Thunderbird, the popular open-source email client developed by Mozilla, has long been a favorite among users who appreciate privacy, flexibility, and customization. While Thunderbird itself has traditionally been free to use, in recent years, new services such as Thunderbird Premium, support plans, and donation-based subscriptions have emerged to help fund ongoing development and offer advanced features.
If you’ve subscribed to any of Thunderbird’s paid offerings—whether it's for premium support, additional features, or to contribute financially—and now want to cancel that subscription, you're in the right place.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of canceling your Thunderbird subscription easily and safely, while addressing common concerns and answering questions along the way.
Before we jump into how to cancel, it’s important to understand what kind of "subscription" you may have signed up for.
Unlike many commercial email clients, Thunderbird is free and open-source. However, some users choose to support the development of Thunderbird by:
Making recurring monthly donations
Purchasing paid support or consulting services
Subscribing to premium offerings (available in select regions or through partnerships)
If you’ve been billed monthly or annually by Thunderbird or Mozilla and want to stop those charges, that’s the subscription we’re talking about canceling.
There are several valid reasons why users may want to cancel their Thunderbird-related subscription or donation:
Financial reasons – Tightening your budget, or cutting down on unused services.
No longer using Thunderbird – Perhaps you’ve switched to a different email client.
Dissatisfaction – Maybe the features offered didn’t meet your expectations.
Temporary support – Some users subscribe to support the project temporarily, then cancel.
Mistaken billing – You may not have realized it was a recurring donation or payment.
Whatever your reason, it’s your right to cancel. Let’s walk through the process.
The method of cancellation depends on how you set up your recurring payment. Thunderbird subscriptions are generally managed via:
A donation or support plan through a fundraising platform
A third-party payment processor like Stripe or PayPal
Direct account access through Mozilla’s donation system
In rare cases, through app marketplaces if linked to a partner app
Let’s break down each method.
If you signed up for a recurring donation to support Thunderbird development, your subscription was likely processed via a platform that allows monthly contributions.
Here’s how to cancel:
Locate the confirmation email you received when you first subscribed. This often includes your donation details and the platform handling the payment.
Follow the instructions in the email for managing or cancelling your recurring donation.
Alternatively, log into the payment portal you used (for example, a donation platform dashboard) and access your subscription settings.
Look for options such as “Manage subscription,” “Cancel donation,” or “Stop recurring payment.”
Follow the prompts to complete the cancellation.
Once cancelled, your account should no longer be charged for upcoming billing periods.
If your Thunderbird subscription was processed through PayPal or Stripe, you can cancel the recurring charge directly from your account with them.
For example:
Log into your PayPal or Stripe account.
Go to your subscriptions or automatic payments section.
Find the subscription labeled under Thunderbird, Mozilla, or any related service name.
Select it, and choose the option to cancel automatic billing.
Confirm the cancellation.
You’ll receive a notification or confirmation once the cancellation is processed.
This method is particularly useful if you can’t access a Thunderbird dashboard or donation site directly but know that a third-party payment service is handling your subscription.
In some cases, especially if the subscription is tied to Mozilla's broader product suite (which includes Firefox and Thunderbird), you might have a Mozilla account used to manage your subscriptions.
Here’s what to do:
Log into your Mozilla account using your email and password.
Go to the subscriptions or billing section in your dashboard.
Find the Thunderbird-related subscription.
Click on the option to cancel, stop payments, or end subscription.
Confirm your action.
Once done, you should retain access to any benefits until the end of your current billing period, but no further charges will be made.
In rare cases, if Thunderbird was installed through a third-party app marketplace (particularly in mobile ecosystems or enterprise bundles), the subscription may be managed through that app store account.
If that’s the case:
Open your mobile device's settings or app store.
Navigate to your subscriptions or purchases.
Locate the Thunderbird or Mozilla listing.
Tap cancel subscription and confirm.
Make sure you also uninstall any apps or integrations associated with the subscription, if they no longer serve your needs.
After you cancel your Thunderbird subscription:
You will not be charged in the next billing cycle.
You’ll likely retain access to any paid features until your current subscription expires.
You can continue using the free version of Thunderbird without interruption.
Your saved emails, configurations, and preferences remain intact.
If you made recurring donations, those will stop, but your past support will still be appreciated by the team.
Thunderbird’s refund policy can vary depending on how and where you subscribed.
Donations are generally non-refundable, as they are considered voluntary contributions.
Support plans or paid features might be eligible for a refund if requested within a short time frame after purchase.
Refunds for subscriptions processed through third-party services are usually governed by that platform’s policies.
If you believe you were charged incorrectly or unintentionally, it’s a good idea to contact Thunderbird or Mozilla’s support team with your billing details for clarification.
Before finalizing your cancellation, consider the following:
Backup important data: If your subscription included cloud services or storage, ensure you download or back up your information.
Check renewal dates: Cancel a few days before your next billing cycle to avoid last-minute charges.
Contact support: If you’re unsure about how to cancel or want to pause instead of canceling, contact the support team for help.
Consider downgrading: If the cost is the issue, check if there’s a lower-tier option instead of canceling completely.
Cancelling your Thunderbird subscription is a straightforward process once you know where to look. Whether you supported the project through a recurring donation, purchased a premium support plan, or signed up through a third-party provider, there’s a method to stop your subscription that fits your situation.
Remember, cancelling doesn’t mean you can’t come back in the future. Thunderbird is a community-driven project, and your support—past or present—goes a long way in keeping it alive and improving. If your needs or financial situation changes, you can always re-subscribe or support in other ways.
Take the steps outlined above, keep track of your billing info, and make sure your cancellation is confirmed. With this guide, you’re now fully equipped to cancel your Thunderbird subscription with confidence and clarity.