Mozilla Thunderbird for Mac

Used Mozilla Thunderbird for Mac?

Mozilla Thunderbird Analysis

AI Assisted Content · July 14, 2026

Not written by CNET Staff.

Mozilla Thunderbird is a free email client designed for Mac users, offering a robust set of features for managing emails efficiently. It supports multiple accounts, allowing seamless integration of various email services, and provides advanced organization tools such as folders, tags, and filters. The interface is user-friendly, making it accessible for both novice and experienced users.

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In addition to standard email functionalities, Thunderbird includes built-in chat features, support for calendar integration, and a powerful search tool to quickly locate messages. Its extensible nature allows users to customize their experience with add-ons and themes, enhancing functionality and aesthetics. Security is also a priority, with features like junk mail filters and phishing protection to keep users safe.

Mozilla Thunderbird for Mac

Used Mozilla Thunderbird for Mac?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: October 19, 2020

Latest update: July 14, 2026

Version: 78.3.3

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Mac

Operating System: Mac OS X

Additional Requirements

macOS Big Sur
macOS Catalina
macOS Mojave
macOS High Sierra
macOS Sierra
OS X El Capitan
OS X Yosemite
OS X Mavericks
OS X Mountain Lion

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 32,337

Downloads Last Week: 2

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Last Updated

User Reviews

1.8/5

13 User Votes

Couldn't try it. Server not found.
JoshxyMarch 4, 2016
Pros
A good description
Cons
but it wasn't downloadable
Summary
100% failure.
I click on it. It crashes within 60 seconds.
frspMay 18, 2015
Pros
It runs nicely on my MacBookPro laptop running OSX 10.10.3.
Cons
It crashes before I can even download new messages on my desktop running OSX 10.10.3 (Yosemite). Notifications to Mozilla are not answered.
Summary
Worst Mail Client Ever
peerwnMarch 30, 2015
Pros
None......
Cons
Resource hog. It uses 900MB RAM and 100% CPU on a 8GB RAM i7 MacBook. Drains the battery because it's a resource hog Extremely slow and sluggish, takes ove 30 seconds to open a dir once clicked Needs to be force-closed every time because they can't code Quit to work Performs extremely badly with a lot of emails (I have over 10M - work emails) No support from the community or Mozilla, they blame the end user for their lack of being able to write code for OS X.
Summary
Horrible client. Mac Mail does a 5xx better job than this, and that's saying a lot since the Yosemite Mail is an epic fail also. At least I have webmail to fall back to. Why no decent mail client for Mac in 2015?
Blows Apple Mail away, at least as a gmail client
berksguy2010January 25, 2014
Pros
Fast, effective gmail client. Free and open source.
Cons
No cons. It's free. It's free.
Summary
Good, but not fully replacing Eudora.
Fusco_DFebruary 16, 2013
Pros
easy to install. works fast.
Cons
I'm missing several interesting features of Eudora, still my favorite email client: - redirecting (extremely useful) - on server & delete from server - multiple signatures (add-on doesn't work well) - very important to me: Thunderbird doesn't allow changing an incoming message (e.g. removing unneeded space, correcting typos) Moving a message out of in-box should delete it on server: doesn't always work.
Summary
Didn'd find anything better yet to replace good old Eudora Mail
"Mac OS X 10.5 is no longer supported"
f5mandoNovember 24, 2012
Pros
Zero 'pros' for anyone with Mac OS X 10.5, obviously.
Cons
"Mac OS X 10.5 is no longer supported"
Summary
Nice abandonment move, Mr Mozilla. Thanks very little for keeping us out of the loop.
Sorry, Mozilla - You lost control of the code..
khflottorpNovember 16, 2012
Pros
It works fine with MacOS 10.6.8 - Snow Leopard, those who cannot install it has a problem with their config. IMAP - e.g. to Gmail works fine. POP/POP3 to ISP works fine Lots of Add-ons, including stationary, "Quicktext" that allows fast insertion of standard phrases, variables - such as "Date", "Sender" - had it all worked it would be excellent. Version 16 supports chat, and replace iChat, Lightening, the calendar software is good. Version 17 - tested a beta version, is bigger and slower.
Cons
It contains numerous bugs, some are related to the interface to the indexing file system, most to silly large meta-database in iSQL with multiple definition of the same things - such as a Deleted message can be read/unread - and a read message, can that also be :new" - makes me wonder if anyone is in charge of design. The result is an email client that introduce inconsistencies to the extent that it looses data - messages are lost, entire folder of messages gets lost. File a bug report, and you get a confused developer that doubts your issue, and claims "this has been solved in the next release" - and then add on more functionality.
Summary
If you need an email client with tons of functionality, numerous chat protocols, gimmicks, bells and whistles, this is perfect. But a code that used to be good, stable and reliable is moving out of control.
Doesn't matter > still does not work on 10.6.8
BadattJuly 20, 2012
Pros
Have used Thunderbird for over a year, but now ???
Cons
Dropped Outlook for Thunderbird. After upgrading yesterday to 14.0 > Now back to Outlook. Come on gentlemen - VERY UNSTABLE, would suggest NOT to D/L this until all bugs are fixed. Run mouse over messages and they disappear - Kind of feel like a magician. When I say disappear, I don't mean not available, you just can't see the subject on the top 2 or 3 messages. Then God forbid you page down, it is all screwed up!!! System OS X Leopard Version 10.6.8
Summary
Suggest waiting until bugs are fixed!
Does what it should!
alexndrwJanuary 31, 2012
Pros
Works fine on all email accounts I need to access. Sharing Calendar extension a major plus.
Cons
Still crashes now and again. Synchronising Tasks should be enabled. Otherwise it'd be a 5 star rating
Summary
Excellent tool to download, organise and Search your emails. Set-up not for newbies or those too lazy to read instructions!
under Mac OS 10.7 it's become a pain
supernoviOctober 7, 2011
Pros
Independent from all Apple OS data gathering
Cons
Server time out, slow, chrashes - there must be better software out there.
Summary

Developer’s Description

Take advantage of best-adapted, highly customizable, lightning-fast, safely secured, and private email experience.

Mozilla Thunderbird makes e-mailing safer, faster, and easier with such features as intelligent spam filters, a built-in RSS reader, and quick search. Thunderbird was designed to prevent viruses and to stop junk mail. Thunderbird includes tabbed e-mail, new search tools and indexing, smart folders, support for Firefox's Personas, a simplified setup wizard, and robust junk protections that include phishing and spam filters.