What is Mozilla Thunderbird?
Mozilla Thunderbird is a free and open platform to manage multiple emails in one platform or one PC. It is launched by Mozilla Foundation in the year 2004. It is a desktop-based email client that stores emails in MBOX file format. It runs on various operating systems like Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. Thunderbird saves its data in local drive –
C:\Users\admin\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\gtj37ogy.default\Mail\email1.xyz.in"
Features of Thunderbird Email Client
- User Interface: Simple handling interface. You can change the look of the interface with thousands of places, tattoos, etc.
- Email account setup: It provides you the facility to manage email accounts with POP3, IMAP, and SSL/TLS.
- Address book: Provides easy access to address book to add or edit contacts.
- Multiple chat: You can choose multiple chat options like Facebook, Google Talk, Twitter, IRC, etc. with Thunderbird.
- Multiple email tabs: You can get a separate tab for managing multiple emails with Thunderbird.
- Search: Easy search options are provided by Thunderbird. It redirects you to web browser.
- Quick filters: You can filter your emails according to the email address, sender address, etc.
- Archive: You can easily save emails in an archive folder without deleting and appearing in Inbox.
- File management: Easy uploading of large files on the web storage site.
- Add-ons: Thunderbird provides direct add-ons. You don’t need to visit a website for add-ons.
- Spam filters: Junk mail filters are provided by Thunderbird that filter your Inbox and directly send them into the spam folder.
- Customize email address: It provides you the facility to customize your email addresses for receiving and sending emails.
- Open platform: It is an open-source platform. You can run it on various OS like Mac, Windows, Linux, etc.
- Set Privacy: Users can set privacy settings and block remote images.
Protocols used by Thunderbird
POP – Basic protocol for email retrieval.
IMAP – default protocol for fetching messages
LDAP – Address completion
S/MIME – Provides email encryption and signing
OpenPGP - supported through extensions like Enigmail
Pros of Thunderbird Mail Client
- Open-source and customizable application
- Smart searches, tabbed email browsing, etc. features to organize your messages
Cons of Thunderbird Mail Client
- It is a desktop-based application and can’t synchronize directly with mobile devices.
- It is not a highly secure email client
Comparison of Thunderbird with Outlook
| Features | Thunderbird | Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix, & BSD | Windows and Mac OS |
| USB portable for file transfer | Yes | No |
| Sharing profile between Windows & Linux | Yes | No |
| Network News Transfer Protocol | Supported | Not Supported |
| Usenet News Reader | Supported | Not supported |
| Localization | 53 languages | 96 languages |
| MS Exchange Server Protocol | Yes | Supported |
| Email merge | Yes | Yes |
| Follow up attribute | No | Yes (Don’t reply, Don’t forward) |
| File Types | Txt, PDF | Txt, PDF, DOC |
| Email Category | No | Yes |
| View more than one calendar | No | Yes |
| Automatic add contact to address book | Yes | No |
| Attach files to contact | No | Yes |
| Email Voting | No | Yes |
| Task | Yes | Yes |
| RSS Feed | Yes | Yes |
| Store multiple phone no. | No | Yes |
| Network News Transfer Protocol | Supported | Not supported |
| Smart Folder | Supported | Not supported |
| Encrypt Email | Not supported | Supported |
| Cloud version | Not supported | Supported |
| File TypesSeparation of Files and Data | Supported | Supported |
Conclusion
After reading this article, you can easily know what Mozilla Thunderbird is. We have also discussed the comparison between Mozilla Thunderbird and Outlook. You can easily analyze both the email clients and choose them. The main difference is Thunderbird is free but Outlook is paid. Also, Thunderbird manages multiple accounts and access emails when you are offline however Outlook provides facility to manage your emails from a mail server.

