Outlook.com vs AOL Mail
In short: they tie on privacy, they tie on price, and Outlook.com wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Outlook.com or AOL Mail: which should you choose?
On the facts I track, these two are very close. Try both free where you can, and pick the one whose apps you like using.
| Feature | Outlook.com | AOL Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Price | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) Free | Free Free |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB | Yes |
| Storage | 15 GB | Not confirmed |
| 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 |
| Founded | 1996 | 1993 |
| 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 | Yes | 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 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
How Outlook.com and AOL Mail differ
- Outlook.com has a free plan (15 GB); AOL Mail has a free plan ().
- Space: Outlook.com gives 15 GB of storage, AOL Mail storage not confirmed.
- Data location: United States and worldwide for Outlook.com, United States for AOL Mail.
Common questions
Is Outlook.com more private than AOL Mail?
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 Outlook.com, the United States for AOL Mail).
Is Outlook.com cheaper than AOL Mail?
Their cheapest plans cost about the same: Outlook.com Free, AOL Mail Free.
Can I use my own domain with Outlook.com or AOL Mail?
No, neither lets you use your own domain, so your address stays on theirs.
Where is my email stored with Outlook.com and AOL Mail?
Outlook.com keeps it in the United States and worldwide. AOL Mail keeps it in the United States.
Recent price changes
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Outlook.com news · AOL Mail news.
Also worth a look
Outlook.com vs mailbox.org · AOL Mail vs mailbox.org · Outlook.com vs Posteo · AOL Mail vs Posteo · Outlook.com vs Proton Mail · AOL Mail vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Moving to Outlook.com · Moving from Outlook.com. Or see all my switching guides.