Thunderbird is a free, open-source email, calendar and contacts application. Its desktop Release channel is version 157.0, released on 30 September 2026. Choose the platform and channel on the official download page rather than assuming every package uses this version.
Get the official desktop or Android app
Use Thunderbird’s download page for Windows, macOS or Linux. It also links the separate Android app on Google Play and F-Droid. Android releases have their own version numbering.
Thunderbird belongs to the Mozilla family and operates through MZLA Technologies Corporation. The project’s about page describes its open-source model and MPL 2.0 licence. Optional paid services are separate from the free email application; downloading the client does not create a new email address or hosting account for you.
Release, ESR, Beta or Daily?
Release receives features and fixes on a roughly four-week cycle. ESR keeps major feature changes less frequent, with security and stability updates between major releases. Beta and Daily are testing channels.
Match your add-ons and workplace requirements to the channel. A Store or distribution package may follow a different update path. Check Mozilla’s channel guidance before switching an existing installation.
Requirements for desktop Release 157.0
| Platform | Publisher requirements and recommended hardware |
|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 10 or later; 32-bit or 64-bit. Recommended: 1 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM or 2 GB for the 64-bit build, and 500 MB disk space plus mail storage. |
| macOS | macOS 10.15 or later, Intel or Apple silicon. Recommended: 512 MB RAM and 200 MB disk space plus mail storage. |
| Linux | 64-bit; glibc 2.17+, GTK+ 3.14+, libglib 2.42+, libstdc++ 4.8.1+ and X.Org 1.0+. Distribution packages may have different requirements. |
These are the 157.0 requirements, not a promise that every older channel has the same support policy. Windows 7 and 8.1 do not meet this Release version’s requirements. Application compatibility also does not establish whether the operating system receives security updates.
Before upgrading or moving mail
Your profile holds mail and settings separately from the application. Make a backup first: Mozilla documents a profile Export tool, with a 2 GB ZIP limit and a manual-copy route for larger profiles. Back up the destination too before importing or replacing existing data.
Source review: 30 September 2026 (UTC). We checked the download channels, 157.0 release notes, requirements and publisher guidance. We did not install Thunderbird, connect a mailbox, test migration or verify an installer’s signature in this review.
