Free Microsoft Outlook Alternatives for Windows

There are many alternatives to Microsoft Outlook for Windows if you are looking for a replacement. The best free Windows alternative is Thunderbird, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft Outlook and loads of them are free and available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free Windows alternatives to Microsoft Outlook are eM Client, Mailbird, Betterbird and Spark Mail.

filter to find the best alternatives

Microsoft Outlook alternatives are mainly Email Clients, but if you're looking for Calendar Apps or Todo List Managers you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows + Free and Windows + Open Source. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Microsoft Outlook.
Microsoft Outlook iconMicrosoft Outlook
  397
  • ...

Manage emails, calendars, contacts, and tasks with an intuitive interface. Features smart inbox, file management, and third-party app integration.

More about Microsoft Outlook
More about Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook alternatives page was last updated Feb 8, 2025
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  1. Thunderbird icon

    Thunderbird

     2467 likes
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    Cross-platform email client supporting multiple identities, chat, and strong filtering. Extend functionality with add-ons like RSS/Atom feed readers and PGP support.

    85 Thunderbird alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Haiku
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    Thunderbird screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Intuitive Interface
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Multiple Account support
    3.  IMAP Support
    4.  Calendar Integration
    5.  SMTP Support
    6.  Email Organizer
    7.  Add-ons
    8.  Built-in RSS reader
    9.  POP3 Support
    10.  Graphical User Interface
    11.  Dark Mode
    12. Google Calendar icon  Google Calendar integration

    Thunderbird VS Microsoft Outlook

     
    Comments about Thunderbird as an Alternative to Microsoft Outlook
    Comment summary: Thunderbird is praised for being a strong open-source alternative to Microsoft Outlook, with numerous extensions enhancing its functionality. Users value its seamless compatibility across different Linux distributions and appreciate the built-in calendar, though some desire further improvements in calendar integration. Many find Thunderbird intuitive and easier to use than Outlook, though a minority consider its interface complicated. Security and customization are notable advantages.
    Top Positive Comment
    John Fastman
    Jan 1, 2017
    12

    Despite its age, Thunderbird remains the most fully featured email client out there. Various add-ons can extend its functionality, it (now) has a built in calendar and, unlike Outlook, it's free, open source and respects your privacy.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Aug 5, 2020
    16

    The interface is just impossible for many people to use.

    Most Recent Comment
    Shaz Shah
    Positive May 31, 2024
    0

    I remember when I first used Thunderbird, many years ago, as I'd rather have a single interface for productivity. But the interface through me off and I never got on with the editor. Coming back to it now, it's fresher and smoother. Absolutely love it. In my opinion this is the only true alternative to Outlook. Then there's the bonus of extensions to further enhance it. Though, I'd like to see further improvements to the calendar integration.

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    3 of 15 comments
    Microsoft Outlook Icon
    Thunderbird icon

    • Most users think Thunderbird is a great Microsoft Outlook alternative.

    • Thunderbird is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & Linux alternative to Microsoft Outlook.

    • Thunderbird is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Microsoft Outlook.

    • Thunderbird is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Outlook is Paid and Proprietary
    • Thunderbird is CustomizableMicrosoft Outlook is not according to our users
  2. eM Client icon

    eM Client

     231 likes
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    eM Client is a full featured e-mail client with a modern and easy to use interface. eM Client also offers calendar, tasks, contacts, notes and chat.

    61 eM Client alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    eM Client: Inbox view

    Top eM Client Features

    1.  IMAP Support
    2.  Calendar Integration
    3.  Multiple Account support
    4.  PGP Encryption
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Exchange
    7.  Unified inbox
    8.  Cloud Sync
    9.  Email Organizer
    10. Google Calendar icon  Sync with Google Calendar
    11.  Automatic Backup
    12.  CardDAV Support

    eM Client VS Microsoft Outlook

     
    Comments about eM Client as an Alternative to Microsoft Outlook
    Top Positive Comment
    hellih
    Nov 24, 2019
    0

    It is not very overcomplicated! Very simple, but functional design. therefore also very easy to set up and use.

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Aug 29, 2021
    0

    Supports 365 Shared Mailboxes.

    Guest
    Positive Jun 16, 2020
    1

    One of the only fully integrated email and calendar solutions that supports Office365, Exchange, Outlook, Gmail, GSuite, POP, and IMAP. Good performance and usability.

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    3 of 5 comments
    Microsoft Outlook Icon
    eM Client icon

    • Most users think eM Client is a great Microsoft Outlook alternative.

    • eM Client is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Outlook is Paid and Proprietary
  4. Mailbird icon

    Mailbird

     306 likes
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    Streamline your email experience by managing multiple accounts, integrating apps like Slack and Google Calendar, and using AI-driven features like drafting and spam prevention. Customize your workspace with themes, notifications, and tools for improved productivity and a modern interface.

    64 Mailbird alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Mailbird screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Clean design

    Features

    1.  Sync Contacts
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Undo send
    4.  Email tracking
    5.  Unified inbox
    6.  GSuite Integration
    7. Slack icon  Slack integration
    8.  Multiple Account support
    9. Asana icon  Asana integration
    10.  Email template editor
    11.  Email Organizer
    12.  Spam Filter

    Mailbird VS Microsoft Outlook

     
    Comments about Mailbird as an Alternative to Microsoft Outlook
    Guest
    Negative Nov 30, 2018
    -1

    Not enough functionality. No smart attachment feature, no quick sort by address or flags or attachments etc. Not really a business email client

    Guest
    Negative May 9, 2019
    -10

    These are email clients not replacements for outlook

    Microsoft Outlook Icon
    Mailbird icon

    • Most users think Mailbird is a great Microsoft Outlook alternative.

    • Mailbird is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Outlook is Paid and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Mailbird icon
    Mailbird

    Streamline your email experience by managing multiple accounts, integrating apps like Slack and Google Calendar, and using AI-driven features like drafting and spam prevention. Customize your workspace with themes, notifications,...

    https://www.getmailbird.com
    Learn More
  6. Betterbird icon

    Betterbird

     53 likes
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    Betterbird, a soft fork of Mozilla Thunderbird, improves user experience with advanced features, bug fixes, security patches, and multi-row descriptions similar to Outlook. Compatible with multiple platforms and can be used alongside Thunderbird, sharing the same profile.

    27 Betterbird alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Chocolatey
    Betterbird screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Support for Themes
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Multiple Account support
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Unified inbox
    5.  Spam Filter
    6.  Calendar Integration
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  SMTP Support
    10.  POP3 Support
    11.  Portable
    12.  IMAP Support

    Betterbird VS Microsoft Outlook

     
  7. Spark Mail icon

    Spark Mail

     131 likes
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    E-mail app with all the great features: swipes (long/short), snooze, add (multiple) attachments from the cloud, support for various e-mail services and more.

    61 Spark Mail alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • UA flagUkraine

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    Spark Mail screenshot 1

    Top Spark Mail Features

    1.  Multiple Account support
    2.  Email Scheduling
    3.  Snooze Mail
    4.  Cloud Sync
    5.  Calendar Integration
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Email Organizer
    8.  Unified inbox
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Mail Filtering
    11.  Ad-free
    12. Google Calendar icon  Sync with Google Calendar

    Spark Mail VS Microsoft Outlook

     
    Comments about Spark Mail as an Alternative to Microsoft Outlook
    Guest
    Positive Jan 25, 2020
    -1

    Nice client. Great UI. It does lack Caldav support unfortunately.

    Microsoft Outlook Icon
    Spark Mail icon

    • Most users think Spark Mail is a great Microsoft Outlook alternative.

    • Spark Mail is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to Microsoft Outlook.

    • Spark Mail is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Outlook is Paid and Proprietary
  8. Mailspring icon

    Mailspring

     107 likes
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    Boost your productivity and send better email with Mailspring, a beautiful, fast email client for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Mailspring is free to use and an optional pro version adds read receipts, send later, reminders and more.

    42 Mailspring alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    • Fedora
    • Ubuntu
    Clean design with integrated search and swipe gestures

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  User friendly
    3.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Unified inbox
    2.  Multiple Account support
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Email tracking
    5.  Snooze Mail
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Built-in translation
    8.  Theme Customization
    9.  IMAP Support
    10.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    11.  Email Organizer
    12.  Keyboard Shortcuts

    Mailspring VS Microsoft Outlook

     
    Comments about Mailspring as an Alternative to Microsoft Outlook
    Most Recent Comment
    Paul
    Positive Feb 7, 2023
    0

    Since Thunderbird is still bloated and overcomplicated for me on Linux, I'm using Mailspring for the moment. It's good, the interface is nice and it has plenty of features.

    Guest
    Positive Jun 12, 2021
    0

    Speed of work, good connection to the mail server, speed search.

    Guest
    Positive Jul 3, 2019
    0

    Beautiful theme options with custom designed themes available. I tried thunderbird a few times but always came back to mailspring. I LOVE the "views" feature that shows you how many times an email was opened and if it was forwarded by the recipient!

    Microsoft Outlook Icon
    Mailspring icon

    • Most users think Mailspring is a great Microsoft Outlook alternative.

    • Mailspring is Freemium and Open SourceMicrosoft Outlook is Paid and Proprietary
    • Mailspring is CustomizableMicrosoft Outlook is not according to our users
  10. Claws Mail icon

    Claws Mail

     102 likes
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    Claws Mail is an email client (and news reader), based on GTK+, featuring

    Quick response Graceful, and sophisticated interface Easy configuration, intuitive operation Abundant features Extensibility Robustness and stability.

    61 Claws Mail alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    The main window

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Multiple Account support
    3.  IMAP Support
    4.  Spam Filter
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Calendar Integration
    10.  Portable
    11.  GPG Encryption
    12.  Built-in RSS reader

    Claws Mail VS Microsoft Outlook

     
    Comments about Claws Mail as an Alternative to Microsoft Outlook
    Guest
    Negative Jan 18, 2020
    -2

    Claws Mail is email only, does not have many of the features of Outlook. Displaying HTML mail is sketchy at best.

    Microsoft Outlook Icon
    Claws Mail icon

    • Some users think Claws Mail is a great Microsoft Outlook alternative, some don't.

    • Claws Mail is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Outlook is Paid and Proprietary
    • Claws Mail is Lightweight and Privacy focusedMicrosoft Outlook is not according to our users
7 of 51 Microsoft Outlook alternatives