I have been on the lookout for a killer electronic mail app, and this could be 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. Should you do most of your emailing on Home windows, you may know the battle of looking for a very good electronic mail consumer.

Outlook is bloated (and stuffed with adverts in case you’re utilizing it without cost), 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 appears slightly dated and packs too many options I’ve by no means wanted to make use of.

What I wished was easy: a clear, trendy, quick, and free electronic mail consumer for Home windows that does not bury me in muddle or adverts. After spending a while making an attempt out totally 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 incorrect. Thunderbird continues to be extensively used and actively maintained, however its legacy design and sluggish replace rollout typically weigh it down. Betterbird, alternatively, takes the identical open-source basis and makes it sharper, sooner, and simpler to make use of.

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

Why Betterbird stands out

No adverts and no pointless options

The place Outlook pushes adverts and further companies, Betterbird focuses on the necessities. It is a cross-platform electronic mail consumer that runs on Home windows, Linux, and macOS, nevertheless it feels particularly refreshing on Home windows, the place respectable free purchasers may be tough to search out.

The very first thing you might discover is Betterbird’s efficiency. It launches shortly, 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 generally forces you thru a number of complicated re-authentication hoops. Should 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 most likely 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. Should you’re used to Gmail-style shortcuts, don’t fret — you’ll be able to map them immediately in Betterbird. It feels trendy sufficient to be recent, 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. Should you want calendars or job lists, they’re built-in, however they do not dominate the interface. Every function feels sensible, moderately than bolted on, which is the sensation I get once I use Thunderbird these days.

Actually free and open-source

With energetic updates and group assist

Betterbird would not disguise its performance behind paywalls, nor does it muddle your inbox with adverts. It is totally open-source software program, funded by consumer donations, and pushed by the philosophy that electronic mail needs to be a dependable and accessible software.

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

Considered one of Thunderbird’s largest criticisms has been the tempo of updates. Butterbird tackles this by releasing fixes and refinements rather more shortly. 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 may possibly generally really feel prefer it’s ready for Thunderbird’s subsequent huge transfer earlier than it may possibly adapt. Documentation can be thinner in comparison with Thunderbird, so you might sometimes have to dig by means of boards for solutions to your issues. And whereas the UI is cleaner than Thunderbird, it isn’t as minimal as trendy Mac-style electronic mail purchasers. Should you’re anticipating Apple Mail simplicity, Betterbird nonetheless leans towards Microsoft power-user territory.