Gmail vs Outlook.com
In short: they tie on privacy, they tie on price, and they tie on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Gmail or Outlook.com: which should you choose?
- Outlook.com is the better pick if you want more years of history: it started in 1996.
| Feature | Gmail | Outlook.com |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Price | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month | Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) Free |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB shared with Drive | Yes, 15 GB |
| Storage | 15 GB | 15 GB |
| Your own domain | No | No |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | United States |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | United States and worldwide |
| Founded | 2004 | 1996 |
| Free trial | Free | Free |
| Funded by advertising | Yes, or its parent company is | Yes, or its parent company is |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Plus addressing only | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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The key differences
- Cheapest plans: Gmail Free (Google One 100 GB for more space), Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month. Outlook.com Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space), Free.
- Gmail has a free plan (15 GB shared with Drive); Outlook.com has a free plan (15 GB).
- Aliases: Gmail offers plus addressing only, Outlook.com yes.
Gmail and Outlook.com: your questions
Is Gmail more private than Outlook.com?
They score the same for privacy: 0 out of 5 each. The differences are in the details, such as where your mail is kept (the United States and worldwide for Gmail, the United States and worldwide for Outlook.com).
Is Gmail cheaper than Outlook.com?
Their cheapest plans cost about the same: Gmail Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month, Outlook.com Free.
Can I use my own domain with Gmail or Outlook.com?
No, neither lets you use your own domain, so your address stays on theirs.
Where is my email stored with Gmail and Outlook.com?
Both keep it in the United States and worldwide.
Recent price changes
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Gmail news · Outlook.com news.
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Gmail vs mailbox.org · Outlook.com vs mailbox.org · Gmail vs Posteo · Outlook.com vs Posteo · Gmail vs Proton Mail · Outlook.com vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Decided? These guides take you through moving your mail, contacts and address: Gmail to Outlook.com · Outlook.com to Gmail.