“Lifetime” Purchase Fiasco – 6 Best Alternatives to Mailbird in 2024

“Lifetime” Purchase Fiasco – 6 Best Alternatives to Mailbird in 2024

Mailbird came under fire recently, after the company refused to honor the licenses they have sold in the past. Check the 6 best alternatives to Mailbird.

Alex Simmons

Alex Simmons | Jan 1, 2024 | 10 mins read

Table of Contents

If you’re a Windows user, you may be using Mailbird as your email client of choice. While Mailbird offers a set of useful features for efficient email management and organization, it may be limiting for some users.

💡 The main reason why some users are looking for an alternative to Mailbird is its inherent lack of cross-platform versatility and compatibility. Since Mailbird is only available as a desktop app for Windows, it may not be enough to meet some people’s emailing needs.

In this article, we’ve reviewed some of the top Mailbird alternatives that can help you create a more versatile and efficient email experience across multiple operating systems and modes of use.

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Why Do You Need a Mailbird Alternative?

(Hint: Compatibility ⚙️)

Mailbird is a desktop email client designed specifically for Microsoft Windows, compatible with Windows 7 and all later versions of the Windows operating system. Maibird has been on the market for over 10 years, with its initial release in April 2013. 

However, the fact that it has existed for quite some time doesn’t make it the best email client on the market. In fact, some users may find Mailbird quite limiting, especially if they’re looking to switch from Windows to another operating system. 

Here are a few reasons why you may need an alternative to Mailbird: 

  • Mailbird works only on Windows: If you’re planning on switching your operating system to macOS or something else, you’ll need to find another email client that works on your preferred operating system. 
  • Mailbird works only as a desktop app: You can only use Mailbird as a desktop app. If you want to access your inbox on the go or from a different device (for example, your friend’s computer or your iPhone), you’ll need a different email client.  
  • Mailbird has violated your license agreement: Some users have expressed dissatisfaction after Mailbird’s update to the most recent version, Mailbird 3.0. Although they’ve bought a lifetime license, Mailbird’s new update forces them to pay for a new license, which causes them to look for alternatives.  

Disclaimer: Mailbird for Mac is currently under development. 

mailbird alternatives

🛠️ Mailbird Features

Mailbird stands out with its elegant design and support for various email providers. Aside from that, the app offers a range of handy features, such as: 

  • Customizable email workspaces & templates
  • Native calendar app
  • AI-powered email authoring 
  • Centralized email management
  • Message snoozing
  • Speed reading technology
  • Attachment search
  • Multilanguage support

👍🏻 Pros:

  • Seamless integration with a wide range of apps, including WhatsApp, Twitter, Dropbox, and more.
    Customizable layout and appearance to suit your personal preferences.
    Supports multiple accounts and offers a unified inbox.
    Integrates with various email providers, such as Gmail and Outlook.

👎🏻 Cons:

  • It’s a desktop client, so there’s no mobile app available.
    Some advanced features are only available in the paid version.
    Works only on Windows

💰 Mailbird Pricing

Mailbird is free to download and use. It has two paid plans: the Standard Pay One plan at $99 and the Premium Pay Once plan at $399. Both plans give you lifetime access to Mailbird’s premium features.

💬 Mailbird Reviews

Capterra Rating: 4.4/5

G2 Rating: 3.8/5

Top 6 Most Versatile Maibird Alternatives in 2024

If you’re a Mailbird user, you may find it quite limiting in terms of compatibility across devices. What’s more, you may have discovered that your lifetime license agreement has been violated with Mailbird’s most recent version update. 

The good news is that you don’t need to stick to Mailbird forever. There are plenty of Mailbird alternatives that offer greater functionality, better compatibility, and a more reliable license agreement.

Here are the top 6 versatile and reliable Mailbird alternatives in 2024. If you don’t want or have the time to read it all, skip ahead to the comparative table at the bottom of the article.

1. Canary Mail – Best Mailbird Alternative Overall ✅

alternatives to mailbird

Canary Mail is the most advanced email client on the market, focused on email productivity and efficient management. 

Unlike Mailbird, Canary Mail is very versatile when it comes to its availability for different platforms and operating systems. You can use Canary Mail as a desktop app for macOS and Windows, a mobile app for iOS and Android, or even a Chrome extension. 

What’s more, Canary Mail offers a set of features for streamlined email management that Mailbird lacks. For instance, it offers AI-powered capabilities that allow users to write better emails, spot important messages, and manage their emails in a smarter and more efficient way.

🛠️ Canary Mail Features

All in all, Canary Mail helps you stay organized and productive while ensuring that no critical updates go unseen, thanks to the list of its unique features, such as: 

👍🏻 Pros:

👎🏻 Cons:

  • It may take time to learn 
    Not available as a web-based platform
    Some might find the AI suggestions either too intrusive or unnecessary

💰 Canary Mail Pricing

Canary Mail offers a free forever plan for personal use. Our paid plans start at $49 per year. 

💬 Canary Mail Reviews

Capterra Rating: 4.7/5

G2 Rating: 4.4./5 

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Supercharge your email productivity and focus on what really matters.

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2. Gmail – Best for Sending Emails on the Go

mailbird alternative

Gmail is the most popular free email service created by Google, with over 1.8 billion active users worldwide. Gmail is part of Google Workspace, along with other Google apps like Docs, Sheets, Calendar, Meet, and Drive. Gmail integrates perfectly with Google’s ecosystem, making your email experience more efficient. 

What’s more, you can use Gmail on any device since it’s a simple web-based platform accessible from any browser. So, unlike Mailbird, you can access your Gmail inbox on the go – anywhere, anytime, from any device. 

🛠️ Gmail Features

Gmail is renowned for its intuitive interface, ease of use, and mobile app, making it easy to access your inbox on the go. Here are some of its features: 

  • 15GB of storage on the free version
  • Spam filtering and malware detection 
  • Advanced phishing protection
  • Confidential mode
  • Integrations with other Google apps

👍🏻 Pros:

  • Easy to set up
  • Intuitive interface
  • Mobile app
  • Offline mode
  • Advanced security features
  • Mobile app

👎🏻 Cons:

  • Lack of end-to-end encryption
  • Concerns over data collection & usage
  • Limited customization
  • Dependence on the Google ecosystem
  • No desktop app

💰 Gmail Pricing

Gmail is free to use. However, for more advanced features and a custom email domain, you’ll need a Google Workspace subscription, which starts at $6 per user per month.

💬 Gmail Reviews

Capterra Rating: 4.8/5
G2 Rating: 4.6/5

3. Microsoft Outlook – Best for Microsoft Suite Users

best alternative to mailbird

Outlook is a free email provider by Microsoft that seamlessly integrates with other apps from the Microsoft Office 365 suite. Microsoft Outlook is more than an inbox. It brings together email, calendar, contacts, attachments, and more. 

If you’re already using tools from the Microsoft Office 365 suite or planning on doing so, Outlook will be a great Mailbird alternative for you. What’s more, Outlook can be used in various modalities, such as a web platform, a desktop app for Mac and Windows, or a mobile app for iOS and Android. 

🛠️ Outlook Features

Outlook supports multiple accounts, and its built-in analytic engine automatically prioritizes important emails based on your communication patterns. Aside from that, it offers other handy features like:

  • Scheduling emails
  • Do Not Disturb settings
  • A focused inbox to prioritize important emails
  • Quick swipe controls
  • Smart folders

👍🏻 Pros:

  • Seamless integration with the Office 365 suite
  • Email and calendar apps are completely free
  • Available for Windows, Mac, web and mobile
  • Enterprise-grade security

👎🏻 Cons:

  • Some users may find the interface less intuitive compared to other email apps
  • The search function could be improved, as some users report difficulties in finding specific emails

💰 Outlook Pricing

Outlook is free to use. However, it has multiple plans for the Microsoft 365 subscription, starting at $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year. 

💬 Outlook Reviews

Capterra Rating: 4.5/5

G2 Rating: 4.5/5

4. eM Client – Best for an Abundance of Features

mailbird alternatives

eM Client is a feature-rich email client that focuses on providing its users with the most productive email experience with features like an integrated chat, snooze email option, email templates, and advanced email rules and filters. Aside from that, eM Client offers a unified inbox, a sleek user interface, and advanced security features. 

Although it can’t be used as a web platform, eM Client is available for download on various operating systems. You can use eM Client on Mac and Windows. The mobile modalities for iOS and Android are currently in beta version. 

🛠️ eM Client Features

eM Client is a great choice for users who want a feature-rich email client that supports a wide range of email services, like Gmail, Exchange, iCloud, and Outlook. Some of the features eM Client offers are: 

  • An integrated chat
  • Advanced email rules and filters
  • A built-in calendar and tasks module
  • Message encryption for increased safety
  • Snooze emails 
  • Schedule emails
  • Undo send
  • Built-in translation tools and spell-checker
  • Secure communication protocols like SSL/TLS email encryption

👍🏻 Pros:

  • Simple and easy to use
  • Rich in features for streamlined communication
  • Supports a wide range of email services
  • Advanced email rules and filters for efficient email management

👎🏻 Cons:

  • The free version is limited to two email accounts
  • Some users report issues with large volumes of email
  • No mobile app (in beta version at the moment)
  • Can’t be used as a web app

💰 eM Client Pricing

eM Client is free for personal and non-commercial use. There are two pro versions, starting at $29.95 (one-time payment per device).

💬 eM Client Reviews

Capterra Rating: 4.2/5

G2 Rating: 4.0/5

5. Thunderbird – Best Open-Source Mailbird Alternative

best alternatives to mailbird

Thunderbird is a free, open-source email client developed by Mozilla. Although its interface looks a bit outdated, Thunderbird can be a great alternative to Mailbird due to the high level of customization and the option of adding unlimited email accounts. 

Thunderbird is available for download in multiple languages on all operating systems, including macOS, Windows, and Linux. 

🛠️ Thunderbird Features

Thunderbird offers a range of features, such as: 

  • An integrated calendar
  • Task management options
  • A large library of add-ons for additional functionality
  • Tag feature for easy organization
  • A unified inbox to manage multiple email accounts

👍🏻 Pros:

  • Open-source and fully customizable with a wide range of add-ons
  • Integrated calendar and task management features
  • Strong privacy and security features, including automatic encryption
  • It supports POP and IMAP protocols
  • Available to download for Windows, Mac, and Linux

👎🏻 Cons:

  • The interface can feel outdated compared to other modern email clients
  • Some users report that it can be slow and resource-intensive
  • No mobile app
  • Can’t be used as a web app

💰 Thunderbird Pricing

Thunderbird is free to download and use, being an open-source project. While the app is free forever, users can donate a desired amount to its creators.

💬 Thunderbird Reviews

Capterra Rating: 4.5/5

G2 Rating: 4.3/5 

6. Postbox – Best for Email Productivity

mailbird alternatives

Postbox is a powerful email client that focuses on email productivity. Its clean and intuitive interface, coupled with features like a unified inbox and various integrations, make it a strong Mailbird alternative. 

What’s more, Postbox integrates with other email providers like Gmail, iCloud, Yahoo, AOL, Office 365, Outlook, Fastmail, and ProtonMail, providing a unified email experience. 

Postbox is currently available only as a desktop platform for macOS and Windows, so it’s not as versatile as other email providers mentioned on this list, such as Canary Mail and Microsoft Outlook.

🛠️ Postbox Features

Postbox’s features zero in on email organization, management, and composition. Here are some of its main features: 

👍🏻 Pros:

  • A visually appealing and intuitive interface
  • Supports numerous third-party integrations
  • Features a powerful search function
  • Works with any IMAP or POP account

👎🏻 Cons:

  • Lacks some critical functionalities
  • No AI features
  • No mobile app
  • Can’t be used as a web app

💰 Postbox Pricing

Postbox offers a free 30-day trial available for Mac and Windows. After your 30-day trial expires, you can purchase Postbox’s lifetime license for a one-time fee of $49 per user. 

💬 Postbox Reviews

Capterra Rating: 4.8/5

G2 Rating: 3.5/5

Best Mailbird Alternatives, a Comparative Table

Features Canary Mail Gmail Microsoft Outlook eM Client Thunderbird Postbox
Free Version
Storage – 15GB 15GB – – –
Pricing Canary mail pricing page $6/month $1.99/month $29.95 (or $64.95 with lifetime upgrades)  Free  $49/lifetime 
AI
Read Receipts
Snooze Option
Biometric App Lock
Push notifications for important emails

Alternative to Mailbird, the Bottom Line

While Mailbird offers a range of features that many users find useful, it’s not the only email client on the market. Depending on your specific needs and preferences, alternatives like Canary Mail, Gmail, Outlook, eM Client, Thunderbird, or Postbox might be more suitable. 

When choosing your Mailbird alternative, it’s important to consider each option carefully to find the best fit for your email management needs. The optimal email client for you hinges on your unique requirements and preferences. Ultimately, you should choose the email client that offers you more versatility, customization, and email management options than Mailbird.

Mailbird Alternative, the FAQs

❓ Is there a free version of Mailbird?

Yes, Mailbird offers a free forever version that comes with all the basic Mailbird features. However, the free version of Mailbird has certain restrictions compared to the Pro version, such as a limit on the number of email accounts you can add, no ChatGPT integration, and the lack of priority support. If you need more sophisticated features, consider upgrading to Mailbird Pro. 

❓ Which is better, Mailbird or Thunderbird?

Although Thunderbird and Mailbird are comparable in terms of features, they’re two different email clients that focus on different things. Thunderbird is a free, open-source email client focusing on privacy and customization, while Mailbird is a Windows-only email client focusing on multiple email account management. 

❓ What is the best alternative to Mailbird?

The best alternative to Mailbird is the one that best aligns with your needs. You know exactly why you’re looking to move away from Mailbird and find a better alternative. All of the email clients mentioned in this article can be an alternative to Mailbird. We highly recommend Canary Mail, but you’re the one who needs to evaluate which one is the right one for you. 

Alex Simmons
Alex Simmons

I have always been fascinated by the world of SaaS and technology. From a young age, I found myself drawn to the endless possibilities that email technology offers. The ability to connect with people across the globe and streamline communication processes is something that truly excites me. As a passionate individual, I am constantly seeking new ways to leverage SaaS and email technology to enhance productivity and drive innovation.

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