The Best Free Thunderbird AlternativesTop Email Clients and other similar apps like Thunderbird

The best free alternative to Thunderbird is K-9 Mail, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Thunderbird and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Thunderbird are Claws Mail, Evolution, Betterbird and SeaMonkey.

filter to find the best alternatives

Thunderbird alternatives are mainly Email Clients, but if you're looking for Calendar Apps or Contact Managers you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Linux, Open Source, iPhone, Windows, Windows + Open Source, Android and Free. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Thunderbird.
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Alternatives list

  1. Mailbird icon
    Sponsored

    Streamline your email experience by managing multiple accounts, integrating apps like Slack and Google Calendar, and using AI-driven features like drafting and spam prevention. Customize your workspace with themes, notifications, and tools for improved productivity and a modern interface.

    64 Mailbird alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once or Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
  2. K-9 Mail icon
     366 likes
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    K-9 is an open source email client for Android with multi-folder sync, email signatures, Bcc-to-self, return-address configuration, keyboard shortcuts, Exchange Support, message flagging, IMAP deletes, saving attachments, configurable notifications and more.

    42 K-9 Mail alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
     
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    22
    170
    Comments about K-9 Mail as an Alternative to Thunderbird
    Comment summary: K-9 Mail serves as a strong alternative to Thunderbird for Android devices, praised for its OpenKeyChain integration and PGP encryption. It is valued for being open source and user-friendly with options for both POP3 and IMAP. However, criticism centers around its exclusivity to Android, which limits its capability to fully replace desktop-focused Thunderbird for some users.
    Top Positive Comment
    kiminariyamamoto
    7

    Keeps the style of working with email as it should be, like we are used to from proper desktop Mail clients. It's unlike modern fancy clients with couple of buttons without even providing an option to view headers.

    Top Negative Comment
    ByteRanger
    4

    K-9 Mail is not for desktop operating systems, only Android. So you can't replace Thunderbird unless you are also replacing your desktop with a mobile device.

    jondemon
    Negative
    0

    K9 has nothing to do here. It's an android app

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    3 of 22 comments
    Thunderbird Icon
    K-9 Mail icon
    • Most users think K-9 Mail is a great Thunderbird alternative.

    • K-9 Mail is the most popular Android & Android Tablet alternative to Thunderbird.

    • K-9 Mail is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Thunderbird.

    • K-9 Mail is Free and Open SourceThunderbird is also Free and Open Source
    • K-9 Mail is LightweightThunderbird is not according to our users
  3. Claws Mail icon
     106 likes
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    Email and news client on GTK+ foundation featuring quick performance, extensible plugins, secure protocols, advanced filtering, strong folder and contact management, lightweight design, powerful search, customizable interface, multi-language support, and encryption.

    62 Claws Mail alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
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    8
    51
    Comments about Claws Mail as an Alternative to Thunderbird
    Top Positive Comment
    Jonathan DUMONT
    9

    Despite the style, Claws is super fast and allow you to programs it with Perl and Python which is great for marketing automation.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    19

    No HTML compose is the only reason I don't switch to it. We're not in 1980 anymore.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    SViN
    2

    I think most people are using gmail accounts or outlook accounts to access their emails. Claws supports Oauth2 to access said accounts but the implementation, is a complete PAIN.

    I can only realistically recommend something like this if your email provider is not forcing Oauth2.

    I would like for the devs to get to work into making the experience of setting up an account with oauth as painless as thunderbird.

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    3 of 8 comments
    Thunderbird Icon
    Claws Mail icon
    • Most users think Claws Mail is a great Thunderbird alternative.

    • Claws Mail is the most popular Windows & Linux alternative to Thunderbird.

    • Claws Mail is Free and Open SourceThunderbird is also Free and Open Source
    • Claws Mail is LightweightThunderbird is not according to our users
  4. Evolution icon
     205 likes
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    Evolution is a personal information management application that provides integrated mail, calendaring, address book and task list functionality.

    69 Evolution alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • S/MIME
    • GNOME
    • OpenPGP
     
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    5
    71
    Comments about Evolution as an Alternative to Thunderbird
    Top Positive Comment
    Michel Th.
    1

    I use both Thunderbird and Evolution, sometimes Claws-Mail. Evolution is the only one that can show the real "received" date in scams I have been receiving for months. In a today's scam Evolution shows "sent date" (falsified) 14-12-2019 and "received date" 30-01-2023 (evidently true). Thunderbird and Claws-Mail show 14-12-2019 in both columns.

    RemovedUser
    Positive
    0

    As someone who is forced to use M365 at work (but ditching it at home, I let my subscription lapse) this is the closest visually to Outlook. That's important to me. The workflow is essentially identical.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Syntevo GmbH
    1

    Unfortunately, only available on Linux, not on Windows, not on MacOS. Otherwise promising.

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    3 of 5 comments
    Thunderbird Icon
    Evolution icon
    • Most users think Evolution is a great Thunderbird alternative.

    • Evolution is Free and Open SourceThunderbird is also Free and Open Source
  5. Betterbird icon
     70 likes
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    Betterbird, a soft fork of Mozilla Thunderbird, improves user experience with advanced features, bug fixes, security patches, and multi-row descriptions similar to Outlook. Compatible with multiple platforms and can be used alongside Thunderbird, sharing the same profile.

    28 Betterbird alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Chocolatey
     
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    5
    16
    Comments about Betterbird as an Alternative to Thunderbird
    Top Positive Comment
    Sam Lander
    3

    Betterbird does everything that Thunderbird does (it's a soft fork), while improving bugs and features.

    Because it's a soft fork, it retains the security implementations of Thunderbird.

    Thunderbird actually implements many of the bug fixes created by Betterbird, but at a much slower pace.

    drummer_nrg
    Positive
    1

    Betterbird is actively updated by a previous Thunderbird developer and is a fully compatible fork of Thunderbird which fixes some outstanding bugs. My add-ons like keepassxc-mail work fine!

    Guest
    Positive
    2

    It has many fixes for long existing bugs

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 5 comments
    Thunderbird Icon
    Betterbird icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Betterbird is a great Thunderbird alternative.

    • Betterbird is the most popular Mac alternative to Thunderbird.

    • Betterbird is Free and Open SourceThunderbird is also Free and Open Source
    • Betterbird is LightweightThunderbird is not according to our users
  6. SeaMonkey icon
     241 likes
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    Web-browser, advanced e-mail, newsgroup and feed client, IRC chat, and HTML editing in one application. Itis built on the open source Mozilla Gecko engine, the same code which underlies Thunderbird and is the base for the Firefox browser.

    185 SeaMonkey alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
     
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    4
    43
    Comments about SeaMonkey as an Alternative to Thunderbird
    Guest
    Positive
    21

    SeaMonkey is both a WEB BROWSER and EMAIL CLIENT. It's the successor of Mozilla Application Suite or Netscape Communicator, resp. Further it includes also a news client program, an HTML editor (SeaMonkey Composer) and an IRC client (ChatZilla).

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    apostolfaliagas
    Positive
    15

    It has all of Thunderbird's features and many more.

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Unfortunately doesn't support synchronization with CardDAV address books.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 4 comments
    Thunderbird Icon
    SeaMonkey icon
    • Some users think SeaMonkey is a great Thunderbird alternative, some don't.

    • SeaMonkey is Free and Open SourceThunderbird is also Free and Open Source
    • SeaMonkey is LightweightThunderbird is not according to our users
  7. eM Client icon
     232 likes
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    Looking for a full-featured email client with a modern and easy-to-use interface? Look no further than eM Client. Rated 3 out of 5, eM Client is a popular alternative to Thunderbird, offering all the features you need to manage your email, calendar, tasks, contacts, notes, and chat all in one place.

    With support for IMAP, calendar integration, and multiple accounts, eM Client is the perfect choice for users who want a robust email client that can handle all their needs. Whether you're using Windows or Mac, eM Client is the most popular proprietary alternative to Thunderbird, offering a powerful and flexible solution for managing your email and staying organized. Give it a try today and see why so many users are making the switch to eM Client.

    61 eM Client alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
     
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    12
    74
    Comments about eM Client as an Alternative to Thunderbird
    Comment summary: eM Client presents a clean interface with more built-in functions than Thunderbird, making it appealing for Mac and Windows users who prioritize design. However, users criticize it for being closed source, not supporting Linux, and having limited free accounts. Concerns include slow email rendering and potential phishing risks detected by antivirus software. Thunderbird remains favored for advanced configurability while eM Client is considered a viable alternative if users don't mind these limitations.
    Top Positive Comment
    3psilon
    2

    A good Windows alternative if you use 1-2 mailboxes or don't mind paying.

    Top Negative Comment
    LinuxDoge
    1

    doesnt support Linux, isnt open source, not configurable enough

    I am spezticle
    Negative
    1

    After installing I got malwarebytes and AVG antivirus alerts containing threats of phishing with urls such as "http://walmartsurvys.us/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png" by way of the eM Client executable "MailClient.exe" There was a dozen more of them

    Do not install this phishing trash

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 12 comments
    Thunderbird Icon
    eM Client icon
    • Most users think eM Client is a great Thunderbird alternative.

    • eM Client is Freemium and ProprietaryThunderbird is Free and Open Source
  8. Geary icon
     105 likes
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    Geary is an email application built around conversations, for the GNOME 3 desktop.

    46 Geary alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • GNOME
    • Flatpak
     
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    4
    34
    Comments about Geary as an Alternative to Thunderbird
    Kelson V
    Positive
    0

    Geary is a lot lighter than Thunderbird, so it's a good choice on lower-end hardware. IMAP features are basic, but 90% of what most people will need. It relies on GNOME for contacts, but the mail app itself can run on any Linux desktop.

    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Doesn't have an address book

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Only IMAP. No support for local folders.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 4 comments
    Thunderbird Icon
    Geary icon
    • Most users think Geary is a great Thunderbird alternative.

    • Geary is Free and Open SourceThunderbird is also Free and Open Source
    • Geary is LightweightThunderbird is not according to our users
  9. Apple Mail icon
     244 likes
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    Access, view and manage messages from all your email accounts in one place. Categorize your messages into easy to browse categories. Catch up on email easily with Apple Intelligence powered Priority Messages and summarizations.

    105 Apple Mail alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
     
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    2
    25
    Comments about Apple Mail as an Alternative to Thunderbird
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    I have used Thunderbird with IMAP for years, but the tiny font problem on Mac is now a dealbreaker, and with my decades of emails and folders, Thunderbird is flailing when fetching ail or moving folders. Apple Mail does what I need it to: manage multiple Gmail accounts, not be too slow, and let me adjust font size. The arrangement of folders/mailboxes in Apple Mail is not as intuitive as Tbird but I can deal with that.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    -7

    You must download all your emails and there is no option to limit it!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Thunderbird Icon
    Apple Mail icon
    • Some users think Apple Mail is a great Thunderbird alternative, some don't.

    • Apple Mail is the most popular Web-based, iPhone & iPad alternative to Thunderbird.

    • Apple Mail is Free and ProprietaryThunderbird is Free and Open Source
  10. FairEmail icon
     86 likes
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    Open-source, privacy-focused email client offering features such as encryption via OpenPGP and S/MIME, unlimited accounts, a unified inbox, customizable settings, and reformatted emails to prevent phishing. Supports two-way synchronization and provides Pro features for additional customization.

    43 FairEmail alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
     
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    2
    12
    Comments about FairEmail as an Alternative to Thunderbird
    ByteRanger
    Negative
    -3

    While I do use FairEmail on my mobile devices and like it, it is not a valid alternative to Thunderbird which is for desktop platforms.

    Guest
    Negative
    -8

    wrong platform. FairEmail is not an alternative for Thunderbird users because it only runs on android. Thunderbird is for desktop operating systems only.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Thunderbird Icon
    FairEmail icon
    • Most users think FairEmail is a great Thunderbird alternative.

    • FairEmail is Freemium and Open SourceThunderbird is Free and Open Source
    • FairEmail is LightweightThunderbird is not according to our users
  11. Mailbird icon
     307 likes
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    Streamline your email experience by managing multiple accounts, integrating apps like Slack and Google Calendar, and using AI-driven features like drafting and spam prevention. Customize your workspace with themes, notifications, and tools for improved productivity and a modern interface.

    64 Mailbird alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once or Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
     
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    4
    61
    Comments about Mailbird as an Alternative to Thunderbird
    Guest
    Negative
    11

    Mailbird is missing most of the features which Thunderbird offers, like encryption and plugins

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Ian James
    Positive
    0

    Clean interface, much faster than Thunderbird. One touch unsubcribe is a nice touch and adding new accounts is a breeze

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Great design. Great features

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 4 comments
    Thunderbird Icon
    Mailbird icon
    • Some users think Mailbird is a great Thunderbird alternative, some don't.

    • Mailbird is Freemium and ProprietaryThunderbird is Free and Open Source
  12. Mailspring icon
     113 likes
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    Boost your productivity and send better email with Mailspring, a beautiful, fast email client for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Mailspring is free to use and an optional pro version adds read receipts, send later, reminders and more.

    43 Mailspring alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    • Fedora
    • Ubuntu
     
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    7
    29
    Comments about Mailspring as an Alternative to Thunderbird
    Top Positive Comment
    3psilon
    1

    Great alternative, especially for casual users. Simple, streamlined UI, feels fresh.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    60

    Need to create an account on a third-party company to access your email.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Matt Schaefer
    Negative
    0

    Unable to even find an address book or ability to import a csv file from previous mail client. You lose me when things are made so "modern-clean" that I have to consult a manual or Google things.

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    3 of 7 comments
    Thunderbird Icon
    Mailspring icon
    • Most users think Mailspring is a great Thunderbird alternative.

    • Mailspring is Freemium and Open SourceThunderbird is Free and Open Source
  13. Spark Mail icon
     137 likes
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    E-mail app with all the great features: swipes (long/short), snooze, add (multiple) attachments from the cloud, support for various e-mail services and more.

    62 Spark Mail alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
     
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    2
    19
    Comments about Spark Mail as an Alternative to Thunderbird
    folkomaton
    Positive
    0

    Free, simple, reliable, easy to manage multiple accounts, fair amount of customization, synchronisation, templates

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    rmpbklyn
    Negative
    -3

    no sorting, dont show allmail for gmail

    Thunderbird Icon
    Spark Mail icon
    • Most users think Spark Mail is a great Thunderbird alternative.

    • Spark Mail is Freemium and ProprietaryThunderbird is Free and Open Source
12 of 69 Thunderbird alternatives