I have been on the lookout for a killer e-mail app, and this is perhaps it

I do most of my emailing from my iPhone using Apple Mail. On my MacBook, I use Apple Mail once more, however I’ve at all times struggled to discover a solid email client for Windows. When you do most of your emailing on Home windows, you may know the wrestle of looking for a great e-mail shopper.

Outlook is bloated (and full of adverts in the event you’re utilizing it free of charge), Microsoft has killed off Home windows Mail, and browser-based purchasers are messy at finest. Thunderbird was my open-source alternative for years, however in 2025, I really feel it seems to be a little bit dated and packs too many options I’ve by no means wanted to make use of.

What I wished was easy: a clear, fashionable, quick, and free e-mail shopper for Home windows that does not bury me in litter or adverts. After spending a while making an attempt out completely different e-mail purchasers, I’ve lastly discovered my favourite: meet Betterbird.

What’s Betterbird?

An up to date Thunderbird

Betterbird is a fork of Mozilla Thunderbird, constructed by its builders with one objective: fixing what Thunderbird will get mistaken. Thunderbird continues to be broadly used and actively maintained, however its legacy design and sluggish replace rollout usually weigh it down. Betterbird, however, takes the identical open-source basis and makes it sharper, quicker, and simpler to make use of.

The challenge describes itself as a “higher Thunderbird,” and, after utilizing it for some time, that is exactly what it feels wish to me.

Why Betterbird stands out

No adverts and no pointless options

The place Outlook pushes adverts and additional companies, Betterbird focuses on the necessities. It is a cross-platform e-mail shopper that runs on Home windows, Linux, and macOS, but it surely feels particularly refreshing on Home windows, the place respectable free purchasers could be troublesome to search out.

The very first thing it’s possible you’ll discover is Betterbird’s efficiency. It launches rapidly, handles a number of inboxes with out lag, and makes navigating between folders and calendars painless. It takes the Thunderbird core and trims a few of the fats.

Including accounts in Betterbird is quick and easy. From POP to IMAP and Change, all main companies are supported — not like Outlook, which typically forces you thru a number of complicated re-authentication hoops. When you’re coming from Thunderbird, the expertise will really feel acquainted, however the enhancements — like cleaner account administration and fewer bugs — shall be instantly noticeable.

Options that matter

No bloat

Whereas Betterbird in all probability will not win any design awards for minimalism, the app does handle to strike a stability that Thunderbird by no means totally managed. The format is clear, totally customizable, and responsive. There’s correct darkish mode assist, together with the power to tone down blinding white emails so that they’re simpler on the eyes.

Themes are additionally supported, so you’ll be able to tweak the interface to your liking. When you’re used to Gmail-style shortcuts, don’t be concerned — you’ll be able to map them immediately in Betterbird. It feels fashionable sufficient to be contemporary, with out making an attempt to reinvent the e-mail app.

All of the necessities are lined by Betterbird, like scheduled sending, labels, filters, and guidelines. When you want calendars or process lists, they’re built-in, however they do not dominate the interface. Every function feels sensible, fairly than bolted on, which is the sensation I get after I use Thunderbird these days.

Actually free and open-source

With energetic updates and neighborhood assist

Betterbird does not conceal its performance behind paywalls, nor does it litter your inbox with adverts. It is totally open-source software program, funded by consumer donations, and pushed by the philosophy that e-mail must be a dependable and accessible device.

I discover this to be a refreshing distinction to Microsoft Outlook, which feels extra like a funnel into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, which holds fundamental multi-account assist hostage until you pay to improve. With Betterbird, every thing you see is what you get, it packs full performance from the second you employ the installer.

One in every of Thunderbird’s greatest criticisms has been the tempo of updates. Butterbird tackles this by releasing fixes and refinements far more rapidly. Bug fixes which will take months in Thunderbird are inclined to arrive a lot sooner in Betterbird, which, for me, makes it really feel extra polished on a day-to-day foundation.

All of this is not to say that Betterbird is ideal. As a result of it is a fork, it will possibly typically really feel prefer it’s ready for Thunderbird’s subsequent large transfer earlier than it will possibly adapt. Documentation can also be thinner in comparison with Thunderbird, so it’s possible you’ll often must dig via boards for solutions to your issues. And whereas the UI is cleaner than Thunderbird, it is not as minimal as fashionable Mac-style e-mail purchasers. When you’re anticipating Apple Mail simplicity, Betterbird nonetheless leans towards Microsoft power-user territory.