Email Client
Thunderbird
Open-source email client with OpenPGP and S/MIME support
Thunderbird is a email client with strong privacy options. It helps you keep more control over your data.
Overview
Thunderbird is like Outlook or Apple Mail, but with much better privacy. It's an email program that you install on your computer to read and send emails, but it doesn't collect your data, doesn't track you, and doesn't show you ads. Thunderbird includes features like email management, calendar, contacts, and add-ons for extra functionality. The program is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux and is completely free. Thunderbird is open source, meaning anyone can check the code, and is made by the Mozilla Foundation. It's perfect for people who want to manage their email privately without relying on web-based email services that may track usage.
Privacy highlight
Privacy-focused email client with PGP . , no , . Complete control over email.
Quick facts
- Country:
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Pricing:
- Free
- Platform:
- Desktop
- Technical:
- Beginner
- :
- No
- :
- Basic telemetry
- :
- Yes
- Open-source status:
- Fully open source
- :
- No
- :
- Yes
Key features
- Email client with strong privacy options.
Security & encryption Click to expand
- No
- Encryption protocols
- TLS/SSL, OpenPGP, S/MIME
- Thunderbird uses keys for email when using PGP or S/MIME. keys are managed by users and stored locally on the device. Thunderbird uses standard email protocols (PGP, S/MIME) for encrypted emails. The application does not have access to keys as they are managed locally.
- Offline support
- Yes
Telemetry & tracking Click to expand
- Basic telemetry
- No
- Ip minimal
- Thunderbird collects minimal data for application improvement. The service collects basic usage statistics including app version and platform. Thunderbird does not collect email content, user identifiers, or personal information. data is anonymized and aggregated. Users can disable through settings.
Jurisdiction & compliance Click to expand
- Thunderbird is developed by the Mozilla Foundation, which is based in the United States. The application does not store user data on servers, so there is no central data residency. All email data and preferences are stored locally on user devices. The service operates under US privacy laws.
- Thunderbird does not retain user data on servers. All email data and preferences are stored locally on the user's device. The application does not log IP addresses or collect personal information. Users can delete the application and all associated data at any time. The service operates with no or retention.
- Legal frameworks
- GDPR, CCPA (where applicable).
- Revenue sources
- Donations, Enterprise
Editorial signals Click to expand
- 80
- Trust score
- 85
- Trust breakdown (0–10)
- Encryption: 95, Audits: 85, Open source: 95, Telemetry: 90, Jurisdiction: 70, Transparency: 90, Trackers: 100
- Editorial notes
- Usability: 85, Performance: 80, Family friendly: 90
User experience Click to expand
- Signup requirements
- none
- Onboarding difficulty (1-5)
- 1
- Accessibility features
- Supports keyboard shortcuts, screen readers, and high-contrast themes; accessibility depends on your operating system settings.
Backup & portability Click to expand
- Yes
- Migration tools
- Import from other email clients, Data export tools
- Local backup recovery