Mailbird is a desktop email client for Microsoft Windows and MacOS, compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11,[2] and with Ventura or higher for Mac devices. Mailbird is offered via a paid subscription, but also includes a free version[3] for both Windows and Mac users.
Along with all core functionalities which an email client offers, such as sending, receiving and managing emails, Mailbird offers a wide range of other features, such as Email Tracking, numerous app integrations for popular apps (e.g. ChatGPT, WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.), support for Microsoft Exchange accounts and many others.
History
The first version of the Mailbird email software was created in January 2012 by Danish co-founders and serial entrepreneurs Michael Olsen and Michael Bodekaer,[4]
inspired by the lightweight Sparrow email client for OS X[5]
as an alternative to other existing email clients. Aside from the basic email features, the soft beta version included such features as the in-line reply, in-line attachment, a contact app, contacts search, PDF preview, keyboard shortcuts, quick reply, delete forever, etc.
In January 2013, Mailbird opened its beta to the public on an invite-only basis.[6]
The release included features, such as nested folder structure, message download, English spell check, and Lifehacker and TechCrunch integrations. Connecting additional email accounts also became possible along with the ability to set a default identity.
On January 27, 2014, Mailbird 1.0 was released to the public. This version had IMAP support, keyboard navigation, and multiple account support feature. Additionally, a Speed Reader, Contact Manager, POP support, and more languages for spell check were added.
By 2016, the app had been translated into several languages, including Hungarian and Chinese. Features, such as Undo Send, Import, Custom Cover were added, and the Contact Manager was updated.[7]
On March 17, 2015, Mailbird 2.0 was released with new features, such as Email Snooze, Video Meetings, and Unified Inbox Plus. Further integrations were added for Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Veeting Rooms, Asana, and more.[8]
New integrations were later also added, such as Moodo, ZeroBounce and Google Drive. In 2019, Mailbird was updated with Filters/Rules functionality.
In 2020, new features were introduced, such as the Native Calendar, Advanced Search, and Moving Emails Between Accounts.[9]
In 2022, Mexican Spanish was added as an additional supported language, and in 2023 ChatGPT was introduced as the latest available integration for any users who wish to leverage its technology directly from inside Mailbird.[10]
On October 30th 2023, Mailbird 3.0 was released. It contained a wide range of new features and designs, along with a vast array of improvements to the overall user experience.[11] Some examples of new features include Block Sender and Email Templates.
In early 2024, an integration for Sapling was added to Mailbird, allowing users to benefit from its writing assistant to improve grammar and spelling while using Mailbird.[12] In July 2024, and Outlook Calendar app was also introduced, which works with both Hotmail and Outlook email accounts, as well as third party Exchange providers which support Outlook (such as GoDaddy's Exchange support).[13]
Following an Early Access phase which ended on September 13th 2024,[14] Mailbird released Mailbird for Mac (V. 1.0.3) on October 14th 2024.[15]
Email Snooze[16] provides users with an option to remove an email from the inbox for a set period of time. The snoozed email will return to the top of the inbox once a defined timer runs out.
Speed reader
The Speed Reader feature shows the email text word-by-word on a blank screen. The speed can be adjusted.
Native calendar
The calendar feature provides typical views by day, week, and month and can also be opened in the inbox sidebar. Calendars from all email accounts in use can be viewed at the same time.
Advanced search
Emails can be searched using operators and filters, such as file weight or “has attachments.”
Move emails between accounts
Multiple account support provides functionality to move or copy emails from one account to another using the same methods as when moving or copying files from one folder to another.
LinkedIn lookup
The Business subscription allows searching for and connecting with contacts on LinkedIn.
Email tracker
Users can put a tracker on certain emails and see which recipients opened that email. If a recipient opens a tracked email, this information will show up to the sender.
In-line reply
In-line reply is a default option in Mailbird[17] that allows for adding comments to parts of an email. Comments are automatically highlighted, and the responder's name is added.
Localization
Mailbird supports English and has been translated into 24 other languages.
Supported standards
Mailbird supports standard email protocols:
POP3 – a basic retrieval protocol that supports offline email use.
IMAP – another retrieval protocol that allows using webmail accounts in Mailbird.
Mailbird has a built-in browser that opens web applications inside its interface.[18] The add-ons are organized inside a store-like section, in which the apps are installed by simply marking a checkbox.
On October 14th 2024, Mailbird released its first public version of its macOS email client, called Mailbird for Mac. Built using Avalonia's open source framework, Mailbird for Mac users have access to features such as:
