Mozilla Thunderbird is an open-source email client developed by the Mozilla Foundation which also produces the Mozilla Firefox web browser. It is one of the best free email clients for Microsoft Windows. It also supports Linux and Mac OS users. Thunderbird 91 is the latest version available.
It is an efficient and easy-to-use email management application for managing email similar to MS Outlook, but; it does not provide any email addresses. You can use your existing email address, including Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, and more, to send/receive, sort, and search within your email messages in offline mode and even import EMLX files by using the EMLX converter.
Mozilla Thunderbird is a cross-platform application integrated with different mailboxes which support POP3, IMAP, and SMTP protocols. That is why it lets you add multiple email accounts in one place and access them at the same time. Mozilla Thunderbird has the ability to manage all of your mails in one place, update multiple calendars, keep track of your schedule, and backup all crucial information. You can also customize and modify email accounts based on your requirements – including importing PST files via this conversion.
Features of Thunderbird Email Client
It provides many features and easy to set up add-ons services available to customize your email experience. It has options such as fast search, tags, saved search folders, message grouping, etc. to manage multiple emails, newsgroup, and news feed accounts seamlessly in one place. And you can also import OLM files into thunderbird.
- It has no limit to the number of email accounts you can add.
- Thunderbird has a built-in RSS reader to access headlines.
- Thunderbird is a secure email application that provides high-security protection with firewalls and anti-virus. Along with this, it offers spam filters to remove junk messages.
- It provides unlimited storage to manage the large file.
- It offers several extensions to expand the usability to the end-users.
- Send heavy attachments and have an attachment reminder.
- It also gives an option to backup messages so that you never lose them.
- You can customize the theme with a Thunderbird look and feel.
Why choose Mozilla Thunderbird over webmail?
Most of the users choose Mozilla Thunderbird over webmail for betterment of their work without any hassle.
- Full Power over your Emails Settings –
Thunderbird keeps your emails safe on your own device by default, unless you choose to change the setup. This means you have complete control over your data. There’s no need to rely on any external service or accept someone else’s rules. You avoid being dependent on third-party platforms and are protected from unexpected limits or changes imposed by cloud-based systems. If you’re migrating from Outlook, you can follow this guide to import OST files into Thunderbird easily.
- Offline Availability –
Thunderbird also supports full offline functionality and allows users to access, search and organize your emails locally on your device. This feature is essential for frequent flyers, travellers and those who are working remotely.
- Completely Ad-free with full privacy –
While many free email services show ads and track your behavior, thunderbird does neither. Privacy is a core value of the Mozilla foundation, and thunderbird is built with that principle at its heart. And if Thunderbird ever shows an error or refuses to open, you can refer to this article for a quick solution.
Comparison between Thunderbird Vs. Other Email Clients
| # | Features | Thunderbird | Outlook | Apple Mail | Mailbird | Proton Mail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Free to use | Yes | No (Paid) | Yes | No (Premium) | Yes |
| 2 | Open source | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| 3 | Customization | Yes | Limited | Limited | Moderate | Low |
| 4 | Supports extensions | Yes | Limited | No | No | No |
| 5 | Privacy focused | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| 6 | Offline access | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
How to set up an email account in Thunderbird?
Steps to add your existing Gmail or for any other email provider to Thunderbird 91 are as follow:
- First launch Thunderbird, now in the tab go to Account Setup.
- You will then need to enter your username, email address, and password detail. Then press continue
3. Choose either IMAP or POP as the incoming mail server details and hit the “Done” button to proceed.
4. This page will show up once you have successfully added your email account.
5. It will automatically detect your address books and calendars based on your login information. Thunderbird 91 supports CardDAV and CalDAV calendars and setup an email address with convenient auto-configuration,
6. Now click “Finish” to work with your mailbox in Thunderbird.
Upsides and Downsides of Mozilla Thunderbird
Here are some upsides and downsides of mozilla thunderbird for better understanding about thunderbird are mentioned below:
| # | Upsides | Downsides |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Free & open source | Outdated user interface |
| 2 | Supports multiple accounts | Difficult for new users |
| 3 | Customizable via add-ons | No native cloud sync |
| 4 | Strong security features | Slow with large mail volumes |
| 5 | Offline access to email | Limited official mobile support |
What type of data file does Thunderbird use?
Mozilla Thunderbird uses MBOX file format to store the email messages and MSF file to save index files that store a summary of your emails. Thus, if you ever need to move from Thunderbird to MS Outlook; you can convert MBOX files into PST. Besides this; if you have any old or orphan MBOX file which you cannot open due to the unavailability of Thunderbird then you can opt for some MBOX viewer tool or convert the MBOX file into any desirable formats like Windows Live Mail, PDF file format, HCL Lotus Notes, etc.
Wrap Up
At Magustools Team, we focus on delivering tools that promote efficiency, give full command over digital communication, and with full autonomy. Mozilla thunderbird stands out as a full-featured, open-source email client that rivals many commercial options. with a simple and an easy-to-customize design, powerful and solid privacy policy, and ability to manage multi account support make it a versatile tool for managing communications experience for both personal users as well as business levels. If your priorities include reliable performance and strong privacy protection, Thunderbird presents a compelling choice.
Being one of the most commonly used open-source email clients, home users majorly use Thunderbird to open and view emails in offline mode. Unlike many other similar email clients; that often come across common errors caused by hardware-software-related issues; Mozilla Thunderbird is very well programmed.
FAQ’s
Q1. What is a Mozilla Thunderbird?
Mozilla Thunderbird is a free and open source web browser developed by the Mozilla foundation. It enables users to manage files in bulk for email accounts, organize their messages, maintain contacts, synchronize calendars and many more – all in a highly customizable package.
Q2. Is Mozilla thunderbird safe to use?
Absolutely Yes, thunderbird is a secure option and pretty safe to use. It offers various features like – phishing protection, spam, and supports encrypted email (OpenPGP, S/MIME). Plus, since it’s open-source and from Mozilla, it’s free from ads and tracking. And if you ever need to switch you can easily export thunderbird mail to outlook by using the right guide.
Q3. Is thunderbird email free?
Yes, thunderbird itself is completely free and open source.
Q4. Are Firefox and thunderbird the same?
No, Firefox and thunderbird are not same but both are made by Mozilla
- Firefox is a web browser
- Thunderbird is a software for handling email.
Q5. Can I use thunderbird with Gmail?
Absolutely Yes, you’re able to use thunderbird for Gmail. Just enable IMAP in Gmail and sync it within thunderbird.
Emily
I'm a content writer with a solid understanding of software and technical topics, which allows me to break down complex concepts into clear, engaging content. I enjoy creating articles, guides and documentation that connect with both tech-savvy readers and those new to the subject