Microsoft Outlook has built a reputation for being a complete email client, full of features, settings, and add-ons that make it a very powerful application. However, unless you’re a superuser who has a ton of free time and patience to customize this email app with all of its features, it’s probably a little more than you need. You can get confused trying to figure out an email client with such an extensive interface. For this reason, people who only need basic email client functionality such as sending emails and tasks/calendars are looking for simpler alternatives to Outlook. Plus, many of these alternatives are free or at least cost less than Outlook’s $100+.
The Best Outlook Alternatives
If you’re looking for a simpler interface, but still need some of the basic features of Outlook, we’ve put together a list of alternative email services just for you. For those who are scared to lose their archive Outlook correspondence, there is a handy mail viewer that will read all the mails in a matter of one click.
1. Mailbird
If a complex interface is your main problem in Outlook, then Mailbird is one of the best alternatives for you. Mailbird is designed user-friendly – its intuitive interface and simple design allow you to quickly navigate the application. That is why most people can master the service in five minutes, while it can take days or more to get used to Outlook.
2. Gmail
When it comes to brands, Gmail and Outlook are equally popular. Gmail is one of the most in-demand email clients, but there is one important difference between it and others (including Outlook) – Gmail is a web client. Webmail has obvious advantages: you can access it from anywhere and from any computer, and you don’t need to install a separate application. However, there are also disadvantages, such as the inability to read your old emails without Internet access, and fewer features/functions than applications have.
3. eM Client
Based on the interface and user experience, eM Client is the opposite of Outlook. It offers a simple, friendly design that isn’t complicated by a bunch of useless features. The entire interface also follows your wishes, making it even easier for the user. It has a built-in calendar, an instant messaging application, and supports major mailboxes (such as Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.).
4. Thunderbird
Thunderbird is very often referred to as one of the best alternatives to Outlook because of its advanced customization capabilities. This app has many standard features, but also tons of add-ons that can be installed to add even more features to it. One of the most popular Thunderbird benefits is its security. For those who want their correspondence to remain so, Thunderbird allows you to encrypt emails.
5. Mac Mail
Mac Mail is a worthy competitor to Outlook because of its ease of installation and use. While it doesn’t have as many features as the other apps on this list, it is provided with iOS and therefore requires a lot less effort to get started.
