What is Dada Mail?

Dada Mail is a mature web-based email list management system written in Perl. It handles closed-loop opt-in subscriptions, announcement and discussion mailing lists, mass mailing with advanced monitoring, message archiving with search and RSS/Atom feeds, email templating with mail merge, custom subscriber fields, and plugins for bounce handling, clickthrough tracking, and discussion lists. It runs as CGI, FastCGI, or PSGI, requires Perl 5.10.1+, supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQLite backends, and includes a web-based installer. The free version has limits (3 mailing lists, 100 subscribers per list), while Pro Dada removes limits and adds prioritized support and manual access.

Should you self-host Dada Mail?

Dada Mail scores 50/100 on selfhost.directory (how scoring works) and ranks #56 of 106 in Email. It has 182 GitHub stars.

There was no stable release in the past 12 months, so check the repository's recent activity before you rely on it.

Setup is moderate: expect some configuration beyond a single command. It is GPL-2.0-licensed and written mostly in Perl.

Its closest alternative on selfhost.directory is Listmonk (80/100, 24 017 stars). It scores higher overall, so compare the two before you pick. See Dada Mail vs Listmonk side by side.

Features

Appearance Customization
Bounce Handling
Custom profile fields
Discussion Lists (Bridge)
Email Analytics
Mailing List Options
Mass Mailing
Mass Mailing Monitor
Membership Management
Message Archiving
Multiple deployment modes
Multiple Mail Sending Methods
Plugin System
Scheduled Jobs (Cron)

FAQ

How do I receive a new version of Pro Dada when released?

Log into your Pro Dada subscriber area and download the new version yourself.

What is the refund policy?

Refunds are only given if you do not receive your Pro Dada subscription login credentials.

Does a Pro Dada Subscription come with an installation of Pro Dada?

Installation service is separate; if you purchase Pro Dada and cannot install it within 14 days, installation is offered at a reduced price.

What are the system requirements for Pro Dada?

The system requirements for Pro Dada are the same as for the free Dada Mail version.

What do I receive when I get a Pro Dada Subscription?

You receive direct prioritized support via Zendesk for one installation, access to the Pro Dada Manual (online and PDF), and the Pro Dada distribution without mailing list or subscriber limits.