A New Chapter for Thunderbird: Introducing Thunderbird Pro

For years, whispers within the open-source community hinted at something more from the Thunderbird team. Now, it’s official: Thunderbird is venturing into the realm of integrated cloud services with the launch of Thunderbird Pro. This suite of optional, paid services aims to provide a thorough, privacy-respecting alternative to platforms like Gmail and Microsoft 365, all while staying true to its open-source roots.

Thunderbird Remains Free, But Offers More

The core Thunderbird request, recently updated to version 137, will remain free and open source. Ryan Sipes,Managing Director of Product at Thunderbird,has explicitly stated that current users can continue using the classic Thunderbird experience without any changes. Though, Thunderbird Pro introduces a range of optional services designed to enhance productivity and collaboration.

These new services are fully optional and separated from classic Thunderbird. They will not alter the current experience of users who do not wish to subscribe to the Pro.

Ryan Sipes,Managing Director of Product at Thunderbird

The Thunderbird Pro Suite: A Closer Look

Thunderbird Pro encompasses several key services,each designed with open standards and user privacy in mind:

Thundermail: Secure and Open Email

Thundermail is a complete email service,including calendar and contact management,built on open standards. Users can opt for addresses ending in @thundermail.com or @tb.pro, or even use their own domain names. Registration for the beta program is currently open at thundermail.com. With growing concerns about email privacy, a service like Thundermail could be a welcome alternative. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, 72% of Americans are concerned about their online privacy.

Thunderbird Send: Encrypted File Sharing

Thunderbird Send offers end-to-end encrypted file sharing, reviving the spirit of the now-defunct Firefox Send. This service is currently in the alpha phase. The need for secure file sharing is more critical than ever, with data breaches becoming increasingly common.For example,the 2023 MOVEit Transfer hack impacted over 2,500 organizations and 90 million individuals.

thunderbird Appointment: streamlined scheduling

Thunderbird Appointment is a lightweight appointment scheduling tool, positioned as an open-source alternative to proprietary solutions. it is currently in closed beta. Streamlining scheduling processes can significantly improve productivity. A study by Doodle found that poor scheduling practices cost companies an average of $14,000 per employee annually.

Thunderbird Assist: AI with Privacy in Mind

Thunderbird Assist is an experimental AI project, developed in collaboration with Flower AI, designed to provide AI-powered assistance while prioritizing user privacy. Data processing will primarily occur on the device or via a secure cloud when necesary. These features will be strictly optional. The integration of AI into productivity tools is a growing trend, but concerns about data privacy remain paramount.Thunderbird Assist aims to address these concerns by prioritizing on-device processing and secure cloud options.

Open Source Commitment and Subscription Model

All new services within Thunderbird Pro will be released under open-source licenses, staying true to Thunderbird’s core philosophy. To ensure the project’s long-term financial sustainability, thunderbird Pro will operate on a paid subscription model, with plans to introduce a limited free tier in the future. This approach balances the need for funding with the commitment to providing accessible open-source software.