SquirrelMail, Roundcube and Horde: which webmail client should you use?

If your hosting account includes email, you can read and send messages directly from a browser without setting up a mail client like Outlook or Thunderbird. That browser-based access is handled by a webmail client, and most cPanel hosting accounts give you a choice of three: SquirrelMail, Roundcube and Horde. They all connect to the same mailbox, but they work quite differently.

Knowing what each one does well makes it easier to pick the right one for day-to-day use, or to point clients towards the right option when they ask.

SquirrelMail

SquirrelMail is the oldest of the three and takes a deliberately minimal approach. The interface is text-based, with no images or heavy styling, which means it loads fast even on slow connections. There is no drag-and-drop, no rich formatting toolbar and no calendar. What you get is a working inbox, the ability to compose and reply to messages, and folder management.

That simplicity is its main strength. If you need to check email on a poor connection, or you are troubleshooting an account and want something that will load without fuss, SquirrelMail delivers. For regular daily use, though, most people find it too bare-bones. It has not seen active development for some time, and cPanel has been phasing it out in favour of the more modern options.

Roundcube

Roundcube is the default webmail client on most cPanel installations, and for good reason. It has a clean, modern interface that feels closer to a desktop mail application than a web page. You can drag messages between folders, use keyboard shortcuts, and compose emails with a proper formatting toolbar. The address book is well-organised, and the search function works reliably.

For most users, Roundcube is the right choice. It handles everyday email tasks without getting in the way, and it looks professional enough that you would not hesitate to use it in front of a client. It also performs well on mobile browsers, which matters if you are checking email away from your desk.

You can log in to webmail directly from your browser using your hosting account credentials. If Roundcube is not already set as your default, you can change it from the webmail selection screen.

Horde

Horde is the most feature-rich of the three. Alongside email, it includes a calendar, task manager, notes, address book and file manager, all accessible from the same interface. If you want a browser-based groupware suite rather than a standalone mail client, Horde covers that ground.

The trade-off is complexity. Horde takes longer to load than Roundcube, and the interface can feel cluttered if you only need to read and send email. It is worth considering if you rely on a shared calendar or want to manage tasks without installing separate software, but for straightforward email use it is more than most people need.

Comparing the three clients

The table below covers the main differences across the areas that matter most when choosing a webmail client.

Which one should you use?

For most people, Roundcube is the answer. It handles everything a typical email user needs, it looks good, and it works reliably across devices. If you are setting up email for clients, pointing them towards Roundcube avoids the support questions that come with a more complex interface.

SquirrelMail still has a place as a fallback. If Roundcube is slow to load or you are working on a restricted connection, it gets the job done. Horde is worth exploring if you want calendar and task features without paying for a separate tool, but go in knowing the interface takes some getting used to.

All three webmail clients are available on cPanel hosting accounts. You can access them by navigating to yourdomain.co.uk/webmail and logging in with your email address and password. Our webmail login guide walks through the process if you need a hand getting started.

If you have questions about setting up email on your hosting account, the UWH support team is available to help.