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Apple Mail vs Thunderbird: catalog facts
Apple Mail	Thunderbird
Free Included free with macOS, iOS and iPadOS.	Free Free forever, funded by donations.
macOS, iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Preinstalled on Mac, iPhone and iPad Supports iCloud and other email providers	Unified inbox across every account, or each account kept separate, your choice Mail, calendar, contacts and tasks in one application rather than four
Only available on Apple devices Closed source	The interface carries a lot of history and can feel dense next to a webmail tab Major ESR releases have historically been disruptive for add-ons and settings
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Closed source	Open source
License not stated	License: MPL-2.0
Not stated if an account is needed	No account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 20, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.