Hands-On Review: Softaken OLM to MBOX Converter with Real Results

Let’s be honest – moving emails from one platform to another is usually a difficult task for many users. If you’ve ever used or are using Outlook for Mac, you all know that it stores data in the OLM file format when we take a backup. The problem is that most other email clients like Apple Mail, Thunderbird, Postbox, Spicebird, Eudora, PocoMail, and many others don’t understand the OLM files because they only run in Mac Outlook. Instead, all email clients rely on the MBOX file format for storing the data.

That was exactly the problem where I was stuck, and most of the users were in. Years of emails, attachments, contacts and many other things were locked inside the Outlook for Mac, but I was switching over to Thunderbird on Windows OS. I needed a solution to convert OLM files to MBOX without damaging or compromising the originality of data..

After a bit of research, I came across Softaken OLM to MBOX Converter. Rather than just trusting the marketing claims, I decided to test the software by myself. In this post, I’ll share my honest experience with this tool, what happened, the steps I followed that worked or did not and whether this utility is actually worth your time or not.

OLM vs. MBOX: A Quick Refresher

Before diving in, here’s a quick breakdown of the files:

OLM file → Outlook for Mac 2011, 2016 & 2019, Archive file for storing data.

MBOX file → A universal mailbox format used by Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora, Postbox, and many others.

Why I Chose to Try Softaken

I had three main reasons for giving this tool a shot:

• Manual methods are really frustrating because they require lots of IMAP syncing through Gmail, but it looked too technical and a slow process for a large mailbox.
• Data safety mattered – Losing a single email wasn’t an option since my OLM file contained years of work correspondence.
• I needed speed – I didn’t want to spend days transferring everything.
• The Softaken tool promised easy conversion, batch processing, and formatting preservation. Honestly, it sounded too good to be true.

My Hands-On Test

Step 1: Download & Install

The download was lightweight, with no hidden add-ons. Installation was done in under two minutes. The interface is simple and easy to use.

Step 2: Adding OLM Files

I clicked “Add File” and selected my 4GB OLM backup from an external drive. The software read it instantly. No freezing, no crashing.

Step 3: Choosing the Format

I selected MBOX from the dropdown. The tool also offered other export options, but I wanted a straightforward OLM → MBOX test. Bonus: I could choose where to save the converted files.

Step 4: Conversion Speed & Accuracy

Here’s where I was impressed. My 4GB file converted in under a few minutes. The folder and formatting are preserved and maintained during the process.

Step 5: Checking in Thunderbird

The final test was opening the MBOX in Thunderbird. Everything was in place:

• Emails had the right date and time stamps.
• Inline images showed correctly.
• Attachments opened fine.
• Even the read/unread status is carried over.
• That’s when I knew this tool actually delivered.
• Features That Stood Out
• Batch conversion (great if you have multiple OLM files).
• Preserves folder hierarchy.
• Handles attachments without corruption.
• Lets you selectively convert certain folders.
• Works on all modern Windows versions, including 11.

Pros & Cons of this Converter Software

Pros

• Clean, user-friendly interface.
• Fast conversion, even with big files.
• Preserves formatting, metadata, and attachments.
• Offers advanced filters (like date range).
• Works without needing Outlook installed.

Cons

• The free demo only converts a limited number of emails.

Who Should Consider This Tool?

• Anyone switching from Outlook for Mac to Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or similar clients.
• The interface of the software is so easy to use that no tech expertise is needed.
• IT admins dealing with bulk OLM migrations.

Alternatives I Considered (and Skipped)

• IMAP sync → Possible, but they are painfully slow and associated with lots of errors.
• Other third-party tools → Some looked fine, but Softaken felt faster and easier in practice.

Conclusion: Worth It?

The Softaken Outlook OLM to MBOX Conversion Tool isn’t flashy, but it does its job amazingly. My entire OLM database, including thousands of emails and attachments, was moved into MBOX format effortlessly without facing any errors.

Sure, the free demo is limited, and you’ll need the paid version for a full conversion. But if your data matters and you don’t want to risk messy workarounds, I’d say it’s worth the investment.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Question)

1. Can it Handle Large OLM files?

Yes. I tested a 4GB file, and it worked without issues.

2. Does it Preserve Attachments?

Yes. Every attachment and formatting is preserved during the process.

3. Is the Free Version Enough?

Only for testing — it converts a limited number of emails. For full migration & conversion, you’ll need the paid version.

4. Which Email Clients Support MBOX?

Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Postbox, Eudora, and several others.