Comparison · Email clients
Mail vs Thunderbird: which is better in 2026?
Thunderbird ranks higher in our list of email clients (#1 against #6, score 91.0 against 84.0).
- 84.0Editorial score91.0
- 2Platforms3
- YesFree to useYes
- NoOpen sourceYes
Which should you choose?
Choose Mail if you want
Email on Apple devices with no extra app.
Built into Mac and iPhone at no cost and needs no download on Apple devices. It has no Windows or Android version, so it is limited to Apple users.
Choose Thunderbird if you want
Free desktop email with calendar and contacts.
Free, open source and includes calendar and contacts on Windows, Linux and macOS. It has no phone app of its own, and Thunderbird for Android is a separate project.
The main differences
- Only Thunderbird runs on Linux.
- Only Thunderbird runs on Windows.
- Only Mail runs on iOS.
- Thunderbird is open source; Mail is not.
Side by side
 Mail |  Thunderbird | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 84.0 | 91.0 |
| Rank in list | #6 of 10 | #1 of 10 |
| Price | FreeIncluded with Mac and iOS at no extra cost | FreeFree to download and use; supported by donations |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Platforms | macOSiOSmacOS, iOS | WindowsmacOSLinuxWindows, macOS, Linux |
| Made by | Apple | Not stated |
| Phone app | Yes | No |
| Best for | Email on Apple devices with no extra app | Free desktop email with calendar and contacts |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about Mail vs Thunderbird
- Is Thunderbird better than Mail?
- Thunderbird ranks higher in our list of email clients (#1 against #6, score 91.0 against 84.0). Mail is best for: email on Apple devices with no extra app. Thunderbird is best for: free desktop email with calendar and contacts.
- Which is cheaper, Mail or Thunderbird?
- Mail: Included with Mac and iOS at no extra cost. Thunderbird: Free to download and use; supported by donations.
- Do Mail and Thunderbird run on the same platforms?
- Mail supports macOS, iOS. Thunderbird supports Windows, macOS, Linux.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.
