Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Mail vs Microsoft Outlook

Mail 4.6★ · Free to download 55
Winner Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook 4.8★ · Free to download 70

Microsoft Outlook generally offers a more reliable and feature-rich experience for managing emails and calendars, despite some recent issues with updates and authentication, while Mail struggles with basic functionality like email delivery and spam filtering.

Full reviews: Mail · Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is praised for its organization, ease of use, and integrated calendar, though some users report recent glitches and frustrating authentication issues. Mail, while simple for some, faces significant criticism for unreliable email delivery, poor spam filtering, and confusing interface changes.

Head to head

Email Delivery & Reliability tieR3R7R10R16
Mail Many Mail users report not receiving emails, especially verification codes, or experiencing significant delays in email delivery R3R7R10R16. Some also note issues with attachments not downloading or emails not sending R10.
Microsoft Outlook Outlook users also report issues with not receiving emails, particularly verification codes or time-sensitive 2FA codes, and sometimes experience delays . Some mention the app failing to refresh or download new emails .
Spam Filtering & Organization tieR4R12R13R19
Mail Mail users are frustrated by the app's inability to block spam emails, with some feeling the problem worsens the more they try to block senders R4R12R31R39. There are also complaints about confusing categories and difficulty finding specific emails or attachments R13R19.
Microsoft Outlook Outlook users also report issues with too much junk/spam mail getting through, even after blocking senders R102. Some find the grouping of emails unclear, making it hard to find the most recent messages .
Ease of Use & Interface edge: Microsoft OutlookR13R15R20R23
Mail Mail receives mixed reviews, with some finding it easy and simple R20R23 while others describe it as not user-friendly, difficult to organize, or requiring instructions R15R46. Recent updates are cited as making the app more complicated or causing unexpected changes to the mailbox view R13.
Microsoft Outlook Outlook is generally praised for being easy to use and understand . However, some users find the calendar cumbersome and note that the interface on Mac is not as good as on Windows . There are also complaints about annoying pop-ups and accessibility issues for visually impaired users .
Features & Functionality edge: Microsoft OutlookR17R24R51R61
Mail Mail users report issues with the search function not working or providing irrelevant results R24. There are also complaints about not being able to print entire message threads or the 'Reply To' function using the wrong address after forwarding R51. Some desire features like voice, video, and text-to-speech integration R17.
Microsoft Outlook Outlook is appreciated for its organization, calendar integration, and reminders R92. However, the search feature is frequently criticized for being slow or not working effectively across all folders . Users also report missing toolbar options, inability to move messages to folders, and glitches with copy/pasting R61. The inability to disable Co-pilot (AI) is a concern for some .
Stability & Performance tieR10R45R48R70
Mail Mail users report issues like the app disappearing from the home screen R45, network cuts when there are too many messages R48, and general slowness R10.
Microsoft Outlook Outlook users frequently report glitches, the app stating it's updating but not refreshing , random requests for passwords R70, and battery drain R70. Some experience the app logging them out weekly or crashing .
Security & Account Management tieR31R34R43R46
Mail Mail users express concerns about security, including difficulty changing passwords R46, emails going to another name, and spam/scam texts R31. The lack of ability to view email headers or security verification is highlighted as a significant flaw R34. Some also report random charges to their card if they pay for iCloud storage R43.
Microsoft Outlook Outlook faces severe criticism for its authentication process, with many users getting stuck in loops with the Authenticator app, making it impossible to log in R88R91R94R97. Users also report issues recovering stolen accounts and the app demanding passcodes too frequently .
Pick Mail if

You are deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem and prefer a very minimalist email client, or if you find Outlook's interface too complex R23.

Pick Microsoft Outlook if

You need a more robust email client with integrated calendar features, are comfortable with Microsoft products, and prioritize organization, even if it means dealing with occasional glitches or authentication challenges R71.

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of reviews, but many for Mail are short or unspecific. Outlook's recent negative reviews frequently highlight issues with authentication and updates, which might skew recent sentiment compared to its higher lifetime rating.

Frequently asked

Which app is better for managing spam?
Neither app has a clear edge in managing spam, as users of both Mail and Microsoft Outlook report significant issues with unwanted emails getting through even after blocking senders R12R39R102.
Do these apps have issues with email delivery?
Yes, both Mail and Microsoft Outlook have reported issues with email delivery; Mail users frequently complain about not receiving emails or verification codes, or experiencing delays R3R7R10R16, while Outlook users also mention delays and failure to receive time-sensitive emails .
Is Microsoft Outlook good for work or professional use?
Microsoft Outlook is considered a great professional experience for work and college, with users appreciating its organization, calendar features, and reminders R71R92R115.
Are there any known issues with logging into Microsoft Outlook?
Yes, many Microsoft Outlook users report severe issues with logging in, often getting stuck in an endless loop with the Authenticator app, making it impossible to access their accounts R88R91R94R97.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R3] Mail 3/5 · US Mail is so far the worst app: I suddenly stop getting any emails I don’t know what happened I just stoped getting emails bus it is go so it gets 3 stars
  2. [R7] Mail 2/5 · US It doesn’t work for me: For some reason I don’t get anything even when I’m trying to sign in to websites it doesn’t It only sends me the thing from Apple send it
  3. [R10] Mail 1/5 · US Updating: Says updating for weeks yet does not update and will not download attachments. Does not send or deliver all emails
  4. [R16] Mail 1/5 · US Apple 17: Loss access to emails since I bought new iPhone 17. I had to load Gmail app so I could get emails.
  5. [R4] Mail 1/5 · US Junk junk and more junk: Could delete all emails, pure junk
  6. [R12] Mail 3/5 · US Ongoing Headache: I’ve yet to get my app to chime for new email. Which I guess is good because of all the stupid spam emails I get. Which comes to my next headache…this app will NOT block spam emails when you block them. It seems like the more I block the worse it gets. Frustrating. I’m about to stop using it. And there’s no help in sight.
  7. [R13] Mail 1/5 · US Unexpected changes: Why does my mail box keep changing? Now I am only allowed to see unread emails, can’t even see my inbox
  8. [R19] Mail 1/5 · US Categories Unclear: The ways the categories are set up, it’s very confusing to find read email that I need to return to, my sent email and to attachments.
  9. [R15] Mail 3/5 · US Not user friendly: Instructions needed to use and organize the Mail Box
  10. [R20] Mail 5/5 · US Best Mail App: Definitely my go to mailing app. It has never given me any issues. I definitely always recommend everyone to use for their default mailing app
  11. [R23] Mail 5/5 · US Soo good!: This app is super nice, speak, AND fun to use! Unlike Gmail, apple mail is very nice🙂‍↔️👌🏻
  12. [R17] Mail 5/5 · US Satisfactory: But could be better when added with voice, video, text to speech and linked with note …
  13. [R24] Mail 3/5 · US SEARCH DOES NOT WORK: Edit: search is still not working. I search for ‘survey’ and it locates emails with ‘form’. Not any better than not working at all like before. After last update, the search no longer works. I put in the name or word I am looking for on all my emails and nothing comes up.
  14. [R51] Mail 3/5 · GB Couple of basic problems: Full of features but issues with a couple of basic functions make it frustrating to use. 1. Cannot print a whole message thread. The print option is not shown when viewing emails in a thread. It would be useful for record keeping to print the whole thread to a PDF file. 2. ‘Reply To’ an email uses the wrong address if the email has been forwarded. It replies to the forw
  15. [R61] Microsoft Outlook 1/5 · US Bar Missing: The tool bar at bottom when working with groups of emails does not appear. Really frustrating.
  16. [R45] Mail 3/5 · US Disappeared from home screen: Everything was great till the app suddenly disappeared from my home screen and I can’t get it back
  17. [R48] Mail 3/5 · GB Good but..: When there is soo much messages your network cuts you off. I had over 1000+ messages and my internet was bad but on my laptop there was only 1 e-mail and the internet was good and they share the same network
  18. [R70] Microsoft Outlook 1/5 · US Buggy, drains the battery: The app keeps on asking for my email account password at random times and it drains the battery fast. The phone is always warm. I have to delete it. Those needless weekly updates do more damage than good.
  19. [R31] Mail 1/5 · US e-trickery and too ill to act on it: Emails go to another name. Scam Spam text messages daily, even with Apple updates. Phone calls Read Only invasive. Untrustworthy Siri.
  20. [R34] Mail 1/5 · US Elephant in the room: My iPhone has an amazing set of security and privacy features. The inability to view email headers and security verification in the app is inexcusable to the point of this not being implemented would be SEEMINGLY INTENTIONAL. All these smart engineers and “whoops we forgot this very basic thing with the single most used app”, lol, yeah right. Further, the masking of the from
  21. [R43] Mail 1/5 · US U can’t get mail: If u don’t pay for storage u don’t get emails I don’t get that and when u do pay for it apple just charges your card randomly with all kinda of amounts and when u do get ahold of apple and talk to someone they just don’t know what ur talking about or if u don’t put ur debit card on iCloud u can’t even download games free games at that I don’t understand why apple need your card n
  22. [R46] Mail 1/5 · US Not safe: Hard to use I can’t change passwords
  23. [R39] Mail 3/5 · US ok: i’ll try to unsubscribe from a mallet thing but it doesn’t work i still get mail from them
  24. [R102] Microsoft Outlook 3/5 · GB Spam mail: Too much junk/ spam mail gets through even though I block them.
  25. [R71] Microsoft Outlook 5/5 · US School email address: This email system has been easily accessible for communication and access to the apps, I will continue to use this in the future as well
  26. [R92] Microsoft Outlook 5/5 · US My feedback on Outlook application: This application is very helpful for me because it organises my meetings and reminds me of important things. I really appreciate tools like Outlook, along with AI and other helpful resources, as they make my life easier.
  27. [R115] Microsoft Outlook 5/5 · US Outlook: great professional experience for work and college
  28. [R88] Microsoft Outlook 1/5 · US Authentication is atrocious: If you use this on mobile they make it impossible to authenticate on a single device, the app tries to authenticate on the authentication app via the authentication app. If you have a meeting to get to on mobile and you get signed out good luck. Also the outlook sign in solution also failed. This process all around is a failure.
  29. [R91] Microsoft Outlook 1/5 · US Truly poor: Truly unusable, Authenticator is terrible. What a bad product.
  30. [R94] Microsoft Outlook 2/5 · US Richest poor software in the world: The application functions just like any other email application with the added side effect that you will randomly not be able to sign in due to their Authenticator app being complete and total garbage. It will trap you in an endless loop of needing to use the Authenticator app to authenticate that you’re using the Authenticator app so you can authenticate outloo
  31. [R97] Microsoft Outlook 1/5 · US Authenticator App wants to Authenticate Authenticator App through Authenticator App.: I can’t log into the Outlook app on my phone without it going through the Authenticator app. Authenticator app wants me to authenticate the Authenticator app login through my Authenticator app. I can’t use the same app to authenticate my ability to use the same app. Furthermore, there is no number I can call to

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store