Paul O'Brieneverything email Subscribe

Microsoft 365 Business vs Lark

Microsoft 365 Business wins on privacy, Lark wins on price and Microsoft 365 Business wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 22 October 2026.

Should you pick Microsoft 365 Business or Lark?

  • Microsoft 365 Business suits you best if you want your mail kept in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham).
  • Lark is the better pick if you want a company that isn't funded by advertising; to pay less: $6 a user a month, yearly; and a free plan to start on.
FeatureMicrosoft 365 BusinessLark
Overall2.52.0
Privacy1.00.5
Price2.53.0
Features5.04.5
Cheapest planBusiness Basic
£5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT
Basic
$6 a user a month, yearly
Free planNoYes, Starter (up to 20 users)
Storage50 GBNot confirmed
Your own domain✓ Yes✓ Yes
End-to-end encryptionNoNo
Company based in United States Singapore
Your data is kept in UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham)Not confirmed
Founded2011Unknown
Free trialOne month free on some plansFree Starter plan
Funded by advertisingYes, or its parent company isNo
Works in any mail app✓ IMAP and SMTP✓ IMAP and SMTP
Calendar and contacts✓ Yes✓ Yes
AliasesYesYes
Open-source appsNoNo
Sign up without IDNoNo
White labelNoUnknown
Reader offerNoneNone
Last checked22 October 202622 October 2026

Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.

Where they differ

  • Microsoft 365 Business's cheapest plan is Business Basic (£5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT); Lark's is Basic ($6 a user a month, yearly).
  • For free, Microsoft 365 Business gives you no free plan, and Lark a free plan (Starter (up to 20 users)).
  • Microsoft 365 Business comes with 50 GB of storage and Lark with storage not confirmed.
  • Microsoft 365 Business keeps your mail in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham), while Lark keeps it in Not confirmed.
  • Microsoft 365 Business is based in the United States and Lark in Singapore, so different privacy laws apply.
  • Only Microsoft 365 Business is part of an advertising business.

Questions people ask

Which is more private, Microsoft 365 Business or Lark?

Microsoft 365 Business scores 1 out of 5 for privacy and Lark 0.5. Microsoft 365 Business gives you your mail kept in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham).

Which is cheaper, Microsoft 365 Business or Lark?

Lark is cheaper. Its Basic plan is $6 a user a month, yearly, against £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT for Microsoft 365 Business's Business Basic. Lark also has a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.

Do Microsoft 365 Business and Lark work with my own domain?

Yes, both do. Microsoft 365 Business: Yes. Lark: Yes.

Where do Microsoft 365 Business and Lark keep my email?

Microsoft 365 Business keeps it in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham). Lark keeps it in Not confirmed.

Prices and the latest news

  • 27 July 2026 Microsoft 365 Business: £5.40 (UK price change from 1 July 2026)
  • 1 June 2026 Microsoft 365 Business: £4.90

The latest headlines: Microsoft 365 Business news · Lark news.

Not sold on either? Try these

Microsoft 365 Business vs mailbox.org · Lark vs mailbox.org · Microsoft 365 Business vs Proton Mail for Business · Lark vs Proton Mail for Business · Microsoft 365 Business vs Tuta Business · Lark vs Tuta Business

Switching between them

Moving to Microsoft 365 Business · Moving from Microsoft 365 Business. Or see all my switching guides.

Get new posts and become a member

You're subscribing to Paul O'Brien - Insights, my newsletter. When I publish a new review, guide or explainer, it comes straight to your inbox. It's free, and you also become a member.

See everything members get

I'll send one email first so you can confirm it's you. Already subscribed? Sign in to manage your details