Compare Gmail and Outlook.com

Gmail and Outlook.com are two of the most popular webmail services, and each has its own benefits. Most people use both email providers or use either of them as primary or secondary accounts.

Because it's obvious that both Gmail and Outlook have a lot of advantages, it's helpful to compare them based on features and performance.

To answer the question Outlook.com or Gmail is the best option, the article will consider the following criteria.

1. Ease of use

Although Gmail occasionally has issues loading pages on non-Chrome web browsers, when you log in, it will work smoothly. There are various categories and inbox tabs that help you organize your email properly.

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Gmail allows you to take action on any email directly from the shortcut icons on the top of the page. Whether you want to label, block contacts or delete emails in bulk, just one or two clicks are needed. The search bar brings up exact date results based on the keywords. It's easy to keep track of old, received or sent emails.

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Using the smart lettering feature, "Smart Compose ', in Gmail, you can save a lot of time thanks to machine learning, providing suggestions as you type.

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On the other hand, Outlook.com has a slightly 'nostalgic' feeling. The editing box isn't cluttered, which is a huge plus, but the typefaces and font effects don't keep up with the trend.

You can encrypt your email right from this window, but apart from this, there are no exciting new features.

Compared to Gmail, the Outlook interface looks really backward. You must manually resize the windows and it will take longer to mark as many emails to delete. With Gmail, getting rid of unwanted email cluttering your inbox is a lot easier.

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The result : Gmail is easier to use thanks to advanced features and quick response.

2. Integration capability

Both Gmail and Outlook have mobile applications that easily sync with Android, iOS and Chrome OS. Although Outlook has its own desktop email application, it is not possible to integrate a personal Hotmail account with Thunderbird.

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On the other hand, Gmail supports Thunderbird properly. In fact, it might be more comfortable to use Gmail on Thunderbird, as emails can always be accessed from an appropriate desktop application.

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Gmail also supports other email applications including Mailbird, Apple Mail and even Windows Mail. What's more, you can also use Alexa speakers to check Gmail. Outlook.com also supports many of these clients, but the lack of convenient access to Thunderbird is a major disadvantage.

Result : Gmail won this round but with just a little difference.

3. Desktop experience

One of the best features of Outlook.com is the desktop application on Windows 10. It is much easier to use than the corresponding webmail or mobile application versions. Many people have been using the Outlook client at their workplace for years.

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What's more, using your Office 365 account, you can connect your Outlook emails to the entire Microsoft software suite.

Whether it's editing Word files directly, connecting to Skype contacts via email, moving emails to OneDrive, or managing Office 365 subscriptions, you'll get a one-stop service.

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On the other hand, Gmail does not provide an equivalent desktop experience.

The result : Outlook.com has a better desktop experience than Gmail.

4. Basic features

One of the useful features required in a good email service is the calendar. The Outlook calendar is more sophisticated and easier to use with the desktop application. You can set meetings directly and have reminders based on the selected automatic schedule.

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Gmail has a nice calendar, but accessing it is not that simple. In addition, it does not support the advanced scheduling capabilities of Outlook.

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Outlook has a very useful signature feature that allows you to use colorful templates with watermark and digital stamps. Creating a professional Gmail signature usually requires an external application, such as 'Wisestamp' or 'Hubspot'. Gmail has skipped over so many basic features to move directly to the advanced stage.

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The result : Outlook.com has more basic email features.

5. Accessibility

On desktop browsers, sometimes Gmail is inaccessible at times. For many Gmail users, this is becoming a frequent problem. Although they can always access Gmail from phone apps, sometimes it may not respond in desktop browsers, especially if you don't use Chrome.

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Gmail also refuses to use a VPN and always classifies it as a suspicious activity. When this happens, you can only log in after receiving the message to the phone (although you may have deleted the phone number from your Google account).

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Outlook almost never denies you access to your own email account. With or without a VPN, your Outlook email account is accessible on any desktop device, at any time.

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The result : Outlook is always easier to access than Gmail and will never make you locked out of your own account.

6. Design and appearance

The design of an email window affects composing the email. The Gmail text editor seems a bit unprofessional, as it jumps off the screen, which can be distracting. In addition, it only includes 3/4 windows in full screen mode. If you have to type a lot of emails, this arrangement can be more laborious.

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On the other hand, Outlook.com has a simple rich text editor, accessible from the side panel, which works best for composing emails.

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The result : Outlook has a more useful design.

7. Security and privacy

Both Gmail and Microsoft offer strong security features. From a security standpoint, Microsoft's policies on data sharing will be a bit more transparent and favorable.

What many users like about Microsoft is that you have access to all the latest statistics about information it has shared with law enforcement. Very little data (5 to 6%) is relevant to the actual content of email.

Gmail does not provide such statistical overview.

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The result : If you value your privacy, perhaps using Outlook will be safer than Gmail.

8. Managing contacts

Opening, editing and deleting more complex Gmail contacts. It should have been accessed directly in Settings. But instead, you must first go to the 9-dot symbol.

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On the other hand, Outlook has a dedicated 'Contacts' icon, which opens a new window. You can easily delete contacts, add phone numbers, enter business cards and more.

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Result : Managing contacts on Outlook easier.

9. High-end features

Gmail helps you access other Google features from one window, including Google Maps, YouTube, Play Store, Google Drive, Translate, Photos and G-Suite. While none of these options are directly related to email, they offer more functionality.

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You can access multiple authorized Gmail accounts from the same login, add new labels and themes, and sync everything on your mobile device. Meanwhile, Outlook only focuses on email.

The result : Gmail has more advanced features along with basic email.

10. Account space

Although the free Gmail account is limited to 15GB, you can increase storage by 3 to 4 times by adding a new Google account. Meanwhile, the Outlook account has 1TB capacity thanks to OneDrive support.

Result : Outlook provides more account space.

11. Office 365 vs. GSuite

This is a very subjective item. Some people are more comfortable in the Microsoft Office ecosystem, while others will prefer G-Suite applications.

The result : Gmail and Outlook.com tie.

Final conclusion

While there may be personal reasons for preferring Gmail to Outlook or vice versa, comparing each point like this will help you consider your options with a fresh perspective.

Gmail is certainly easier to use, supports more integration, and comes with premium features that span the entire Google system. However, if you prefer a traditional email setup that supports a better desktop experience, and makes it easy to manage your contacts with a lot of stable features, Outlook is a better fit.

Accordingly, based on all the above criteria, Outlook.com is a better email provider than Gmail.