Apple Mail vs Outlook for Mac: Comparison and Review – Guide
Apple and Microsoft are in competition for word processing applications, but Apple’s Mail app on iOS, iPadOS and macOS is lacking. Therefore, Outlook for Mac may be a better option.
Microsoft has released a redesigned Outlook for Mac, featuring various software integrations that make it a strong competitor to Apple Mail. The update is available through the Fast Insider group.
Comparing Outlook Mail for Mac and Apple Mail, this post looks at their user interfaces, email organization, writing capabilities, features and integration with other applications. We’ll explore how they stack up.
Cross-platform availability
Apple Mail is exclusively available on iOS, macOS and iPadOS, offering users a seamless experience across all platforms.
Microsoft Outlook is available across a range of platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and the web.
Microsoft Outlook is now available for Mac users, allowing them to access the popular email and calendar application on their Apple devices.
User interface and customization
Microsoft is revamping Outlook for Mac to bring it in line with other platforms. However, users must install the new version alongside other Office applications using an ISO installer.
Outlook for Mac has a new look, featuring a column layout style and calendar integration. The Compose option (New Message) button and search bar are at the top, while email accounts and other folders are in the left sidebar. Navigating this design is easy.
Outlook users can customize their experience by altering the default font for new emails and replies.
Apple Mail’s basic interface may appear plain compared to Outlook, but it offers users the ability to customize their experience. The standard view includes an email, folders in the left sidebar, a message list in the center and an email view on the right. However, Apple Mail provides users with options to personalize their setup.
Apple Mail lets you customize your message list font, message font and fixed-width font. Plus, you can switch the default 2-line list view to 3 or more lines. To make these changes, go to Mail> Preferences> Fonts and Colors.
Write an email
Apple Mail provides a range of editing features to customize emails. You can alter font type, size and color, emphasize words with bold or italic formatting, and create numbered or bulleted lists.
The Mail app enables users to quickly and easily add scanned images or documents from their connected iPhone.
Outlook for Mac offers a more comprehensive composition menu toolbar than Apple Mail, with the ability to highlight words, add tables and signatures, as well as create and save templates with images and text. With just a few clicks of the three-dot menu above, you can preview templates and quickly add one to your email.
Save time and energy when writing emails related to specific topics by creating a master template with the necessary text for each type or topic. This will help you quickly compose emails for marketing research, queries, and more.
Additional Features
Apple Mail offers users the ability to organize emails with more than just the standard red flag. With options like orange flags for bank emails and green flags for financial emails, users can easily keep track of important messages.
Apple Mail’s flagged match section allows users to quickly find the emails they need, while custom rules can be created in the Preferences menu to automate tasks such as archiving emails with “Coronavirus” in the subject line.
Apple is expected to integrate services such as reminders, calendar and notes into its Mail app, making it easier for users to set reminders for emails or create events for meetings.
Mac users can stay organized with Outlook for Mac’s rule options. With integration to Microsoft calendar, sticky notes and to-dos, users can create effective rules for managing emails like a pro.
Using Outlook as your email provider? Flag an email and it will be automatically saved in the Flagged email section of Microsoft To-Do, making organization a breeze.
Email Export and Third Party Integration
Apple’s Mail app lets you save emails as PDFs. To do so, open an email and select File > Export as PDF. However, there is no integration with other apps.
Microsoft provides a dedicated store for third-party applications, accessible via the three dot menu in Outlook.
The Outlook email client now allows users to quickly and easily send emails directly to OneNote or Trello, thanks to the new OneNote and Trello extensions.
Use Mail Like a Pro on Mac
Apple Mail and Outlook offer distinct advantages and drawbacks. Apple Mail is praised for its user-friendly interface, mail organization, and iPhone integration, but some users report it can be slow and buggy. It also doesn’t perform well on iOS devices. Outlook for Mac offers Microsoft application integration, a more robust composition menu, and third-party add-ins. An update to Outlook for iOS is coming soon. So which one will you choose? Let us know in the comments!
Discover the top Mac apps to help you stay organized and productive with your new device.
Final note
Share this article with your friends to get the most out of Apple Mail and Outlook for Mac. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us.
