Best Reliable Tool to Import EML Files into Thunderbird (2025 Guide)

[johny899]

Have you been given a bunch of EML files and you are unsure how to get them to Thunderbird? Don't worry; I have been in that position before. The confusion at first glance is intense, but the truth is, you only need the right tool to help you get the job done. Let me tell you what I used.

Why Import EML to Thunderbird?​

Thunderbird is free, safe, and works very well for emails. If your old emails are in EML, or if EML is the only format you can get them in, you likely want to keep them in Thunderbird.

Of course, you can drag and drop EML files directly into your Thunderbird folder, but if you have hundreds or thousands of them it will take too long. This is where a good import tool comes in handy.

The Tool I Used​

I attempted a few different programs and the one I had the most success with and saved me time, and headaches was SysTools EML to Thunderbird Importer.

Here is what I liked:

• Import as many files at the same time - No single file moving.

• Retained your folder structure - All the emails fell into the appropriate folders.

• Saved any attachments safely - No corrupt files.

• Very user-friendly – It was able to do it without being an expert.

Free Option You Can Use​

If you don't want to spend money, there is a free add-on for Thunderbird called ImportExportTools NG, which will do the trick for small jobs.

But there are the downsides:​

• It can be slow when using large batches.
• Attachments can fail to import correctly.
• Setup can take longer.

Well, if you only have a few email files, just use the free add-on. If you have a lot of files, then simply pay for the time that it saves you.

To Summarize​

Moving EML files into Thunderbird doesn't have to be a headache. You basically have two choices:

1. Opt for a paid tool like SysTools Importer if you want to do it quickly and easily.
2. Opt for the free add-on, if you only have a few files.

For me, I'd rather pay and save time. Who wants to spend hours doing nothing but moving emails? What about you - free and slower route, or paid fast route?

 

[ameliaroberts]

The best technique to import EML files into Thunderbird is to convert them to MBOX format first since Thunderbird supports MBOX directly. Completing this manually can be challenging and often leads to formatting or attachment issues. Try the GainTools EML to MBOX Converter to quickly convert large EML files into MBOX without losing data. After conversion loading the MBOX file into Thunderbird is easy. I've found this way to be much faster and safer than manual techniques especially if you have a large number of EML emails.