Guide: Mozilla Thunderbird vs Mailbird: Comparison and Review
Mailbird and Mozilla Thunderbird are two popular email clients, each offering unique features. Mailbird is renowned for its modern interface and support for social media tools and apps, while Thunderbird offers an unlimited number of email accounts plus a range of extra features.
Mozilla Thunderbird and Mailbird are two popular email clients, but which one is right for you? We compare the key features of both apps to help you decide.
Having an overflowing inbox can be overwhelming, but a good email client can help you stay on top of it. With features like sorting and filtering, these programs make managing your emails easier and more efficient. Get ready to take control of your inbox.
Interface and initial configuration
Mailbird offers a modern, intuitive interface with icons that make navigating the program easy. Though it may take some time to get used to, once you do, using Mailbird is effortless and provides a minimalist experience free of clutter.
The email app lacks a tabbed view, meaning users must open each message individually to read them in either a vertical or horizontal window.
Mailbird offers a dedicated third panel for integrating third-party apps, allowing users to access services like Facebook and Slack without having to switch between two apps.
Mozilla has given Thunderbird a makeover, but its interface still appears somewhat outdated. Nevertheless, it compensates with plenty of intuitive buttons.
The tabbed view of emails makes it easier to keep track of different conversations.
Mailbird proved to be the more intuitive choice when it came to setting up: simply enter your email address and the app will automatically detect and configure POP or IMAP settings.
Setting up Thunderbird can be time-consuming and often results in an unnecessary “wrong password” message. To avoid this, users must manually select the settings during configuration.
Common Features
1. Filter system
No inbox is ever truly empty - spam messages are a fact of life. To combat them, Mozilla Thunderbird offers users the ability to create filters that can be tailored to their needs. These filters can be adjusted to block emails from certain senders, with specific subjects, or of a certain size. Once set up, users can choose what action they want taken when these criteria are met.
Mailbird does not offer any filters or rules, meaning users must rely on their email provider’s settings to manage incoming messages.
2. Contact manager
Mailbird’s Contact Manager makes managing contacts easy, thanks to its user-friendly interface. With just one click, you can sync contacts from any account and even link your Facebook account to show profile pictures. Plus, you can view all emails sent by a contact with a single click on their photo.
Thunderbird’s contact manager, Address Book, offers two options: Personal Address Book and Collected Addresses.
This address book allows users to easily import contacts from Outlook and Outlook Express, as well as .vcf and .txt formats.
3. Attachments: size and Features
Sending large emails is not recommended, but if you must, both Gmail and Mailbird have default limits to keep your files safe. Thunderbird will detect the file size when adding and give you the option to upload via Firelink.
Users can choose to either upload files to Firelink and add a link in the email body, or attach the attachments directly.
4. Add multiple accounts
Thunderbird stands out for its ability to easily manage multiple accounts, enabling users to link an unlimited number of mailboxes and enjoy a unified mailbox experience.
Setting up multiple accounts in your mailbox can be a bit of a challenge, but once you’ve connected them, you can access all your emails for free. Just like with Microsoft Mail, the accounts will appear as folders that you can open with a single click.
Mailbird’s ‘Multiple Accounts’ feature is only available with the Pro version, meaning users of the Lite version can only add one account at a time - a major disappointment.
Uncommon Features
1. Ads and Upgrade Prompts
Thunderbird is a favorite among users for its lack of ads and popups, as well as its no-upgrade policy. It assumes users are content with the app as-is.
Mailbird’s free version displays ads prompting users to upgrade to Pro. An ‘Upgrade now’ ad also appears in the lower right corner of the home page.
2. Quick preview of attachment
Mailbird’s Quick Preview feature lets you quickly view attachments with a single right-click. Get a snapshot of any attachment in seconds, without having to open it.
Pressing the spacebar opens the attachment in a new window.
Mailbird Pro users have exclusive access to Quick Preview, a feature that allows them to quickly view emails without opening them.
3. Plug-ins and app integration
Mailbird makes it easy to integrate third-party apps into your email experience. With a wide selection of popular apps like Google Docs, Google Calendar, Slack and Whatsapp available, you can quickly access them with just one click. Plus, when you link a Gmail account to Mailbird, you don’t have to log in again for Docs or Calendar - they open up in a new window with no extra effort.
The WhatsApp integration allows users to keep up with their conversations without leaving the app, making it easier to stay on top of messages.
Thunderbird users can enhance their emailing experience with plugins and add-ons, such as G-Hub Lite for Google Docs and Calendar integration.
After a few extra steps, users of Thunderbird can finally access the program. However, the process is more complicated than necessary and offers limited options.
Mailbird offers a comprehensive suite of apps, including Dropbox, Google Drive, Feedly, Todoist, Wunderlist and Slack. It’s the ultimate one-stop shop for all your productivity needs.
4. Snooze option
Mailbird’s Snooze feature makes it easy to manage emails, allowing users to reschedule them for a later time. When the designated time arrives, the email appears as a new message in the inbox, making it simple to respond in batches.
Thunderbird lacks a snooze feature, making it difficult to have an immersive experience. To remind yourself to reply to emails, you must either set up an event on your calendar or use a third-party add-on.
Shortcuts
Mailbird offers keyboard shortcuts to quickly access frequently used options, such as C for Compose and Space for Quick View (attachment).
Thunderbird embraces a classic approach, requiring users to press the Ctrl key for various functions. For instance, pressing Ctrl + N opens a new message window, while Ctrl + R initiates a reply.
Tame the inbox
Choosing the right email client can make managing your mailbox easier. Thunderbird and Mailbird are both great options, but which one is best?
If you’re after a modern email client with plenty of features, Mailbird is worth a look. However, many of its bells and whistles – such as multiple accounts, Speed Reader and Preview attachments – are only available with a paid subscription costing $12 per year.
Mozilla Thunderbird is free, but users must accept an outdated interface and lack of app integrations and updates.
Mozilla Thunderbird vs Mailbird: Comparison and Review: benefits
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Final note
Mozilla Thunderbird and Mailbird are two popular email clients, and this guide provides a comparison and review of the two. If you have any questions about the article, please reach out to us. We’d also appreciate it if you shared it with your friends!
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