We predict so much from our e mail shoppers nowadays. It’s no longer sufficient to simply compose, ship, and obtain emails. The most efficient e mail shoppers lend a hand us prepare our inboxes, organize our schedules, keep track of contacts, and extra. Additionally they combine with our different equipment, like video conferencing apps.
Microsoft Outlook is wealthy with those bonus options, so it’s no wonder that it has 200 million per thirty days customers.
However is it the most productive e mail shopper in the market?
This text seems at 11 Outlook choices, their options, how a lot they price, and whether or not you must select them over Microsoft Outlook.
Evaluate of Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook is an e mail shopper or utility that allows you to entry and organize your e mail.
But it surely’s additionally greater than that.
Outlook supplies calendars, appointment environment, activity control, information superhighway surfing, and extra. It has desktop, on-line, and cellular variations.
The Historical past of Microsoft Outlook
The Microsoft Outlook we all know as of late developed from a couple of assets.
When Outlook used to be first launched with Microsoft Place of business 97, it changed Microsoft’s earlier e mail shopper, Microsoft Trade Consumer, and its time control device, Microsoft Agenda+.
The internet-based model of Outlook, to be had to Place of business 365 and Trade On-line subscribers, is known as Outlook at the Internet. It first shipped in 1997 as Outlook Internet Get right of entry to (and continues to be frequently abbreviated OWA) as a part of Trade Consumer 5.0.
Additionally, in 1997, Microsoft got Hotmail, probably the most first loose, web-based e mail products and services. Hotmail was MSN Hotmail, then Home windows Reside Hotmail, and in the end Outlook.com. Outlook.com isn’t a desktop e mail shopper however a loose e mail carrier.
Outlook Marketplace Proportion
There are a large number of e mail shoppers in the market (we’ll introduce you to a number of of them in a little), however most of the people use an e mail product from Apple, Google, or Microsoft.
So how does the market share of Microsoft Outlook examine to Google and Apple e mail shoppers? It depends upon what sort of system you’re the usage of.
Outlook does easiest on desktops with a 37.2% proportion of e mail opens. That’s 2nd solely to Apple Mail with 61.8% of opens, leaving simply 1% for all different shoppers.
On cellular, the tale is other. Apple iPhone and iPad mixed have a 90.8% marketplace proportion. Google Android is an excessively far away 2nd at 7.4%, and no different cellular shopper has an important piece of the pie.
Outlook.com has a three.2% webmail marketplace proportion, whilst Gmail dominates the web-based choices at 89.1%.
Key Options
Prior to evaluating Microsoft Outlook to its key competition, let’s have a look at what it provides. Outlook has a ways too many options to hide right here, however those are one of the most major stuff you must find out about.
E mail
E mail is Outlook’s core serve as. It has the everyday e mail shopper features like receiving, composing, and sending emails. You’ll prepare your mail into folders and arrange regulations to robotically ship mail to the right kind folder.
Calendar
Outlook Calendar means that you can view more than one calendars directly and agenda conferences and appointments. Whilst you’ll be able to use it as a person, it’s most dear for groups. You’ll invite participants to a gathering, view conflicts, RSVP, or recommend selection occasions.
Duties/To Do
Outlook’s vintage Duties function is being phased out to combine with Microsoft To Do.
To Do means that you can create lists of duties, set due dates, get reminders, and proportion your to-do lists with others.
Notes
You’ll create virtual notes for your self and show them in Outlook or for your desktop. You’ll additionally color-code your notes or order them into lists.
Integrations
Outlook has integrations with in style programs, together with:
- Microsoft Groups
- Slack
- Asana
- Zoom
- Microsoft OneDrive
Pricing
You’ll use the Microsoft Outlook cellular apps and Outlook.com without cost.
Maximum Home windows computer systems include the Outlook app incorporated, but when yours didn’t, you’d have to buy the desktop shopper. It’s worthwhile to make a one-time cost and get standalone Outlook for $159.99 or Place of business House & Trade for $249.99. It’s worthwhile to additionally move with considered one of a number of Microsoft 365 subscription plans.
Microsoft 365 Non-public is $69.99 in line with 12 months or $6.99 monthly. The Microsoft 365 Trade plans get started at $5 monthly in line with person.
Subscribing to Microsoft 365 offers you entry to Outlook for the Internet as smartly.
Why Select an Outlook Choice?
For all its advantages, Microsoft Outlook has some downsides.
Worth
Outlook doesn’t have a loose desktop e mail shopper. That by myself reasons many of us to hunt another.
Device Necessities
Microsoft programs are constructed for Home windows, the place they paintings easiest. Outlook does have a Mac model, however should you’re operating Linux, you’ll wish to discover a other e mail shopper.
Ease of Use
It’s an issue of opinion, however some other folks suppose Outlook is tricky to arrange and use. For instance, at the device assessment website online G2, Outlook is rated 8.7 for ease of use and eight.0 for setup.
Google Workspace is rated 9.2 for each classes, whilst Spike will get 9.5 and 9.7.
Extras
Outlook has extra bells and whistles than the vast majority of e mail shoppers, however it may possibly’t do the whole lot.
Possibly you’re searching for a novel function that Outlook doesn’t have, like the power to assign an e mail to a teammate.
Stay studying to learn about 11 very good Microsoft Outlook choices.
Best 11 Outlook Choices For 2022
1. Thunderbird
Thunderbird is an open-source e mail shopper from Mozilla. It’s loose to make use of and has Home windows, Mac, and Linux variations. It’s most often regarded as more uncomplicated to arrange than Outlook.
It doesn’t include a calendar like Outlook, however you’ll be able to obtain Mozilla’s Lightning Calendar, which is absolutely built-in with Thunderbird.
Thunderbird’s interface takes a touch from Mozilla Firefox and different in style browsers and allows you to open more than one emails in separate tabs. There are a large number of choices to customise the appear and feel of your inbox, in addition to add-ons so as to add capability.
Then again, in comparison to Outlook, the semblance of Thunderbird is a little dated and cluttered. Some other problem is that it has no cellular model.
Key Options
- Desktop e mail shopper
- Helps IMAP, POP3, and SMTP protocols
- Multi-tab e mail interface
- Deal with guide
- Seek bar and e mail filters
- Message archive
- Don’t observe and far flung content material blocking off
- Phishing coverage
- Spam filters
- Customization choices and add-ons
What It Does Perfect
Thunderbird has most of the identical options as Outlook — nevertheless it’s loose.
Pricing
Did we point out that it’s loose?
2. Gmail/Google Workspace
Let’s get started via clarifying the variation between Gmail and Google Workspace.
Gmail is a loose e mail carrier from Google that constantly ranks extremely amongst loose e mail shoppers. Google Workspace is the G Suite industry model. With Google Workspace, an administrator can create, edit, and delete accounts inside of their group.
Google Workspace customers can create e mail addresses with a customized area, like worker@yourbusiness.com, whilst Gmail customers can solely make Gmail.com addresses. Google Workspace provides shared drives and extra cupboard space.
Relying for your wishes, each Gmail and Google Workspace will also be suitable Outlook choices.
Whilst Gmail is in most cases used as an e mail carrier, you’ll be able to additionally use it as an e mail shopper for more than one e mail accounts, together with non-Google addresses.
The pricing for Google Workspace’s industry plans is analogous to Outlook’s, however what you get is other. Google Workspace has no desktop model.
Then again, the loose information superhighway model (Gmail) can be utilized as a mail shopper for emails from more than one suppliers, whilst Outlook.com can solely be used with Microsoft e mail addresses.
Google Workspace additionally has its calendar — Google Calendar. Like the e-mail, this will solely be accessed from a browser, whilst Outlook has a desktop model.
Key Options
- Internet-based e mail
- Calendar
- Video conferences
- Automated e mail filters and classes
- Clever writing tips
- Tournament main points within the e mail used to create calendar occasions
- Unsolicited mail filters
- Enhanced safety on higher-tier plans
What It Does Perfect
Gmail and Google Workspace are a part of the Google ecosystem, at hand in case your corporate already makes use of answers like Google Pressure, Google Medical doctors, or Google Calendar.
Pricing
- Gmail: Unfastened
- Trade Starter: $6/month/person
- Trade Same old: $12/month/person
- Trade Plus: $18/month/person
- Endeavor: Customized
3. eM Consumer
eM Client is an e mail shopper for Home windows and Mac that provides most of the identical options like Microsoft Outlook, together with calendaring, duties, and notes.
It has a blank, modern-looking interface that’s intuitive to make use of.
eM Consumer guarantees a “superfast” seek that works even inside of paperwork like PDFs. It has integrations with Dropbox, Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Pressure.
Total, eM Consumer is very similar to Microsoft Outlook, and opinions range on which is healthier.
One level in eM Consumer’s choose is its loose model. Then again, its options are beautiful restricted. For instance, you’ll be able to solely use it with two e mail addresses, and the one buyer fortify choice is the person discussion board.
Key Options
- Desktop e mail shopper
- Calendar
- Duties
- Notes
- Rapid translation of emails
- Snooze emails
- Customizable interface
- Chat quick messaging
- PGP encryption
What It Does Perfect
eM Consumer is an e mail shopper similar to Outlook however with moderately higher safety and a distraction-free interface.
Pricing
- Unfastened
- Professional for People: $49.95
- Professional for Firms: $188.95
4. Mailbird
Mailbird is an e mail shopper for Home windows. It has a loose model that you’ll be able to use with a unmarried e mail account and paid plans for private and industry use.
There’s additionally a clutter-free interface that’s extremely customizable.
Whilst Mailbird means that you can prepare emails into folders, it doesn’t have Outlook’s computerized sorting choices.
Mailbird integrates with a variety of programs, together with however no longer restricted to:
- Google products and services
- Fb
- Slack
- Dropbox
- Asana
- Email Marketing Software like ZeroBounce
A macOS model of Mailbird is being evolved.
Key Options
- E mail shopper for Home windows
- Helps IMAP and POP3 accounts
- Snooze e mail
- Integration with many apps
- Customizable topics
- Multi-language fortify
What It Does Perfect
Mailbird provides a ton of helpful integrations.
Pricing
- Unfastened
- Non-public: $3.25/month
- Trade: $99.75 or $4.92/month
5. Spark
Spark is an e mail shopper for Mac, iOS, and Android.
Spark learns because it is going, robotically sorting and prioritizing the emails to your inbox.
Group collaboration is its largest power — you’ll be able to paintings with others on a shared e mail draft or go away feedback on emails that solely your staff participants can see. You’ll additionally delegate emails to a selected particular person, set closing dates, and get a notification once they’re whole.
Now not each person is extremely joyful with Spark’s privateness practices. For instance, whenever you’ve arrange your e mail accounts on one system, you’ll by no means have to go into all your passwords or different main points once more. Whilst you set up Spark on any other system, you input the main points of probably the most accounts, and all your inboxes are robotically synced.
It’s very handy, nevertheless it additionally implies that your e mail passwords are saved at the server. This implies if a hacker were given entry to considered one of your e mail accounts, they may get into they all.
Spark is loose for person use, however you pay for the staff collaboration options.
Key Options
- E mail shopper for Mac, iOS, and Android
- IMAP and POP3 fortify
- Move-device account sync
- Automated categorization
- E mail pin
- E mail snooze
What It Does Perfect
The top rate model provides a robust set of collaboration options.
Pricing
- Unfastened
- Top rate: $6.39/person/month
- Endeavor: Customized
6. Mailspring
Mailspring is an e mail shopper to be had for Home windows, Mac, and Linux. It has a fairly easy design that’s simple to grasp and has a tendency to paintings sooner than Outlook.
It has quite a lot of layouts and topics to make a choice from.
Mailspring provides job monitoring, which means you get notified once contacts learn your e mail messages, and hyperlink monitoring, so you’ll be able to see who’s monitoring your hyperlinks.
A loose model of Mailspring means that you can attach as much as 4 e mail accounts. It’s missing one of the most fancier options like learn receipts and e mail slumbering.
Key Options
- Desktop e mail shopper for Home windows, Mac, and Linux
- Connects IMAP and Place of business 365 accounts
- Job monitoring
- Hyperlink monitoring
- E mail snooze
- Customizable layouts and topics
- Localized into 9 languages
What It Does Perfect
Mailspring has an intuitive design with out the bloat of Outlook.
Pricing
- Unfastened
- Top rate: $8/month
7. Shift
Shift used to be designed that can assist you, smartly, shift between multiple Gmail accounts. It has since developed and will connect with Microsoft e mail and different apps, like Slack and Fb Messenger.
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You’ll seek your entire accounts directly or temporarily turn via them.
Whilst maximum reviewers love the concept that of Shift and its integrations, many in finding that it has a large number of insects and works slowly.
Shift has a loose model that permits two e mail accounts, one app, and shared workspaces. The top rate variations additionally help you upload Chrome extensions and Google products and services, amongst different options.
For those who use more than one accounts to do gross sales and advertising and marketing via e mail, take a look at our submit on Email Marketing Best Practices.
Key Options
- Desktop app for e mail and different products and services
- Multi-tab show
- Seek throughout all accounts
- Create shared workspaces
What It Does Perfect
Shift is a user-friendly desktop app for unifying Gmail, Microsoft e mail, and different apps and products and services.
Pricing
- Unfastened
- Complicated: $99.99/12 months
- Groups: $99.99/12 months/person
8. Spike
Up till now, most of the e mail shoppers we’ve coated have had a an identical glance.
Spike is other.
The person interface is designed to feel and look like a talk. The emails you obtain are transformed into chat bubbles and seem as a unmarried dialog.
The replies you ship again will seem like common emails to the recipient (assuming they’re no longer the usage of Spike).
Spike additionally provides notes, duties, and video chats.
Spike is to be had for Home windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. There are a selection of pricing plans, together with a loose one. The loose plan means that you can attach limitless non-public accounts and use some options which can be regarded as top rate with different shoppers, together with e mail slumbering and shared notes.
Key Options
- Chat-like e mail shopper for Home windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
- @ mentions
- E mail snooze
- E mail pin
- Customized templates
- Duties
- Notes
- Audio and video calls
What It Does Perfect
Spike turns your emails right into a unmarried chat dialog.
Pricing
- Non-public: Unfastened
- Solo: $12/person/month
- Group: $8/person/month
- Trade: $7/person/month
- Endeavor: Customized
9. Pegasus
Years ahead of Microsoft Outlook existed, there used to be Pegasus. On its web page, Pegasus boasts that it’s the “web’s longest-serving PC e mail device.”
Created in 1990 to be used at the now-defunct NetWare server running device, Pegasus is now a Home windows-only shopper and continues to be maintained via its unique author.
In truth, there’s no longer a lot reason why you should utilize Pegasus (also known as Pmail) over Microsoft Outlook in 2022. But it surely’s loose to check out, and it does have leading-edge options like rule-based filtering and seek.
Key Options
- Desktop Home windows e mail shopper
- Manages more than one accounts
- Helps POP3 and IMAP
- Filters
What It Does Perfect
Pegasus Mail is a desktop Home windows shopper appropriate for individuals who benefit from the unfashionable Home windows XP enjoy.
Pricing
Without cost.
10. Protonmail
ProtonMail is an e mail supplier quite than a shopper, nevertheless it’s an excellent selection should you aren’t happy with Outlook’s security measures.
Open supply and founded in Switzerland, ProtonMail supplies end-to-end encryption on your emails.
One of the crucial many security measures that ProtonMail provides is self-destructing emails. You designate an expiration date on your e mail, and it’s deleted from the recipient’s inbox at the moment.
With ProtonMail, your e mail is even safe from ProtonMail. Your knowledge is saved the usage of zero-access encryption, so ProtonMail itself doesn’t know your password and will’t decrypt your emails.
ProtonMail is a web based e mail and provides cellular apps for Android and iOS.
Key Options
- Internet-based, Android, and iOS e mail
- Finish-to-end encryption
- 0-access encryption
- Self-destructing emails
- Customized domain names with paid plans
What it Does Perfect
ProtonMail is likely one of the maximum protected e mail shoppers in life.
Pricing
- Unfastened
- Plus: $5/month or $48/12 months
- Skilled: $8/month or $75/12 months
- Visionary: $30/month or $288/12 months
11. Entrance
Front is an e mail app designed to give a boost to conversation along with your staff and shoppers.
It provides collaboration options like shared inboxes and the power to assign emails to teammates, so who’s going to answer what.
You’ll remark and @ point out different customers on e mail threads to have discussions along with your staff.
Entrance doesn’t simply carry in combination e mail accounts, but additionally social media and different apps.
Analytics give managers perception into the staff’s efficiency in real-time.
As you’ll be able to almost certainly inform, Entrance is aimed toward industry use, so there’s no loose or person plan. It’s best possible for B2B email marketing.
Key Options
- E mail shopper for Home windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
- Shared e mail drafting
- Feedback and @ mentions
- Assign emails to staff participants
- Message templates
- Customized automation
- Analytics
What it Does Perfect
Entrance is a feature-rich staff collaboration platform.
Pricing
- Starter: $19/person/month
- Top: $49/person/month
- Endeavor: Customized
Is Microsoft Outlook the right email client for you? 
Abstract
Microsoft Outlook is likely one of the peak e mail shoppers globally, nevertheless it’s no longer for everybody.
For something, it will get pricey if you wish to have a desktop shopper. And relying for your wishes, you may want one thing extra fascinated with team collaboration or safety.
Happily, there are many choices to check out.
Settled on an e mail shopper and in a position to begin making e mail paintings for your corporation? Tell us which one you’re going to check out within the feedback.
The submit 11 Top Outlook Alternatives to Try In 2022 seemed first on Kinsta®.
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