpenText GroupWise

Compared 16% of the time

Amazon WorkMail vs OpenText GroupWise

Compared 13% of the time

IceWarp vs OpenText GroupWise

Compared 4% of the time

More OpenText GroupWise Competitors

Microsoft Exchange vs Zimbra Collaboration

Compared 15% of the time

Open-Xchange vs Zimbra Collaboration

Compared 14% of the time

Google Workspace vs Zimbra Collaboration

Compared 12% of the time

Microsoft Exchange Online vs Zimbra Collaboration

Compared 9% of the time

More Zimbra Collaboration Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Email Applications

August 2026

Download OpenText GroupWise product report

Buyer's Guide

Zimbra Collaboration

July 2026

Download Zimbra Collaboration product report

Also Known As

Micro Focus GroupWise, GroupWise

No data available

Overview

OpenText GroupWise is a comprehensive business communication platform designed for messaging, calendaring, and document management. Known for robust security and reliability, it effectively supports enterprise-level communication needs.

Geared towards large organizations, OpenText GroupWise offers a stable and secure environment for handling emails, scheduling, and tasks. Its collaboration features allow seamless integration of communication tools, providing a unified approach to managing business processes. OpenText GroupWise's streamlined interface ensures ease of use and efficient navigation, making it a highly effective tool for efficient communication management.

What are the key features of OpenText GroupWise?

Email Management: Offers a comprehensive suite for managing emails efficiently.
Calendar Integration: Synchronizes scheduling and appointments to enhance time management.
Contact Management: Maintains and organizes contacts seamlessly.
Task Management: Facilitates task creation and tracking for optimized productivity.

What benefits do users gain from OpenText GroupWise?

Enhanced Security: Ensures data protection and secure communication.
Reliability: Provides a robust platform for uninterrupted operations.
Increased Productivity: Streamlines communication and task management.

OpenText GroupWise is widely implemented in industries like healthcare and finance, where secure communication is crucial. It integrates effectively to meet industry-specific compliance requirements, boosting efficiency and security in fast-paced environments.

OpenText

Zimbra Collaboration is a comprehensive tool for communication and collaboration, featuring easy account management and seamless integration capabilities with open-source customization. It's valued for premium functionalities like auto discovery and mobile synchronization, catering to small and medium-sized organizations.

Zimbra Collaboration provides essential features for business communication, including efficient account management via a centralized console and intuitive web interface. Designed for scalability and stability, it supports a range of functionalities from document sharing to video conferencing. Users benefit from its competitive pricing and open-source affordability. However, there's room for improvement in areas like backup, anti-spam, and mobile access, with a demand for better GUI, documentation, and language support. Zimbra's integration with third-party tools and strengthening video conferencing and storage management could enhance its appeal in various sectors.

What Are the Key Features of Zimbra Collaboration?

Centralized Console: Simplifies account management with an easy-to-use interface.
Open-Source Customization: Offers flexibility in adapting the platform to specific needs.
Seamless Integration: Allows smooth collaboration with existing tools and platforms.
Mobile Synchronization: Ensures access across devices for continuous productivity.
Anti-Spam Modules: Provides enhanced email security with built-in protections.

What Benefits Should Be Evaluated in Reviews?

Scalability: Grow with your organization's needs without compromising performance.
Affordability: Benefit from cost-effective features with competitive pricing.
Stability: Experience reliable and consistent performance across the platform.
Responsive Interface: Navigate effortlessly with a user-friendly design.

In industries like education and healthcare, Zimbra Collaboration implements effective email and collaboration solutions, offering robust security and seamless integration. It facilitates communication for organizations requiring reliable webmail support for numerous accounts, ensuring consistent performance and affordable scalability.

Zimbra

Sample Customers

Heritage Oaks Bank

NEC Biglobe, City of Ventura, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Hola Publishing, BIG, Sleepwell, LaFayette College, Xmission, DNA, Ring Line, Future Group, TIGC

Buyer's Guide

OpenText GroupWise vs. Zimbra Collaboration

August 2026

Free Report: OpenText GroupWise vs. Zimbra Collaboration

Find out what your peers are saying about OpenText GroupWise vs. Zimbra Collaboration and other solutions. Updated: August 2026.

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