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

Microsoft Outlook vs Gmail

Microsoft Outlook 4.8★ · Free to download 75
Winner Microsoft Outlook
Gmail 4.7★ · Free to download 65

Choose Microsoft Outlook for a more stable and feature-rich email experience.

Full reviews: Microsoft Outlook · Gmail

Microsoft Outlook edges out Gmail in terms of reliability and user satisfaction, despite some recent complaints about bugs and updates. Users appreciate Outlook's organization and integration with other Microsoft services, while Gmail users frequently mention issues with ads and login problems.

Head to head

features edge: Microsoft OutlookR12R44R64R78
Microsoft Outlook Users appreciate Outlook's organization, calendar integration, and overall functionality, though some find the search feature lacking R12R44.
Gmail Gmail is praised for its user-friendly interface and effective search capabilities, but users complain about intrusive ads and limited email viewing options R64R78.
ease of use edge: Microsoft OutlookR14R29R66R75
Microsoft Outlook Many find Outlook easy to navigate and intuitive, although some have reported confusion with recent updates R14R29.
Gmail Gmail is generally seen as user-friendly, but some users express frustration over recent updates affecting functionality R66R75.
reliability edge: Microsoft OutlookR8R20R70R81
Microsoft Outlook Outlook users report issues with bugs and authentication, but many still find it reliable for work R8R20.
Gmail Gmail users frequently mention login issues and app crashes, indicating a less stable experience R70R81.
price/value edge: Microsoft OutlookR14R20R64R79
Microsoft Outlook Both apps are free to download, but Outlook users feel they get better functionality without ads R14R20.
Gmail Gmail is also free, but users are frustrated with the presence of ads in their inbox R64R79.
support tieR7R28R109R100
Microsoft Outlook Outlook users have expressed frustration with customer support and account recovery issues R7R28.
Gmail Gmail users also report difficulties with account recovery and support R109R100.
Pick Microsoft Outlook if

you want a more robust email and calendar integration experience, especially if you use other Microsoft services.

Pick Gmail if

you prefer a straightforward, ad-supported email service with good search capabilities.

Evidence note: While both apps have a free tier, Outlook users tend to report a more favorable experience overall, while Gmail users often mention frustrations with ads and login issues.

Frequently asked

Which app is better for business use?
Microsoft Outlook is generally considered better for business use due to its integration with Microsoft Office and organizational features, despite some users reporting bugs R8R20.

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. [R12] Microsoft Outlook 3/5 · US Good email bad search: Outlook search is miserable. Calendar, mail sorting and options otherwise are fantastic.
  2. [R44] Microsoft Outlook 4/5 · US Search feature: The search feature still needs some work because I can find an email in a specific folder but not always in the “search all folders”
  3. [R64] Gmail 1/5 · US Ads in my email: How is this rated so well? It literally puts sponsored ads at the top of my normal mail
  4. [R78] Gmail 3/5 · US The dreaded “View Entire Message” :(: While the basic mail functionality is ok, I don’t know why Google has decided it needs you to stop reading a message in the main window at a certain point and gives you a link to “View Entire Message”. After you click this, a smaller window opens up on top for you to view it - but it’s not even wide enough for you to see the entire width of the message so it’s
  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. [R29] Microsoft Outlook 5/5 · US Fantastic App: Very organized and easy to use.
  7. [R66] Gmail 3/5 · US Inbox pane blocking full screen view: I so, so, so wish I could a full screen view of my email in the iPad’s landscape position.
  8. [R75] Gmail 3/5 · US Fix swipe to delete: When swiping to delete a message, the message does not go away or gets moved to trash. Its stays as if it was marked as an email that was read. All the updates has not fixed the issue.
  9. [R8] Microsoft Outlook 5/5 · US Microsoft for years: Never had an issue
  10. [R20] Microsoft Outlook 5/5 · US My Outlook App: Every moment is a brilliant one when using outlook! Everything at your finger tips at a moments notice. Definitely a great download for whatever you are doing!
  11. [R70] Gmail 1/5 · US Keep having to reinstall: For some reason in the last few months I have had to remove and reinstall to be able to use links within emails. Can’t seem to find any explanation online.
  12. [R81] Gmail 3/5 · US Bug: Everytime I go to add a Gmail account, accounts that I already deleted show up and when I try to go in them it says it’s deleted and to go to recovery but I can’t recover or delete them to get them off my device. I tried uninstalling, reinstalling and signing out of my accounts and everything nothing is working.
  13. [R79] Gmail 1/5 · US Let me turn off AI overview: I know how to read. I don’t need a (often incorrect) summary of the email cluttering the top of the message. When I try to turn it off, it stops sorting my emails. I’m so tired of companies trying to force AI into everything. It just makes my experience worse.
  14. [R7] Microsoft Outlook 1/5 · US Bad: stupid idiots can't recover my stolen account
  15. [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.
  16. [R109] Gmail 1/5 · US Poor Login Process: If you want something quick and easy to log into, using Gmail is not the best. I made an account a few weeks ago, however when I attempt to log in I get the same message every time; “Too many failed attempts. Try again in a few hours.” I have waited up to a week before attempting to sign back in but once it gets to sending a verification code to my phone number, it’ll just keep
  17. [R100] Gmail 1/5 · US Not secure: Why was it so easy for my account to be hacked?

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