Outlook.com vs Google Workspace
On privacy it's a tie. On price it's Outlook.com. On features it's Google Workspace. Here's everything side by side, last checked 22 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Choose Outlook.com if you want a mailbox that costs nothing; to try it free first; and a provider that's been going since 1996.
- Go for Google Workspace if you'd like to use your own domain, like you@yourname.co.uk; 30 GB of storage; and more built in, including catch-all address as well as CalDAV and CardDAV sync.
| Feature | Outlook.com | Google Workspace |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Price | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| Features | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) Free | Business Starter £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | 30 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | United States |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Choice of region only on Business Plus and above |
| Founded | 1996 | 2006 |
| Free trial | Free | 14 days 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 | Offer 10% off your first year |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- Cheapest plans: Outlook.com Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space), Free. Google Workspace Business Starter, £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT.
- For free, Outlook.com gives you a free plan (15 GB), and Google Workspace no free plan.
- Outlook.com comes with 15 GB of storage and Google Workspace with 30 GB of storage.
- Data location: United States and worldwide for Outlook.com, Choice of region only on Business Plus and above for Google Workspace.
- Google Workspace lets you bring your own domain name; Outlook.com doesn't.
Common questions
Which is more private, Outlook.com or Google Workspace?
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, Choice of region only on Business Plus and above for Google Workspace).
Which is cheaper, Outlook.com or Google Workspace?
Outlook.com costs nothing to start (Free). Google Workspace's cheapest plan, Business Starter, is £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT.
Do Outlook.com and Google Workspace work with my own domain?
Only Google Workspace does (Yes). With Outlook.com your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Outlook.com and Google Workspace keep my email?
Outlook.com keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Google Workspace keeps it in Choice of region only on Business Plus and above.
Prices and the latest news
No price changes for either since 22 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.
The latest headlines: Outlook.com news · Google Workspace news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Outlook.com vs mailbox.org · Google Workspace vs mailbox.org · Outlook.com vs Posteo · Google Workspace vs Posteo · Outlook.com vs Proton Mail · Google Workspace vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Decided? These guides take you through moving your mail, contacts and address: Outlook.com to Google Workspace · Google Workspace to Outlook.com.