Difference Between Gmail and Outlook 365

Key Difference – Gmail vs Outlook 365
 

Gmail and Outlook 365 are two applications which provide email services. Outlook is provided by Microsoft whereas Gmail is provided by Google. The key difference between Gmail and outlook 365 that Gmail is a free email provider whereas Outlook 365 is a subscription based service. While both have many convenient features, there are also many differences between these two email services.

CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Outlook 365
3. What is Gmail
4. Side by Side Comparison – Gmail vs Outlook 365

Outlook 365 – Features and Specifications

The outlook web app in office 365 is used to manage personal information. This is provided by Microsoft and comes with Office 365 and Exchange server and Exchange online. It includes a web-based email client, a contact manager, and a calendar tool. It also comes with add-in integration, Skype on the web, unified themes and alerts that work with all web apps. Outlook on the web is navigated with the use of an app launcher icon. When executed, it will bring down a list of web apps the user can choose from. In 2015, outlook.com was upgraded to support outlook on the web and Office 365. The upgrade was completed in 2017.

Microsoft Office includes Outlook that works with a Mac or PC. Office 365 is capable of running on the computer as well as online. The application of Office 365 can be accessed with the help of a web browser on any computer or supported device. There are different features that come with business and personal plans of the suite. The personal plan comes with a limit on the number of devices that can access Office 365. Office online comes with reduced functionality when compared with Office 365. Likewise, Outlook.com which replaced Hotmail, Microsoft’s free web-based service comes with reduced functionality when compared with Outlook which comes with Office 365.

Office 365 saves all your information on Cloud. This allows you to access your calendar, tasks, notes, contacts from anywhere on any device. The downside of accessing such information is, that it won’t work as fast as with your own device and will require internet or Wi-Fi access to view the information on a web browser.

As mentioned before, Microsoft provides Outlook on the web as a part of Exchange server or Exchange online and Office 365. This enables users to connect to email accounts via a web browser. This will eliminate the requirement for installation of Microsoft outlook or other email clients.

Figure 1: Outlook logo

Gmail – Features and Specifications

Gmail is Google’s own free email service. If you have a Google Account, you are already an owner of a Gmail account. Inbox is an optional upgrade for Gmail users. You can sign up for an account very easily if you require a Gmail account. In the beginning, though users had to invite their friends in order to obtain a Gmail account limiting the number of users. This created demand and limited growth. Gmail was one of the most popular email services available at that time. The invitation system came to an end officially on February 14th, 2007.

Gmail is sponsored by AdSense ads. These ads are displayed on the side of the panel within the Gmail website. These ads are not obstructive and are computer generated according to the keywords in the mail message. There are no ads currently displayed on Gmail messages that can be viewed on Android phones.

Gmail now shows hangouts on the left side of the screen. You can also video call and voice chat instantly. Gmail comes with ample storage space. You can archive old messages rather than deleting. Gmail storage space is shared between Google accounts that include Google Drive. You can buy additional storage space if required. You can use other programs like Apple mail and Outlook to retrieve mail messages. You can also search through Gmail for emails and talk transcripts. With the use of a Chrome extension, you can even view emails on Gmail offline. New messages will be received as soon as the computer connects to the internet.

You can check your Gmail by using a mobile phone. You can also get new notifications on your desktop as soon as you receive new mail.

Although Gmail exploded into popularity, spammers use it as an effective tool. You mail may be occasionally spammed by spam detection software through email servers. Gmail is capable of archiving your data, but it should not be the only mode of backup.

Gmail is one of the best email service providers out there. Many users rely on Gmail as their primary email address. Gmail provides an amazing number of features, and ad obstruction is almost unnoticeable when compared with other free email services.

Figure 2: Gmail logo

What is the difference between Gmail and Outlook 365?

Image Courtesy:
1. “New Logo Gmail” By Juancameneses11, Google, INC  (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Outlook.com logo and wordmark” By Original logo: Microsoft Corporation (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

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