Microsoft Outlook

Outlook is an email app that also contains a calendar. Besides Microsoft accounts, it can connect to Gmail and other email services, so you can read several inboxes in one place.

Features

• A focused inbox that separates important mail from the rest.
• A built-in calendar with reminders.
• Support for several accounts in one app.

Points to check

When you add another account, the app asks for permission to access that mailbox. Read what you are allowing, and remove accounts that you no longer use. Some advanced features need a paid Microsoft 365 plan.

Compare it with Gmail to see which fits better, and protect the account with two-step verification, as explained in our account guide.

Our verdict

Outlook is attractive if you want email and calendar in one place or manage several accounts, including Gmail. When you add an account it asks permission to read that mailbox, so check what you are allowing and remove accounts you no longer use. Some advanced features require a paid Microsoft 365 plan.

Setting up Outlook for several email accounts

• Add each account one at a time and read the permission screen before you allow access.
• Use Focused inbox if it helps, and turn it off if it hides messages you need.
• Check the calendar settings so that meetings from all accounts appear in one place.
• Remove accounts you no longer use, and turn on two-step verification for each one.

Short answers

Can Outlook manage Gmail? Yes, you can add Gmail and other accounts.

Is it free? The app is free to install; some features need a paid plan.

In practice: A person with a work address and a Gmail address connects both to Outlook, sees all meetings in one calendar and removes an old college account that is no longer used.

Read next

Compare with Gmail or Proton Mail. Add two-step verification as in our account security guide.