Yes, Thunderbird is completely free to use. It is also open source, so you can inspect and contribute to the code.

How do I uninstall Thunderbird?

Open Terminal and run `brew uninstall --cask thunderbird`. Homebrew will remove Thunderbird and all associated files cleanly. You can verify it was removed by running `brew list`.

What are alternatives to Thunderbird?

There are several communication apps available for macOS. Browse the Communication category on Bundl.run to compare features, popularity, and install counts for similar tools.

How do I update Thunderbird to the latest version?

Run `brew upgrade --cask thunderbird` in Terminal to update to the latest version. You can also run `brew outdated` to check if an update is available.

Does Thunderbird work on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4)?

Yes, Thunderbird can be installed on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs via Homebrew. Homebrew automatically handles the correct version for your hardware.

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PublishedJanuary 1, 2026•UpdatedApril 9, 2026

Thunderbird

Name: Thunderbird
Availability: InStock

Free email application by Mozilla

CommunicationFreeOpen SourceReplaces Microsoft Outlook ($100/yr)

Thunderbird screenshot — Thunderbird — Official Website

What is Thunderbird?

Free email application by Mozilla

Install with Homebrew

brew install --cask thunderbird

How to Install Thunderbird on Mac

Follow these steps to install Thunderbird using Homebrew, the most popular package manager for macOS. This works on both Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and Intel Macs.

1
Open Terminal
Launch Terminal from your Applications > Utilities folder, or press Cmd + Space and type "Terminal".
2
Install Homebrew
If you don't have Homebrew yet, paste the install script from brew.sh into Terminal and follow the prompts.
3
Run brew install --cask thunderbird
Paste the following command into Terminal and press Enter:
brew install --cask thunderbird
4
Verify Installation
Run `brew list` to confirm thunderbird is installed, then try `thunderbird --version` to check the version number.
5
Launch Thunderbird
Run `thunderbird` in your Terminal to start using it.

Troubleshooting

• If you see a permission error, try prefixing the command with sudo.
• If Homebrew can't find the package, run brew update first to refresh the package list.
• On Apple Silicon Macs, make sure Homebrew is installed at /opt/homebrew (the default for M-series chips).

Key Features

Easy installation via Homebrew

Regular updates and maintenance

Free to use

Open source codebase

Pros

✓Simple one-command installation
✓Well-maintained and regularly updated
✓Completely free to use

Cons

✗Requires Homebrew to be installed
✗macOS only

Video Tutorials

Getting Started with Thunderbird

Ask Leo!140.3K views

How to Set Up Thunderbird Email (2025) - Full Guide

Digibase Media • 8.4K views

Mac OSX Mozilla Thunderbird Junk Mail Tutorial

100 Helpful Things • 928 views

10 useful Tips to use Thunderbird like a professional

Linux Ort • 21.2K views

Frequently Asked Questions about Thunderbird

Open Terminal, install Homebrew if you haven't already (visit brew.sh), then run `brew install --cask thunderbird`. The app will be downloaded and installed automatically. You can then run `thunderbird` from Terminal.

About the Author

Jordan Kim

Productivity & Workflow Analyst

Productivity ApplicationsNote-Taking & Knowledge ManagementTask & Project Management

8+ years in operations management · PMP certified

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PublishedJanuary 1, 2026•UpdatedApril 9, 2026

Thunderbird

Free email application by Mozilla

CommunicationFreeOpen SourceReplaces Microsoft Outlook ($100/yr)

What is Thunderbird?

Free email application by Mozilla

Install with Homebrew

brew install --cask thunderbird

How to Install Thunderbird on Mac

Follow these steps to install Thunderbird using Homebrew, the most popular package manager for macOS. This works on both Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and Intel Macs.

1
Open Terminal
Launch Terminal from your Applications > Utilities folder, or press Cmd + Space and type "Terminal".
2
Install Homebrew
If you don't have Homebrew yet, paste the install script from brew.sh into Terminal and follow the prompts.
3
Run brew install --cask thunderbird
Paste the following command into Terminal and press Enter:
brew install --cask thunderbird
4
Verify Installation
Run `brew list` to confirm thunderbird is installed, then try `thunderbird --version` to check the version number.
5
Launch Thunderbird
Run `thunderbird` in your Terminal to start using it.

Troubleshooting

• If you see a permission error, try prefixing the command with sudo.
• If Homebrew can't find the package, run brew update first to refresh the package list.
• On Apple Silicon Macs, make sure Homebrew is installed at /opt/homebrew (the default for M-series chips).