I’ve used them all. From the command line clients to the web mail services and even others such as Outlook, Pegasys, Apple Mail, and all the usual offerings.
Here are a few things to consider.
1. You want a mail client that has the ability to accept Add-Ons. This is one important piece of advice most people don’t even consider. Add-Ons / Plugins / whatever each client calls them add functionality. This functionality allows for you to add things that will make your life easier, whether corporate, personal, or a mix of the two.
What can Add-Ons do?
- Block Spam
- Add Calendaring
- Advanced Filter functionality
- Reminders
- Smart Routing
- Anonymous Remailing
- Signature Switching
- Email encryption and Certification
- Translations from one language to another automatically
- Block Ads / SPAM (much more accurately than other systems)
- Resize images within an email so you can see the whole thing without having to scroll all over the place.
The funny thing is most of this is free. The Thunderbird framework is open so anyone / anybody can write a plugin and add functionality. It’s a very powerful tool.
As for platforms, did you know Thunderbird is supported on every major platform including Windows, Apple, and Linux?
It can connect to an Exchange calendar as well as Google Calendar. It does everything Outlook does and more. Last I checked, it was also more secure.
It’s also standards-based. This is an important thing to remember if you ever want to retain or migrate your email from one platform to another.
Bugs? The Mozilla team has a habit of fixing bugs in Thunderbird faster than any other Email client provider.
Now, to me, this is an important thing. I don’t need security breaches in my email.
Just take a look at it, I think you’ll find it’s easier to use and VERY powerful. I’ve been using it for 10 years+ and never have had an issue with it.
I do my own hosting myself. I do offer a hosting service. Check out my estore. As you can see, it’s fast and reliable.