Email clients require speed, reliability, and features to gain the market’s attention. Mozilla Thunderbird is a highly rated email software program that delivers on all of those. Thunderbird is Mozilla’s award-winning email solution. Mozilla Firefox fans have an easy to use solution for their email needs. Thunderbird is an open source tool so it’s great for anyone who wants an email client installed on their device as opposed to a browser-based email service. Users love Mozilla’s palatable privacy policy as compared to its competitors. Thunderbird contains the major email features you would want, however most of the premium or non-standard features are only available via an add-on. There are tons of add-ons to choose from to customize your email experience. Mozilla Thunderbird is ideal for anyone looking for a free email client solution, with user-friendly privacy regulations, and a speedy interface. Students, professionals, and general tech users alike create Mozilla Thunderbird’s large fanbase.
Key Features Include:
Tabbed email.
An Archive feature similar to the one found in GMail.
Lightning fast search.
Smart folders.
Thunderbird has junk mail tools that have been updated to stay ahead of spam and features anti-phishing protection.
Is there a better alternative?
With so many email clients available, it’s hard to know which is the best one for your individual needs. Microsoft Outlook is one of its biggest competitors. Microsoft Outlook has a more professional and business-focused appeal and reputation, being the most commonly used email interface for companies worldwide. Mozilla Thunderbird recently added Microsoft Exchange Server compatibility which will relieve Microsoft fans. Thunderbird is completely opensource (and therefore free), while Microsoft Outlook’s very basic free (web-based) offering is feature-stripped. Users have to pay an upgrade subscription fee to tap into Outlook’s full potential. Thunderbird is lacking some of Outlook’s upgrade features (such as read receipts and follow ups). However, Outlook is missing some Thunderbird features including the ability to send large file attachments via web services and having a portable version that runs on USB flash disks. All in all, unless you are a large corporation with highly professional and business-focused email needs (and a licensing budget to match it), Mozilla Thunderbird is the better option.
Our take
You will be hard pressed to find a necessary email feature that Mozilla Thunderbird cannot meet, at least with their add-ins. Download Thunderbird if you want to be impressed by an open source email client, with capabilities comparable to their paid competitors.
Should you download it?
If data privacy matters to you, Thunderbird is the download you want. Opt for Microsoft Outlook or Gmail if data privacy is not a priority and your licensing budget is sufficient to upgrade to an Outlook subscription. Data is more private, operational speed impressive, and features abound, making Mozilla Thunderbird an excellent email client choice.