saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

email client · Microsoft

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft's new Outlook for Windows is a free, ad-supported mail and calendar app; a Microsoft 365 subscription removes the ads.

67/100

#5 of 10 email clients
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

Outlook suits people who want a free Windows mail app with a built-in calendar and mail tools such as schedule send, snooze and undo send4. Classic Outlook blocks picture downloads by default9. The catch: the free version shows ads, and Microsoft's pages do not describe a unified inbox or OpenPGP1,4.

Best for: People who want a free app with a calendar, scheduled send and undo send.

Where the points come from

Mail and accounts20 of 27
Calendar and contacts6 of 9
Privacy and encryption10 of 28
Systems and upkeep13 of 15
Price18 of 21

Mail and accounts 20 of 27 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Account typesIMAP, POP3, ExchangeIMAP and POP are available in both versions; Exchange accounts are listed7. No page describes Gmail or Microsoft sign-in by OAuth3.9 / 12
Unified inboxNot publishedNot published on the vendor's pages2,4.0 / 4
Mail toolsScheduled send, Snooze, Undo send, TemplatesSchedule send, snooze, undo send available in new Outlook. Templates counted from 'Mail templates (OFT files)', available in both2,4.8 / 8
Filters and rulesYesRules are available in classic Outlook and partially available in new Outlook4.3 / 3

Calendar and contacts 6 of 9 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Built-in calendarYes'Calendar module' is available in both versions; My Day shows the calendar in the inbox2,4.6 / 6
CalDAV and CardDAVNot publishedNot published on the vendor's pages4.0 / 3

Privacy and encryption 10 of 28 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
OpenPGPNot publishedNot published on the vendor's pages4.0 / 7
S/MIMEYesS/MIME is listed as available in both new and classic Outlook4.6 / 6
Blocks tracking pixelsYesSupport page says classic Outlook is set by default to block automatic picture downloads from the Internet9.4 / 4
Open-source appsNot publishedNot published on the vendor's pages read1,2.0 / 6
Mail stays on your deviceNot publishedNot published on the vendor's pages1,2.0 / 5

Systems and upkeep 13 of 15 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Other systemsmacOS, iOS, Android, WebStore page names free iOS and Android apps; support hub covers Outlook for Mac and Outlook.com1,6.8 / 10
Released in the last yearYesMicrosoft Store listing shows the Windows app last updated 27 August 20261.5 / 5

Price 18 of 21 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
No ads in the appNoThe free version is ad-supported, and shows ads to users of free email services1.0 / 3
Free planYesThe new Outlook for Windows is free, with a paid subscription only needed to remove ads1.6 / 6
Cost of a year$0The full app is free; the cheapest option is the ad-supported free version1.12 / 12

The rule behind each line: how we score email clients.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
Outlook for Windows (free)1 personFree1$0Ad-supported; for customers without a paid Microsoft subscription
Microsoft 365 Basic, Personal or Family1 person, or a familyPrice varies by location1,5QuoteRemoves ads served by Microsoft

Microsoft says Microsoft 365 prices vary by location5; the price line uses the free app.

Strengths

  • Free for anyone with Windows, with no limit on accounts described1.
  • Schedule send, snooze and undo send are available in new Outlook4.
  • Has a built-in calendar and S/MIME support4.
  • Apps exist for iOS and Android, plus Outlook on the web1,6.
  • Classic Outlook blocks automatic picture downloads by default9.

Limits

  • The free version shows ads to users of free email services such as Gmail1.
  • Rules are only partly available in new Outlook; classic Outlook has them in full4.
  • Microsoft's account help page does not describe a sign-in-with-Google flow; it points to provider settings and app passwords3.
  • COM add-ins do not work in new Outlook8.

What Microsoft says

Vendor claims. We show them, but they earn no points.

  • Microsoft says the new Outlook for Windows is free for anyone with Windows1.

Other email clients

  1. 1
    Mozilla ThunderbirdPeople who want a free, open-source client with built-in encryption
    88/100
    $0cost of a year
  2. 2
    BetterbirdThunderbird users who want more control over how mail is listed, sorted and searched
    78/100
    $0cost of a year
  3. 3
    BlueMailPeople who want a free app with PGP, a calendar and many accounts
    78/100
    $0cost of a year
  4. 4
    eM ClientPeople who want PGP, S/MIME and a calendar in one paid Windows app
    73/100
    $55.87/yrcost of a year

All 10 email clients

Sources

  1. Outlook for Windows - Free download and install on Windows, Microsoft Store. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. Getting started with the new Outlook for Windows, Microsoft Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. Add an email account to Outlook for Windows, Microsoft Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. New and classic Outlook for Windows feature comparison, Microsoft Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  5. Premium features in Outlook.com for Microsoft 365 subscribers, Microsoft Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  6. Outlook help and learning, Microsoft Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  7. Add an email account to Outlook, Microsoft Support. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  8. Overview of the new Outlook for Windows, Microsoft Learn. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  9. Block or unblock automatic picture downloads in email messages in Outlook, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/outlook/outlook-for-windows · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Microsoft.