What replaced the Thunderbird?
The direct replacement for Thunderbird does not exist as a single official successor. Thunderbird lives on as an independent, community‑driven email client after Mozilla scaled back formal sponsorship, and many users have shifted to a variety of other mail applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Apple Mail, and modern cross‑platform clients like Mailspring or eM Client.
Origins and evolution of Thunderbird
Origins
Thunderbird was launched by Mozilla in 2004 as a stand‑alone email client derived from Mozilla’s codebase. It was designed to be fast, secure, and highly extensible, running on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Early on, it gained a reputation for strong privacy features and a rich ecosystem of add-ons.
From Mozilla to community governance
In the 2010s, Mozilla began winding down formal support for Thunderbird as it redirected resources to other projects. The project transitioned to a community‑driven governance model, with leadership and maintenance falling to volunteers and a governing body formed to oversee development and funding. Since then, Thunderbird has continued as an open‑source project funded largely by donations and community contributions rather than a corporate sponsor.
Is there a replacement for Thunderbird?
Here are popular alternatives that people turn to when Thunderbird is not used, spanning mainstream products and capable open‑source options across different platforms.
- Microsoft Outlook
- Apple Mail
- Mailspring
- eM Client
- Postbox
- The Bat!
- Claws Mail
- Evolution
Concluding note: While there is no official Thunderbird successor, the ecosystem offers a wide range of choices tailored to operating system, feature needs, and budget. Users can select clients emphasizing simplicity, security, or advanced mail management, depending on their priorities.
Current status and future outlook
Thunderbird remains actively maintained by a community of developers and contributors. As of the mid‑2020s, new releases continue to address security, performance, and feature enhancements, with governance overseen by community boards and groups rather than a single corporate sponsor. The project relies on volunteer work, donations, and collaboration across platforms, and it remains a staple for users who value open‑source software and customization.
Summary
In short, Thunderbird has not been replaced by a single product; it transitioned to an independent, community‑driven project after Mozilla reduced its direct involvement. For users seeking alternatives, a broad landscape of mail clients exists—from large, platform‑specific apps like Outlook and Apple Mail to capable open‑source options like Mailspring, Evolution, and Claws Mail. The future of Thunderbird depends on ongoing community support and contributions, rather than a single official successor.
What will replace Thunderbird?
Looking for alternatives or competitors to Thunderbird? Other important factors to consider when researching alternatives to Thunderbird include features and communication. The best overall Thunderbird alternative is Front. Other similar apps like Thunderbird are Spike, Mailbird, BlueMail, and Microsoft Outlook.
Is Thunderbird still good in 2025?
While you can still benefit from Thunderbird's core strengths - unlimited email account support, unified inbox functionality, and integrated calendar features at no cost - many users find themselves dealing with email sending issues in Thunderbird, an interface that feels outdated compared to modern standards, and ...
What replaced the El Rancho in Las Vegas?
the Fontainebleau Las Vegas resort
The site of the El Rancho and Algiers was later used for the Fontainebleau Las Vegas resort, which began construction in 2007.
Why did Ford stop making Thunderbirds?
Few reasons. First, the personal coupe market was really drying up in the 90's. Second, the last gen tbird was considered to be too big, too heavy and too soft, and Ford leadership was upset about it. Third, they've grown a stigma over the years as a redneck car.
