What it does
Betterbird is a separately maintained Thunderbird-derived email client. Its feature comparison documents global search in PGP and S/MIME encrypted messages, alongside its own fixes and release stream.
Betterbird’s global search in encrypted PGP and S/MIME messages is a specific reason for an encrypted-mail user to look beyond the parent client. The project also publishes its own release notes and fixes, making its identity more substantial than a renamed build.
Because Betterbird follows a shared code lineage, compare the exact release and features you need instead of assuming every add-on or behavior will be identical. The official page warns against using old versions with unpatched vulnerabilities. Keep the maintained release route in view when considering a fork for an everyday inbox.
Strengths
- The feature comparison documents global search in encrypted messages.
- The project maintains its own fixes and releases.
Best for
- Thunderbird users who specifically need Betterbird’s documented fixes or encrypted-message search
Sources
- Betterbird. Simply better. (Oct 26, 2026)