Microsoft Offers FREE Outlook for Mac

Microsoft has made a significant move by announcing that Outlook for Mac is now available for free use, without the need for a Microsoft 365 subscription or an Office purchase. The move has made the email client an attractive alternative to the built-in Mail app on Mac.

Outlook for Mac is now available for download through the Mac App Store, and it offers a convenient complement to Outlook for iOS. Users can hand off email drafts to their iPhones if they haven’t finished writing them on their Macs, for instance. A forthcoming feature called Profiles will tie into macOS’ Focus modes to help users limit notifications while concentrating on work.

As with all versions of Outlook, email accounts from various third-party services such as Gmail, iCloud, and Yahoo can be used with the application. The team behind Outlook for Mac is focused on rebuilding it with performance, reliability, and accessibility in mind.

Michael Palermiti, Partner Product Manager for Microsoft Outlook has issued this clarification:

 The new Outlook for Mac is a native macOS app. There is more to do and many more features we are excited to bring to the Outlook Mac experience. We plan to continue building and maintaining best-in-class native apps on macOS and iOS. 

According to Microsoft, making Outlook for Mac free is intended to spur adoption by users who may have never given it a try. It might also encourage more users to adopt Microsoft 365 and Office, who are seeking tight integration between their email software and productivity apps.

There are not many big email clients for Mac, and some are paid-only or unlock features with subscriptions. Mozilla’s Thunderbird is one of the most notable alternatives, but the addition of Outlook for Mac as a free and easy-to-use option might be welcomed by Mac users who are looking for a reliable and feature-packed email client.

Download Outlook for Mac for Free from the App Store