Apple and Microsoft go toe-to-toe on several fronts like Word processing apps. However, Apple aims to offer a solid email experience with the Mail app on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, but it still leaves a lot to be desired. That's why you can't help but look at a viable alternative from Microsoft's camp - Outlook for Mac.

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Recently, Microsoft revealed the brand-new look for Outlook for Mac, which is available through the Fast Insider group. That coupled with a bunch of other software integration in the Outlook for Mac app makes it a viable rival to the Apple Mail app.

In this post, we shall compare Outlook Mail for Mac to the default Apple Mail app. The comparison will be based on UI, Email Organization, Compose Mail, features, and apps integration. Let’s get started.

Cross-Platform Availability

Outlook for iOS. Feature-rich app. Strong community for support. Frequent updates.

I know cross-platform availability doesn’t matter much in an Email app. But I’m mentioning here so that you can expect a seamless experience on every platform. Apple Mail is only available on iOS, macOS, and iPadOS.

On the other hand, Microsoft Outlook is accessible on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Web.

Download Microsoft Outlook for Mac

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User Interface and Customization

Microsoft's plans to redesign the interface of Outlook for Mac is much needed to keep it in line with other platforms. There's a catch when it comes to trying out the new Outlook for Mac. You'll have to install it along with other Office apps through an ISO installer.

When you open Outlook for Mac, you'll notice the Compose (New Message) button and Search bar at the top. On the left sidebar, you'll find your email accounts and other folders. It is impressive how Microsoft uses a column layout style and adds the calendar integration to the extreme right. You won’t have a hard time navigating the new look.

You can change the default fonts for new mail, reply mail from the Outlook settings.

Apple Mail looks quite vanilla compared to the Outlook. The default interface shows the Email as well as folders on the left sidebar, messages list in the center, and mail view on the right. Interestingly, Apple Mail offers several customization options.

Go to Mail > Preferences > Fonts & Colors. From there, you can change the message list font, message font, and even fixed-width font. Apple Mail also allows you to change the list view preview from the default 2 lines to 3 lines or more.

Compose Mail

Apple Mail offers a bunch of editing options when you compose a mail. While writing a mail, you can change the font type, size, color, play with bold, italic options, and even add a bullet or number list.

I like how the Mail app lets you add the picture or scanned documents directly from the connected iPhone.

Outlook’s compose menu toolbar is richer than Apple Mail. It lets you highlight the words. You can even add tables and signature. Guess what? Outlook for Mac also supports templates. Yes, you can create ready-to-use templates with images and text. You can save them for later use. While composing an email, just tap on the three-dot menu above and select view templates and add a relevant one in the mail.

Such templates can be when you are composing emails related to specific subjects like marketing surveys, inquiries, and so on. Just create a master template with necessary text for each type or topic of emails you use often.

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Additional Features

If you like flagging emails, the Apple Mail offers a couple of options for neater organization. For instance, you can assign an orange flag for Bank mails and green flag to all finance mails. Most mail apps only support the normal flag (Red color) option.

From the flagged mail section, you can quickly jump to the exact mail that you are looking for. Apple Mail also supports Rules. You can select Mail > Preferences > Rules and create personalized email rules for you. I have created a rule to archive all the emails that come with Coronavirus in the subject.

We can only hope that Apple integrates services such as Reminders, Calendar, and Notes in the Mail app. It would be easy to set reminders for an email or create an event for the Mail app meeting.

Outlook for Mac app also supports to Rules options. I would highly recommend you to set some of the effective rules to organize emails like a pro. The app comes with Calendar, Sticky Notes, and Microsoft To-Do integration.

It works like a charm. If you are using Outlook as your mail provider and if you flag an email in it, the mail automatically gets saved into the Flagged mail section in the Microsoft To-Do app.

Email Export and Third-Party Integration

Apple allows you to export any mail as a PDF file menu. Open any mail and go to File > Export as PDF, and it will create a PDF file from the selected mail. Unfortunately, the app doesn’t offer any third-party app integration.

Microsoft offers a dedicated third-party app store. You can tap on the three-dot menu and go to Get add-ins from a dedicated store in Outlook.

For example, I use OneNote and Trello extensions in Outlook to directly send the selected mail to the OneNote or Trello.

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The comparison above gives you a clear view of the Apple Mail and Outlook’s strength and weaknesses. Apple Mail wins with the simple UI, mail organization, and iPhone integration. However, several folks complain that it is sluggish and buggy. Also, it doesn't translate to a pleasant performance on iOS either. Outlook for Mac brings a breath of fresh air with Microsoft apps integration, richer compose menu, and third-party add-ins. Hopefully, the Outlook for iOS also gets a facelift soon. As of now, I’m sticking with Microsoft’s offering. What about you? Sound off in the comments section below.

Next up:Recently got a new Mac? Read the post below find the best Mac apps to stay organized.

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read Next7 Best Mac Apps to Stay OrganizedAlso See#macos #email

Did You Know

Email existed even before the world wide web.

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Calendar apps on your Mac help you enhance your productivity. You can plan your day, week, month, and year to achieve your professional goals. Moreover, these apps also help you manage your personal life. Manage all your events, assignments, appointments, and reminders with the best calendar apps for Mac in 2020.

#1. Informant

The informant has bundled your task planning, notes, and calendar in a single app. On your Mac, you can easily manage everything with this single organizer.

Trusted by more than one million users, the app is pretty and smart with features like color coding and emoticons.

When you integrate your tasks in calendar views, you get clear ideas of how your day looks and goes ahead. Focus View is a unique feature of Informant. This feature allows you to pay close attention to a single day at a time. Moreover, there are customizable sections to help you see groups of tasks.

With a strong task manager, you can create projects, use sub-tasks, and manage tasks. The addition of Franklin-style priorities is a remarkable achievement.

Price: $49.99
Download

#2. Calendar 366 II

Calendar 366 II is arguably the most complete menu bar calendar for your Mac. Organize your events, reminders, appointments, meetings, to-dos, deadlines, birthdays, and more.

Individual display and themes are notable features. You can select your preferences according to year, month, week, or day. Next create your list or agenda, and color code from light red to dark to the darkest blue.

For any common user, natural text input is a boon. This feature quickly creates events without using any drop-down menu. For example, you can simply write: “Meeting with the designer team tomorrow at 11:00 am.”

Once you create events, you can find or search them with equal ease. And make changes in your events, add attachments, or notes.

Price: $14.99
Download

#3. Fantastical – Calendar & Tasks

Fantastical shows a full calendar window having, day, month, year views. You can instantly turn on/off multiple calendars with a click.

Setting up a meeting in a different city? Then, you have a feature for the location-based reminder. How about adding a few lines to events? Yes, you can add event notes to help you recall your thoughts as well. What’s more, use the dark and light themes to add some fine customization.

Price: Free (In-app Purchases start from $4.99)
Download

#4. BusyCal

What sets BusyCal apart is the range of highly user-friendly features. The app enables you to create a quick to-do list, set reminders and alarms for future gatherings or events. Plus, you can instantly arrange events using natural language.

It displays your calendar in day, week, month, and year view. You can also customize these views as per your need. There is also an option to display a to-do list in the sidebar. Any special trait? You can also view live climate forecasts.

Price: $49.99
Download

#5. Planner Pro

Aiming to organize your daily life better, Planner Pro can be your ideal companion. The app is built with a number of effective features that help arrange tasks efficiently. You can instantly add, edit, and remove events. Besides, you will be able to modify meetings’ timings without any hassle.

For each task, you can create various notes and set them based on priority. To manage tasks a little better, you can set reminders. Don’t want anyone to bump into your secret events? You can hide them to keep special events confidential.

Price: $24.99
Download

#6. Any.do

Organize your life and get more done with this calendar and to-do list app that’s trusted by millions of users around the world. It syncs seamlessly between your mobile, computer, web, and tablet to have your tasks, reminders, to-do lists, calendar, and schedule up-to-date at all times.

Further, you can even collaborate and get more done with any other person using shared lists and assigned tasks. It comes with a powerful widget that lets you have your calendar and to-do list always at hand for easy access. It also supports voice-entry and cross-platform usage for reminders.

Price: Free
Download

#7. InstaCal

InstaCal is simple but pretty neat regarding functionality. You can instantly open this app using a configurable keyboard shortcut. Then, you will view your calendars and configure them.

It allows you to use any calendar apps which you have added to your Mac. For instance, it works with Google Calendar, Outlook, Office 365, and more. Besides, you can use customizable calendar colors to make the interface more appealing.

Price: $4.99
Download

#8. Calendars

Calendars app is your one-stop solution to access your events, weather information, Google, Facebook, birthdays, and more. This app surely saves your time as you are not supposed to check your emails and Facebook feed separately. A great boost to your productivity at the office and home.

Facebook integration in Calendars is a praiseworthy move as you can check birthdays of your loved ones with a single click. Moreover, you can check events you are invited to and friends who are going to attend the events. The app also gives you weather forecasts for up to 15 days. Now plan your day or week much in advance!

Price: Free (In-app Purchases start from $0.99)
Download

#9. EzyCal

Want to be highly productive? EzyCal helps you organize your daily tasks, meetings, be it social or professional, and manage them immaculately. Since it is a Gregorian calendar, it will let you use natural language event and set reminders with beautiful calendar views.

You can effortlessly add events and make to-do lists to remain ahead of the time. Keep track of your activities. Apply vibrant colors to highlight key sessions. How about altering the size? Yes, you can have various screen sizes to have a comfy look at your agenda.

Price: $2.99
Download

#10. Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook combines email and calendar to make your office life easier. Making the most of Microsoft 365, this app helps you access your emails, files, calendar events, and contacts across all accounts. On top of this, personalized inbox and calendar let you prioritize your tasks.

You can check multiple calendars at once and place your commitments in the right order. Just keep your favorite people front and center with calendar, contacts, and email.

A smart worker, Microsoft Outlook automatically adds your travel, bill payments, and reservations to your calendar.

Apple Calendar App

Price: Free (In-app Purchases start from $69.99)
Download

That’s all, friends!

What is your plan?

Individually, people like to use calendar apps on their iOS devices. However, when in office, they prefer everything on a larger screen of Mac. Therefore, this updated list of calendar apps was long due. Which calendar app do you use on your Mac? Share your feedback with us in the comments below.

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Jignesh Padhiyar is the co-founder of iGeeksBlog.com who has a keen eye for news, rumors and all the unusual stuff that happens around Apple products. During his tight schedule, Jignesh finds some moments of respite to share side-splitting contents on social media.

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