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Microsoft Outlook alternatives

Microsoft Outlook compared with 11 alternatives: Gmail, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, eM Client, Spark Mail and 6 more.

Microsoft Outlook has a free plan. Paid plans start at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Basic). All 11 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

11 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Microsoft OutlookThis toolFree plan · from $1.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
GmailFree plan · from $7/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
ThunderbirdFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux, Android
Apple MailFree plan · from $0.99/moYesWeb, macOS, iOS
eM ClientFree plan · from $39.95/yrYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android
Spark MailFree plan · from $8.25/moYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android
MailbirdFree plan · from $34.49/yrYesmacOS, Windows
MailspringFree plan · from $8/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux
Wino MailFree planYesWindows
Yahoo MailFree plan · from $5/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
Zoho MailFree plan · from $1/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
EPIM (EssentialPIM)Free plan · from ₹4,814.95/yrYesWindows, iOS, Android

How each one differs from Microsoft Outlook

  1. Gmail

    Google's email service, free for personal use with 15 GB of storage

    • Gmail starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter). Microsoft Outlook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Basic).
    • Only Microsoft Outlook lists Windows and macOS apps.
    • Microsoft Outlook also covers tasks and calendar.

    Suits: Anyone who wants a free personal address with 15 GB of shared storage

    Gmail vs Microsoft OutlookGmail pricing and details

  2. Thunderbird

    Free, open-source email app for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android

    • Thunderbird is free. Microsoft Outlook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Basic).
    • Only Thunderbird lists a Linux app.
    • Only Microsoft Outlook lists a web app.
    • Only Microsoft Outlook lists an iOS app.
    • Thunderbird is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: People who want a free desktop email app without ads

    Thunderbird vs Microsoft OutlookThunderbird pricing and details

  3. Apple Mail

    Free built-in email app for iPhone, iPad and Mac

    • Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB). Microsoft Outlook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Basic).
    • Only Microsoft Outlook lists Windows and Android apps.
    • Microsoft Outlook also covers tasks and calendar.

    Suits: iPhone, iPad and Mac owners who want a mail app at no cost

    Apple Mail vs Microsoft OutlookApple Mail pricing and details

  4. eM Client

    Desktop email client for Windows and Mac with calendar and chat

    • eM Client starts at $39.95 per year (Personal subscription, up to 3 devices). Microsoft Outlook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Basic).
    • Only Microsoft Outlook lists a web app.
    • eM Client can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • eM Client also covers notes.
    • Microsoft Outlook also covers inbox filtering.

    Suits: Windows and Mac users who want a full desktop mail client

    eM Client vs Microsoft OutlookeM Client pricing and details

  5. Spark Mail

    Email client with a unified smart inbox, AI tools and team features

    • Spark Mail starts at $8.25 per user / month, billed annually ($99 / year). Microsoft Outlook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Basic).
    • Only Microsoft Outlook lists a web app.
    • Spark Mail also covers meeting notes, templates and shared inbox.
    • Microsoft Outlook also covers tasks and inbox filtering.

    Suits: People juggling several email accounts across desktop and phone

    Spark Mail vs Microsoft OutlookSpark Mail pricing and details

  6. Mailbird

    Desktop email client for Windows and Mac with a unified inbox

    • Mailbird starts at $34.49 per year (Premium Yearly Plan, US Mac App Store in-app price). Microsoft Outlook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Basic).
    • Only Microsoft Outlook lists a web app.
    • Only Microsoft Outlook lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Mailbird can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Microsoft Outlook also covers tasks, calendar and inbox filtering.

    Suits: Windows users who want several email accounts in one desktop app

    Mailbird vs Microsoft OutlookMailbird pricing and details

  7. Mailspring

    Open-source desktop email client for Mac, Windows and Linux

    • Mailspring starts at $8 per month, or $85 per year (Mailspring Pro). Microsoft Outlook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Basic).
    • Only Mailspring lists a Linux app.
    • Only Microsoft Outlook lists a web app.
    • Only Microsoft Outlook lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Mailspring is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: Linux users who want a modern desktop email client

    Mailspring vs Microsoft OutlookMailspring pricing and details

  8. Wino Mail

    Free, open source mail and calendar app for Windows

    • Only Microsoft Outlook lists a web app.
    • Only Microsoft Outlook lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
    • Wino Mail is open source, according to its own site.
    • Wino Mail also covers templates.
    • Microsoft Outlook also covers inbox filtering.

    Suits: Windows users who miss the built-in Mail and Calendar apps

    Wino Mail vs Microsoft OutlookWino Mail pricing and details

  9. Yahoo Mail

    Free email service with 20 GB of storage and AI inbox tools

    • Yahoo Mail starts at $5 per month (Yahoo Mail Plus). Microsoft Outlook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Basic).
    • Only Microsoft Outlook lists Windows and macOS apps.
    • Microsoft Outlook also covers calendar.

    Suits: People who want a free address with 20 GB of storage

    Yahoo Mail vs Microsoft OutlookYahoo Mail pricing and details

  10. Zoho Mail

    Ad-free business email hosting with calendar, tasks and notes

    • Zoho Mail starts at $1 per user / month, billed annually (Mail Lite, 5 GB). Microsoft Outlook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Basic).
    • Only Zoho Mail lists a Linux app.
    • Microsoft Outlook also covers inbox filtering.

    Suits: Small businesses that want low-cost email on their own domain

    Zoho Mail vs Microsoft OutlookZoho Mail pricing and details

  11. EPIM (EssentialPIM)

    Windows organizer for email, calendar, tasks, notes and passwords

    • EPIM (EssentialPIM) starts at ₹4,814.95 per year (as shown to a visitor in India). Microsoft Outlook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Basic).
    • Only Microsoft Outlook lists a web app.
    • Only Microsoft Outlook lists a macOS app.
    • EPIM (EssentialPIM) can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • EPIM (EssentialPIM) also covers notes, kanban boards and password manager.

    Suits: Windows users who want mail, calendar, tasks and notes in one app

    EPIM (EssentialPIM) vs Microsoft OutlookEPIM (EssentialPIM) pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Microsoft Outlook

  • Free accounts show ads in the inbox; a Microsoft 365 Basic, Personal or Family subscription removes them.
  • Business Basic has only web and mobile Outlook. Apps for business ($10.00) adds desktop Outlook without business email; Business Standard with Copilot ($23.50) has both.
  • On home plans, Copilot in Outlook currently works only with outlook.com, hotmail.com, live.com and msn.com addresses, and only for the subscription owner.
  • Microsoft lists Outlook for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and the web. No Linux app is listed.
Microsoft Outlook pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Microsoft Outlook?

The alternatives to Microsoft Outlook in this directory are Gmail, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, eM Client, Spark Mail, Mailbird, Mailspring, Wino Mail, Yahoo Mail, Zoho Mail and EPIM (EssentialPIM). Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Microsoft Outlook.

Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Outlook?

Yes. Thunderbird is free to use. Gmail, Apple Mail, eM Client, Spark Mail, Mailbird, Mailspring, Wino Mail, Yahoo Mail, Zoho Mail and EPIM (EssentialPIM) have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Microsoft Outlook alternatives work on Linux?

The Microsoft Outlook listing does not include a Linux app. Thunderbird, Mailspring and Zoho Mail list one.

Is there an open-source alternative to Microsoft Outlook?

Thunderbird, Mailspring and Wino Mail are described as open source on their own sites.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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