{
    "products": [
        {
            "slug": "microsoft-outlook",
            "name": "Outlook",
            "kind": "app",
            "website": "https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/outlook/email-and-calendar-software-microsoft-outlook",
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/microsoft-outlook",
            "tagline": "Email, calendar and tasks from Microsoft for Windows and Mac",
            "summary": "Outlook is Microsoft's email and calendar app, with desktop versions for Windows and Mac and a web version at Outlook.com. It combines mail with a calendar, contacts and To Do tasks, and it is widely used with Microsoft accounts.",
            "developer": "Microsoft",
            "platforms": [
                "windows",
                "macos",
                "ios",
                "android",
                "web"
            ],
            "pricing": "freemium",
            "price_note": "Free web version at Outlook.com; desktop apps and extras depend on plan",
            "free_to_use": true,
            "open_source": false,
            "strengths": [
                "Mail, calendar and To Do in one app",
                "Shared calendars and delegate access"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Calendar is tied to the mailbox",
                "Desktop and extra features depend on the account and plan"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "Outlook for Windows and Outlook for Mac include a calendar with shared calendars, meeting invitations and delegate access. Microsoft's help pages list the calendar alongside To Do, so events and tasks can be managed side by side. Copilot assistance is available inside Outlook.\n\nOutlook is most useful when your email also runs through it, because the calendar is tied to the mailbox. Compared with standalone calendar apps such as Fantastical, it does more mail work and less calendar-only polish. The web version at Outlook.com is free with a Microsoft account, and desktop features depend on the account and plan."
        },
        {
            "slug": "spark",
            "name": "Spark",
            "kind": "app",
            "website": "https://sparkmailapp.com/",
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/spark",
            "tagline": "Cross-platform email app with a smart inbox and shared threads",
            "summary": "Spark is an email app for iOS, Mac, Android and Windows, with a smart inbox that sorts mail by importance. It is free to get started, and Spark Premium adds paid features. Its site lists integrations, calendar and an AI assistant.",
            "platforms": [
                "ios",
                "macos",
                "android",
                "windows"
            ],
            "pricing": "freemium",
            "price_note": "Free to get started; Spark Premium adds paid features",
            "free_to_use": true,
            "open_source": false,
            "strengths": [
                "Same app on iOS, Mac, Android and Windows",
                "Smart inbox sorts mail by importance",
                "Free to get started with a Premium upgrade"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Closed source, so the code cannot be checked",
                "Several features are tied to the Premium plan"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "Spark is an email app that runs on iOS, Mac, Android and Windows. Its homepage describes a smart inbox that helps users see what is important and clean up the rest, and the site lists integrations, calendar tools and an AI assistant. The download page lists the apps for each platform.\n\nSpark is free to get started, and its pricing page describes Spark Premium for users who need more. The app is closed source, and its strength is cross-platform reach with one interface. It suits people who want one inbox on phone and desktop with sorting and calendar tools. Readers who want a plain, open-source client may prefer Thunderbird or Mailspring."
        }
    ],
    "differences": [
        "Only Outlook runs on Web."
    ],
    "shared_rankings": [
        {
            "list": "email-clients",
            "name": "Email clients",
            "page": "https://listme.name/best/email-clients",
            "of": 10,
            "results": [
                {
                    "product": "microsoft-outlook",
                    "rank": 3,
                    "score": 87,
                    "verdict": "Microsoft's mail client for Windows and Mac, with calendar, contacts and To Do in one app and a free web version at Outlook.com. Calendar and mail are tied to the mailbox, and desktop features depend on the account and plan.",
                    "best_for": "Microsoft 365 and Outlook.com users",
                    "spec": {
                        "platforms": "Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, web",
                        "phone_app": true,
                        "open_source": false,
                        "cost": "Free web version; desktop depends on plan"
                    }
                },
                {
                    "product": "spark",
                    "rank": 2,
                    "score": 88,
                    "verdict": "One app on iOS, Mac, Android and Windows, with a smart inbox that sorts mail by importance. Its code is closed, and its Premium plan adds the paid features.",
                    "best_for": "One inbox across phone and desktop",
                    "spec": {
                        "platforms": "iOS, macOS, Android, Windows",
                        "phone_app": true,
                        "open_source": false,
                        "cost": "Free to start, Premium plan"
                    }
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "ranks_higher_in_closest_shared_list": "spark",
    "page": "https://listme.name/compare/microsoft-outlook-vs-spark",
    "json": "https://listme.name/api/v1/compare/microsoft-outlook-vs-spark.json",
    "notes": [
        "Scores are editorial and only comparable inside one list. Products with connected_to_publisher true receive a disclosed ranking lift: https://listme.name/methodology"
    ],
    "source": "https://listme.name",
    "license": "Free to read and cite with attribution to listme.name.",
    "docs": "https://listme.name/developers"
}