Microsoft has announced that it is making Outlook for Mac available for free to users, offering an alternative to the built-in Mail app on the Mac. Previously, users had to have either a Microsoft 365 subscription or an Office purchase to use the email client. The move is expected to boost adoption by users who might not have otherwise given it a try.
Outlook for Mac offers several features, including the ability to use email accounts from various third-party services such as Gmail, iCloud, and Yahoo. Additionally, an upcoming Profiles feature will tie into macOS’ Focus modes to help limit notifications when users are concentrating on work.
Microsoft is rebuilding Outlook for Mac with performance, reliability, and accessibility in mind. The company hopes that the free download will encourage more users to use the software and eventually boost adoption of Microsoft 365 and Office for customers who want tight integration between their email software and productivity apps.
With Mozilla’s Thunderbird being the most notable email client for the Mac, the addition of a free version of Outlook for Mac might be welcome. Though Outlook may not always match the features of other paid email clients, it does offer an easy way for users to try it out.
