vs
Gmail vs Outlook.com
The two big free webmails. Both give 15 GB, show ads on the free plan and can read stored mail. Gmail's 15 GB is shared with Drive and Photos; Outlook's mailbox is separate from OneDrive.
Which one to pick
Pick Gmail if
- You use Android, Google Docs or Google Photos already
- You want a cheap storage upgrade: Google One starts at $1.99 a month for 100 GB
Pick Outlook.com if
- You want the 15 GB for mail alone, not shared with your photos
- You want an ad-free mailbox with Office apps: Microsoft 365 Basic is $19.99 a year, Family $129.99 for 6 people
Where they differ most
Cheapest paid plan
- Gmail
- $23.88/yr, Google One Basic (100 GB) (12 × monthly)
- Outlook.com
- $19.99/yr, Microsoft 365 Basic
Cheapest with your own domain
- Gmail
- $84/yr, Google Workspace Business Starter
- Outlook.com
- $84/yr, Microsoft 365 Business Basic
Free plan
- Gmail
- 15 GB; Shared with Drive and Photos; ads in Promotions and Social tabs; sending limits apply (number not stated)
- Outlook.com
- 15 GB; 15 GB mailbox, separate from 5 GB OneDrive (which holds attachments); ads; sending limits apply
Household plan
- Gmail
- $23.88/yr, Google One Basic (100 GB) (12 × monthly), 6 people
- Outlook.com
- $129.99/yr, Microsoft 365 Family, 6 people
Owner
- Gmail
- Alphabet
- Outlook.com
- Microsoft
Export your whole mailbox
- Gmail
- YesYes
- Outlook.com
- Not statedNot stated
Every fact, side by side
Open a row to see notes and sources. Highlighted rows differ.
GmailOutlook.comPrice
Who can read your mail
Who you're trusting
Apps and access
Addresses and features
Moving in and out
Sources (17)
- Google privacy policyVendor, checked 2026-10-16
- Gmail Help: ads in GmailVendor, checked 2026-10-16
- Research summary of the provider's pages (no single link)AI-assisted research, spot-checked, checked 2026-10-16
- Google Transparency ReportVendor, checked 2026-10-16
- Google One plansVendor, checked 2026-10-16
- Google WorkspaceVendor, checked 2026-10-16
- Gmail HelpVendor, checked 2026-10-16
- Gmail Help article 17101213Vendor, checked 2026-10-16
- Google Workspace: GmailVendor, checked 2026-10-16
- Research summary of the provider's pages (no single link)AI-assisted research, spot-checked, checked 2026-10-16
- Microsoft privacy statementVendor, checked 2026-10-16
- Microsoft Learn: encryption in the Microsoft cloudVendor, checked 2026-10-16
- Microsoft law enforcement requests reportVendor, checked 2026-10-16
- Microsoft 365: compare all productsVendor, checked 2026-10-16
- Outlook email plans and pricingVendor, checked 2026-10-16
- Microsoft Support: OutlookVendor, checked 2026-10-16
- Outlook personal email plansVendor, checked 2026-10-16