Email clients
Mailbird privacy rating
Closed-source desktop email client for Windows, with a separate Mailbird Next app for macOS, that combines several accounts in a unified inbox with calendar and app integrations.
Summary
Mailbird scores 33 out of 100 (grade F) on the email clients criteria. It meets 3 of 8 criteria: connects directly, blocks remote content and works with any provider. It does not meet open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, independent audit and OpenPGP support. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.
Score 33 out of 100. How scoring works
Criteria
- No
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No
No trackers or telemetry Weight 3 of 3
Are the website and apps free of third-party trackers, with any analytics anonymous and any telemetry off by default?
The website loads Google Tag Manager, Mixpanel, PostHog, LinkedIn and TikTok trackers, and the policy lists Google Analytics, Mixpanel and Hotjar.
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No
No ads or data sales Weight 2 of 3
Is the product funded without advertising, ad targeting or selling user data?
Sells paid plans, but the privacy policy allows targeted third-party advertising on the site and in the applications.
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No
Independent audit Weight 2 of 3
Has an independent security or privacy audit been published within the last three years?
No independent audit is published.
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No
OpenPGP support Weight 2 of 3
Can the app encrypt and sign mail with OpenPGP, built in or through an official add-on?
PGP encryption is not supported.
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Yes
Connects directly Weight 3 of 3
Does the app connect directly to your mail server, without passing mail or passwords through the vendor's servers?
Connects directly to mail servers. Usernames and passwords are stored encrypted on the local drive.
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Yes
Blocks remote content Weight 2 of 3
Are remote images and tracking pixels blocked by default?
Remote images load only when allowed for a message or sender, unless Always show remote images is turned on.
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Yes
Works with any provider Weight 1 of 3
Does the app work with any standard IMAP and SMTP provider?
Works with any IMAP and POP3 provider, plus Exchange on paid plans.