Smails vs Thunderbird: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Smails and Thunderbird side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Smails
Keep multiple Gmail and Outlook accounts in one desktop window
Best for you if:
- • People running three or more Gmail or Outlook accounts on one machine who want the real web UI, not a rebuilt client
Thunderbird
Manage all your email, calendar, and contacts in one secure app
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Smails requires payment)
| At a Glance | Smails | Thunderbird |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Email Clients | Productivity Email Clients |
Rating | n/a | 4.3/5 G2 4.3 · SourceForge 4.2 347 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Smails or Thunderbird?
Choose Smails if
- People running three or more Gmail or Outlook accounts on one machine who want the real web UI, not a rebuilt client
- You want keep multiple Gmail and Outlook accounts in one desktop window
- You work in email clients, not productivity
Choose Thunderbird if
- You want a fully free tool (Smails requires payment)
- You want strong emphasis on user privacy and data ownership with no data collection or ad-based monetization
- You want highly customizable and extensible to fit diverse user workflows and preferences
- You work in productivity, not email clients
In-Depth Analysis
Smails
Keep multiple Gmail and Outlook accounts in one desktop window
The pricing is exceptionally generous.
Key features
Thunderbird
Manage all your email, calendar, and contacts in one secure app
Thunderbird's pricing is exceptionally generous as it is entirely free.
Strengths
- Pro: Strong emphasis on user privacy and data ownership with no data collection or ad-based monetization.
- Pro: Highly customizable and extensible to fit diverse user workflows and preferences.
- Pro: Consolidates all communication accounts (email, calendar, contacts) into a single application, reducing app clutter.
- Pro: Available across major desktop operating systems and mobile, providing a consistent experience.
Weaknesses
- Con: Relies on community contributions and donations for development, which may impact feature velocity compared to commercially funded products.
- Con: Advanced encryption requires integration with external apps like OpenKeychain for full functionality.
Key features
Plans and prices: Smails vs Thunderbird
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Smails |
| matta.io/smails read Oct 25, 2026 |
| Thunderbird |
| thunderbird.net read Nov 1, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Smails pricing and Thunderbird pricing.
Key Takeaways
Smails
- Choose if you want keep multiple Gmail and Outlook accounts in one desktop window
Thunderbird
- Choose if you want manage all your email, calendar, and contacts in one secure app
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Only Thunderbird has a published user rating (4.3/5 from 347 reviews); Smails has none we can show.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Smails and Thunderbird compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Only Thunderbird has a published user rating (4.3/5 from 347 reviews); Smails has none we can show. Both have a free plan.
What are Smails and Thunderbird used for?
Smails: Keep multiple Gmail and Outlook accounts in one desktop window. Thunderbird: Manage all your email, calendar, and contacts in one secure app.
What does Smails cost vs Thunderbird?
Smails has no public paid-plan price on file. Thunderbird is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Smails and Thunderbird?
Smails focuses on keep multiple Gmail and Outlook accounts in one desktop window. Thunderbird's main strength: strong emphasis on user privacy and data ownership with no data collection or ad-based monetization.