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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Microsoft Outlook vs Google

Microsoft Outlook 4.8★ · Free to download 75
Winner Microsoft Outlook
Google 4.6★ · Free to download 55

Microsoft Outlook is the better choice for dedicated email and calendar management, while Google struggles with recent AI integration issues and core search functionality.

Full reviews: Microsoft Outlook · Google

Microsoft Outlook generally provides a more reliable and organized experience for email and calendar, despite some recent update issues. Google, while powerful, faces significant user frustration due to buggy AI features, degraded search, and privacy concerns.

Head to head

Features & Functionality edge: Microsoft OutlookR1R3R9R12
Microsoft Outlook Outlook users appreciate its organizational tools for email and meetings, and its integration with other Microsoft 365 applications . However, some users report issues with missing toolbars, difficulty moving messages to folders, and a cumbersome calendar interface R1R3R9. The search function is frequently criticized as slow and ineffective R12.
Google Google is praised for its predictive capabilities and ability to answer questions . However, recent updates have introduced an AI/Gemini interface that users find disruptive, breaking tab management and replacing useful features like reverse image search and translation R70R82. Some users also report a lack of favorite links and unwanted content being pushed .
Ease of Use edge: Microsoft OutlookR14R17R18R28
Microsoft Outlook Many Outlook users find the app easy to use and understand, with good navigation R14. However, some report glitches on iOS, difficulty sending new emails, and issues with the calendar view after updates R17R18. The authentication process is a major point of frustration for many, described as an 'atrocious' and 'endless loop' R28R37.
Google Google is generally considered friendly to use and provides quick answers . However, users are frustrated by constant requests to sign in, difficulty logging out, and a broken tab management system due to the AI interface R70. The removal of the 'read aloud' feature and changes to recent searches also negatively impact usability R79.
Reliability & Performance tieR2R4R6R8
Microsoft Outlook Outlook is praised for operating fluidly with no crashes by some users R2R8. However, others experience significant reliability issues, including the calendar not refreshing, inability to log in after updates, random password prompts, and battery drain R4R6R10. Email delivery can be unreliable, with some users not receiving emails on time or at all .
Google Google is described as fast and reliable by some . Conversely, many users report significant performance issues, including slow loading times for searches, websites not loading, and the app disappearing R72. The AI mode is frequently cited as buggy and unresponsive R97.
Privacy & Data edge: Microsoft OutlookR41R63R85R88
Microsoft Outlook Outlook users mention privacy as a positive aspect R41. However, there are no specific complaints or praises regarding data tracking or privacy in the provided reviews.
Google Google faces strong criticism regarding privacy, with users expressing concerns about information tracking, location tracking, and unwanted suggestions R63R85R88. One user explicitly states Google will give "ALL your emails and information over to any corporation that asks for it" R85.
Support & Updates tieR10R16R37R79
Microsoft Outlook Outlook users complain about weekly updates doing "more damage than good" and the inability to contact a real person for support R10R37. Pop-ups asking for app reviews are also a source of annoyance R16.
Google Google users mention issues with updates, such as the removal of features and new features being buggy R79. There are no specific comments on customer support in the provided reviews.
Pick Microsoft Outlook if

You need a dedicated, organized email and calendar application for work or school, value a generally fluid interface, and are willing to navigate occasional authentication challenges .

Pick Google if

You primarily use Google for quick searches and general information, appreciate its predictive capabilities, and are less concerned about recent AI integration issues or privacy concerns .

Evidence note: Both apps are free, so there is no free-vs-paid asymmetry. Recent negative reviews for both apps often focus on specific bugs or unwanted feature changes, which can skew perception compared to their high lifetime ratings.

Frequently asked

Does Microsoft Outlook have good calendar features?
Microsoft Outlook's calendar features receive mixed reviews; some users find them fantastic for sorting and options, while others describe them as cumbersome, confusing, and prone to not refreshing after updates R9R12R4.
Is Google's search function still reliable?
Google's search function is currently a point of contention for users; while some find it effective, many report that it has degraded, hides relevant results, pushes paid content, and struggles with basic functionality like finding specific items or loading searches R90R99R105R72.
Are there privacy concerns with Google?
Yes, many Google users express significant privacy concerns, citing issues with tracking personal information, location, and receiving unwanted suggestions, with some claiming Google shares user data with corporations R63R85R88.
How do users feel about AI in these apps?
Users have strong negative reactions to AI integration in both apps; Outlook users complain about unwanted Co-pilot features that cannot be disabled, while Google users are frustrated by its AI/Gemini mode breaking core functionalities like tab management and search, calling it useless and buggy R13R70R82R97.

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. [R1] Microsoft Outlook 1/5 · US Bar Missing: The tool bar at bottom when working with groups of emails does not appear. Really frustrating.
  2. [R3] Microsoft Outlook 3/5 · US Folders: Wish I could see my folders and move messages to them.
  3. [R9] Microsoft Outlook 3/5 · US Review: I find the calendar a bit cumbersome and confusing when i am in a rush and the way emails are grouped makes it unclear what is most recent, and causes confusion looking for an email (latest) at times - On apple ipad
  4. [R12] Microsoft Outlook 3/5 · US Good email bad search: Outlook search is miserable. Calendar, mail sorting and options otherwise are fantastic.
  5. [R14] Microsoft Outlook 5/5 · US Easy to use: Your app is way much easier to use and understand than most email sites. Thank you.
  6. [R17] Microsoft Outlook 4/5 · US New emails issues: Hard to send new emails
  7. [R18] Microsoft Outlook 3/5 · US Very glitchy on iOS: I encounter a lot of glitches on iOS.M, such as outlook randomly deciding to not allow me to respond to an email thread no matter what I do
  8. [R28] 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.
  9. [R2] Microsoft Outlook 5/5 · US Great responsive email app: The app happens to operate fluidly and no crashes.
  10. [R4] Microsoft Outlook 2/5 · US Calendar stopped refreshing: On one of the recent updates the calendar to stop refreshing. Meetings are moved but not being reflected in the calendar. I’ve tried restarting, still out of date.
  11. [R6] Microsoft Outlook 3/5 · US Latest update: I have not been able to login since the latest update. I need this for my job. I’ve been having to use a pc to access my emails
  12. [R8] Microsoft Outlook 5/5 · US Microsoft for years: Never had an issue
  13. [R41] Microsoft Outlook 5/5 · US El mejor por años: A sido mi correo desde el colegio y siempre e tenido privacidad
  14. [R63] Google 3/5 · US It’s Just Okay!: I prefer a different search engine that doesn’t change the screen if you leave it and come back to it. I also prefer one that doesn’t track your information or location. I also don’t like having suggestions based on something that I looked up because I wasn’t sure what it was.
  15. [R85] Google 1/5 · US Wow…: If anyone thought Google was bad before, being biased and all, just wait until you learn about Reckless Ben. Evidently google doesn’t care one bit about anyone’s privacy. They will give ALL your emails and information over to any corporation that asks for it. SHAME ON YOU GOOGLE. You can put those legos somewhere dark and lonely, Google.
  16. [R88] Google 2/5 · US Google way: I can’t stand how difficult you make it to sign in and then steal all available information about me you can get your T1000 hands on. Its just absurd and completely violating
  17. [R10] 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.
  18. [R16] Microsoft Outlook 1/5 · US “What do you think of our app” popups are super duper annoying: These popups asking if I’m enjoying the app makes me not enjoy the app and leave bad reviews. Stop doing that.
  19. [R37] 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
  20. [R79] Google 1/5 · US Update bug: Now when I click on recent searches I’ve made, it no longer goes to those search results but just closes the window to where you most recently were. You have to hit the arrow all the way over to the side.
  21. [R72] Google 3/5 · GB It’s good but one tiny problem: Google is great for trying to find the things you want to discover or search up. But there seems to be a recurring problem that it takes Google three or four attempts just to load searches. It always says that the website has even been permanently moved to a different website or you haven’t got Internet connection. I do have Internet connection and I think this is a
  22. [R90] Google 3/5 · GB Degraded, Hides Results, Pushes Paid Results Only: Google search is a shadow of what it was even 2 years ago. In supposed personalising it literally hides results you would want to see. It ignores profile location and country, pushing US results and sites, recipes, social accounts, everything despite my UK account. This used to work well. It pushes video and social content at all costs even if
  23. [R99] Google 1/5 · US Google is not smart.: Google is not smart. Here’s why. First of all, I typed “fossils for sale under one dollar” but it didn’t show photos Just boring Images of dinosaur fossil toys but I wanted real fossils not those replica skulls. Secondly, I typed “America’s 250th anniversary coin books” but it again didn’t work. I need a book to put in my mercury dime, dime, penny, Indian head cent, v nickel
  24. [R105] Google 1/5 · US Big yikes: I have used google for ages but it’s truly garbage now. Major bummer. Can’t find anything from searching and they’ve taken away search tools. Truly wild to me they’d ruin their whole thing.
  25. [R13] Microsoft Outlook 1/5 · US Can't disable Co-pilot, doesn't sync: I DO NOT WANT AI IN ANYTHING! If you click disable Co-pilot it still stays on. I added appointments to the app and it didn't sync to the desktop. Just not very good, I'll have to go back to Google Calendar. Microsoft is a shell of what it was, stop wasting money on AI and just build good products.
  26. [R70] Google 1/5 · US Broken tab management: The AI/Gemini interface inside the Google App completely breaks basic tab management. When I click the "New Tab" button while inside an active AI thread, it fails to open a separate, additional tab. Instead, it completely ignores the command and overwrites my current thread. This destroys my active research progress and pollutes the AI's context window with unrelated questio
  27. [R82] Google 1/5 · US Why are the features I used now just an AI Mode button?: I use the Google app for just two things, reverse image search and translation. I can sort of get to the reverse image search if I’m ok with Google having camera access, but the translate button is gone, presumably to make room for the very unwelcome AI Mode button. There may be a setting to change this, but it’s not clear in the settings, a
  28. [R97] Google 1/5 · US Your AI sucks: Do you ever find yourself with a question racking your brain that you just have to talk out and do you ever find yourself while talking desperately desiring for the AI you’re talking to to just mute you and stop listening delete the whole conversation you were having and start from the ground up if that’s the case, then Google AI is for you outside of a two sentence question you’ll

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