Outlook is a well-known email service that can easily manage your emails, calendars, and contacts.
It is easy to integrate with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also helps to scan and remove malicious attachments.
The app is great for professionals who need to access documents from the cloud and send back updates in real-time.
However, not everyone needs all these features that come with Outlook or is a fan of its email service.
This is because, as good as Outlook may be, it has its limitations such as complex password recovery, slow performance, and lack of integration with Google Drive.
Luckily, if you are looking for alternatives that will work seamlessly on Windows 10, then you have come to the right place. Here is a list of some great Outlook Alternatives:
Best Outlook Alternative for Windows 10
1. Mailbird
Mailbird is a free email client for Windows that provides an outstanding user experience with its modern and sleek design. It also won the “Best of 2015” award from PC Mag.
The company’s headquarters is located in Palo Alto, with its whole development located in the US.
While Mailbird is free, it also has premium features like multi-account support and email delegation (e.g., assigning an assistant to check your mail on your behalf).
It is easy to use and allows you to connect your Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Outlook/Hotmail, AOL accounts as well as many other mail services via IMAP.
Mailbird also comes with an integrated address book, calendar, and file-sharing feature.
Mailbird takes the style of desktop Outlook and combines it with the ease of use and simplicity of Gmail.
It comes with a full set of functionalities that are common for desktop clients including customizable swipe gestures or chat capabilities via Slack integration.
In addition, it also offers a free email backup service and file sharing with Dropbox.
Mailbird is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
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2. Thunderbird
Thunderbird is an open-source and free email client that is available for all major operating systems.
The interface of the application has a traditional look, just like Outlook Express used to have before Windows XP.
However, there are also visual elements from Gmail or Yahoo Mail included in its design as well.
Thunderbird supports POP and IMAP protocols for receiving emails. It also supports SSL/TLS encryption for your data.
The application can synchronize mail between devices with the use of IMAP IDLE.
If you are using more than one device then this is a useful feature that Outlook does not have to offer its users at the moment.
You may access Thunderbird by downloading it from the Mozilla website.
It is only available for Windows and Linux operating systems. For Mac, it comes in a separate version, named Seamonkey.
The Mozilla Thunderbird interface has several options that help users organize their messages better.
You can create folders to store your emails or move them between existing ones if required.
There are also filters that allow you to define actions for messages that would match certain criteria, e.g., you can move all personal emails to a separate folder or delete them directly in the inbox.
The application offers several special compartments for organizing your contacts (including address books) and RSS feeds separately from other email folders.
It is also possible to use canned responses when composing new mails, which speeds up the process.
3. ProtonMail
ProtonMail is a well-established secure email service that has been around since 2013.
It offers a number of features, but one unique feature is its “Zero-Knowledge” policy which means that your data and messages are encrypted at all times.
What’s unique is that even the company cannot decrypt them if they were to be made available to law enforcement agencies.
ProtonMail also uses PGP which is a method of encrypting and decrypting email, so if you are sending an email to another ProtonMail user it’s already encrypted.
It also offers apps for Android and iOS. If you want more information on how this works then check out their Guide.
ProtonMail also offers more features, although its user interface is not as nice and polished looking compared to Outlook, that might be because you are used to using another email service like Gmail or Yahoo. Mail which looks different.
Some of the best features of ProtonMail include its ease of use, encryption, and security features.
Also, it’s a service made in Switzerland which means you do not have to worry about the NSA spying on your emails since they’re located outside of US jurisdiction.
It also comes together with other services like ProtonVPN for free so you can browse anonymously online or encrypt your internet connection when using public WiFi hotspots.
It’s also very easy to set up and use, all you have to do is just enter your email address and password then you’re done.
It even works on mobile devices so that means you can access your emails anywhere at any time with no hassle.
You could even set up ProtonMail Bridge for Mac or Windows to make your emails available on your computer.
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4. Spike
If you think Outlook’s UI is cumbersome, Spike is an alternative for you.
The service has a very simple interface that only shows the sender and subject of each email message.
It also does not show any ads which are always great to see, but its functionality ends there as this app lacks many basic features like multiple account support or filters.
The free version comes with one year of full access to the service. After that, you will have to pay money for each additional year of access which is pretty pricey considering there are better options out there.
Spike has some good features like sending your email via SMS or emailing USB sticks directly from the app but it’s impossible to recommend this alternative because its price and basic functionality make other apps a better choice.
The app has a huge list of features that make it one of the best Outlook alternatives which include:
- Ability to send email via SMS or USB sticks
- Personalized replies and canned responses
- Email tracking and optional read receipts. Automatic image resizing for attachments in your inbox, sent items and draft folders so you don’t have to do it manually anymore.
- Open multiple accounts
- Create and manage folders
- Organize contacts into groups, view group member details, and send messages to a group of recipients at once with BCC functionality
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5. Simple Mail
If you don’t need all those advanced features then Simple Mail is your choice as it’s free, easy to use, and it’s completely offline.
It supports both POP-based accounts as well as IMAP ones, has a simple user interface that is easy to use even by beginner users.
It lets you send emails in plain format or HTML one, automatically saves sent messages into your drafts folder for future reference again without requiring an Internet connection at any point in time.
It doesn’t have any spam protection feature but it does let you preview your email before sending it, which is definitely helpful for the user to view how their mail will appear once sent out.
It requires Microsoft .NET Framework v20 or a higher version on your PC to install and run this software program without any problem.
Like Outlook, it also lets you connect to multiple email accounts in one go.
It’s open-source software that has many hidden features and customization options available for the user if they are willing to look for them.
Its best feature is its clean, simple but effective interface without any clutter of ads or other unnecessary tools or objects on your screen when you install it.
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6. eM Email Client
eM Email Client is a full-featured email client that works with POP and IMAP accounts.
It has a clean design, which makes it very easy to use even for beginners.
The app is free of cost and offers plenty of configuration options such as multiple signatures support, automatic contacts importing from Gmail or Exchange servers, creating a custom template.
eM Client can be synchronized with Microsoft Outlook to keep emails, contacts, and calendars up-to-date.
It shares some traits with Outlook such as categories, task lists, and drafts.
For advanced users, eM has a powerful rule system that can be used to manage incoming emails automatically.
eM Client will keep your information secure by encrypting all the data in transit with SSL/TLS connection or SFTP protocol (for IMAP accounts).
You don’t need to worry about the security of your account, because the data is stored on your computer and not online.
Other top features of eM Client include but are not limited to:
- Connectors for Google Calendar, Facebook, and Twitter services. Supports multiple accounts on these SaaS (Software as a Service) applications.
- Client-side spam filter with custom rules that uses the same technology used by Outlook’s Spam Filter
- Instant Search capability allows you to find any email instantly
- Drag and drop messages within the same folder or to another folder
- Customizable message rules with conditions like “IF subject contains ‘urgent’ THEN move TO folder ‘Urgent'” etc. You can also create a custom transport rule (just like in Outlook) to automate actions based on criteria such as sender, recipient, keywords, etc.
- Exchange-type archiving, note that is available in all paid versions of the app
- Attachment reminders
- Customizable swipe gestures with different actions per folder and even per message (e.g., delete or move)
You can find more information about eM Client at their official website.
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7. EssentialPIM
EssentialPIM is a free open-source alternative to Outlook.
It is cross-platform and can be synced with Google Calendar, Thunderbird, and more.
EssentialPIM has many features that Outlook does not have including a built-in password manager, a to-do list, and the ability to encrypt your emails.
EssentialPIM is not as user-friendly as Outlook but it does have very good features for those who are looking for a replacement.
One slight inconvenience would be that EssentialPIM is only free on PC and Mac computers because there is no mobile version.
Also, EssentialPIM does not have a calendar like you would find in Outlook.
It was developed in 2007 and has been growing ever since with updates coming out every few months.
Another great thing about EssentialPIM’s updates is the fact that they add translations of their software, such as French and Italian.
One of the best things that EssentialPIM has going for it is that it is very easy to learn with just a little bit of time spent getting used to where everything is located.
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8. Polymail
Polymail is a great alternative to Outlook. It has a lot of cool features that will make your email life so much easier, and the design is really modern too.
It also has snooze functionality which can be very useful when you get an email that is not urgent and wants to come back later.
Polymail also has a calendar, so it’s like having Gmail, Google Calendar, and Outlook all in one app. You can use this feature with its reminder function or just check your schedule at work.
And of course, it has a great email tracking feature that will tell you when someone opens your message.
If somebody doesn’t reply to an important email for a long time, Polymail will also give you the option to send them reminders or follow-up messages.
There are many free apps that do this too, but most don’t have all of Polymail’s features, and the ones that do are not as good.
It is beautifully designed, even though at first you might think it looks a bit too simple.
Its key features are:
- Powerful search capabilities can find any message you need in seconds
- Send later option lets you schedule emails for delivery at just the right moment
- Get push notifications along with reading receipts so you never miss an email
- Schedule meetings directly through the calendar invite option
- Works with Gmail, iCloud, and other major providers, or use your own domain to keep things professional.
Just like Outlook, Polymail is free, and the app is supported by an optional subscription.
For those who want advanced features like a custom email logo or additional team members, Polymail Plus is also available.
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9. Shift
Shift is a powerful and intuitive app, making it a great choice for business users.
With this program, you can easily manage your emails by using keyboard shortcuts to cut down on time spent typing or converting email into tasks
The tasks will appear in the “tasks” panel as soon as they are delegated (which is also possible from within Shift).
Shift is available on multiple platforms, so you can use it on your phone or tablet while out and about.
The iOS version of Shift is free to download from the App Store, but a subscription fee applies if you want access to all of its features.
This program supports Gmail accounts only – Google Apps accounts are not supported.
From here, it’s possible to create tasks by using the ‘+’ button and set priority levels for them by using the cogwheel.
This is one of the most popular Outlook alternatives around.
It’s frequently updated with new features and bug fixes to improve performance and stability across a wide range of devices and operating systems.
Compared to Outlook, it’s a lot more minimalistic and easy to use.
This is another program that works with Gmail accounts only. It’s compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux operating systems.
All of the tools you need to build an efficient to-do list can be found within this tool for free.
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10. Zimbra Desktop
Zimbra Desktop is the best email client. It has all of the features that you need to communicate with your colleagues, friends, and relatives in a quick fashion without compromising on any security features.
One advantage it has over Outlook is that It also allows users to integrate multiple third-party accounts from platforms like AOL, MSN Hotmail, etc.
This makes it very simple for people using different service providers to communicate easily on a single platform.
Zimbra Desktop is available for free download and can be installed in less than ten minutes on Windows, Linux, or Mac computers.
The trial version of Zimbra Desktop has some limitations but if you want to use the full features you need to buy it with an annual subscription of $12 per user which makes it a pretty good deal.
Since Zimbra Desktop is an open-source email client, it offers users complete control over their data and allows them to communicate with ease without compromising on the security or performance of the network in any way.
It comes packed with features like encryption, offline mail support, and multiple account options which makes it ideal for business as well as personal use.
Zimbra Desktop also supports a large number of file formats and has apps for all major mobile platforms including iOS, Android, as well as Windows Phones making it an ideal choice for users who want to work on the go.
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11. Zimlet
Zimlet is another open-source email client that offers similar features as those offered by Microsoft Outlook such as calendar, task management, and mail support.
It also offers an offline mode which makes it very useful for users who are on the move all the time without a stable internet connection.
Zimlet is developed by the Zimbra developers team so you can expect nifty UI elements that were previously available only with commercial email clients like Outlook.
It has a wide range of widgets available on the toolbar which can be used from your Zimbra account.
This feature gives more control over how you use it with other applications like Gmail or Google Calendar.
You can also combine the best of Zimbra and Gmail together with this tool.
12. Postbox
Postbox is a full-featured email client that works on both Windows and Mac. It has a simple interface that can be customized with plug-ins from the Postbox App Store.
It also supports Gmail, Google Apps accounts as well as Microsoft Exchange Server including Outlook 365 or Office 365, IMAP accounts, and others.
Postbox is available in free and paid versions.
It is one of the best similar tools like Outlook for Windows 10 users with some great features that make it the perfect tool to manage email accounts of any type.
Postbox can be used as a Gmail client, Microsoft Outlook, and other mail clients so you don’t have to change on every different account or platform anymore.
Postbox also offers secure connections via SSL/TLS and STARTTLS so your data is always safe.
Final Words
In a nutshell, these are the best Outlook alternatives for Windows.
Some, like Zimbra Desktop and Thunderbird, are free while others may cost you a hefty sum of money to use.
How much do you want to pay? Well, the decision is yours because there’s no absolute best app out there so try them all or at least give it a shot until one clicks with your needs.
In the meantime, you can try Mailbird for Windows. It’s a good email client that comes with an integrated Social inbox to help you manage all your contacts from one place and it now has native integration of Telegram.
