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Compare Microsoft Outlook and iCal

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At a Glance
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook
Star Rating
(2,956)4.5 out of 5
Market Segments
Enterprise (38.9% of reviews)
Information
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about Microsoft Outlook
iCal
iCal
Star Rating
(194)4.1 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (49.4% of reviews)
Information
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about iCal
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
  • Users report that Microsoft Outlook excels in its Unified Inbox feature, scoring 9.0, which allows for seamless management of emails from multiple accounts, while iCal lacks this comprehensive integration, making it less efficient for users with multiple email addresses.
  • Reviewers mention that the Calendar Collaboration feature in Microsoft Outlook, rated at 9.0, significantly enhances teamwork by allowing users to share calendars easily, whereas iCal's collaboration tools, rated at 8.0, are seen as less robust, limiting effective team scheduling.
  • G2 users highlight the superior Reminders functionality in Microsoft Outlook, with a score of 9.3, which provides customizable alerts that help users stay on top of their tasks, while iCal's reminder system, although functional, does not offer the same level of customization or effectiveness.
  • Users on G2 appreciate the Desktop Application of Microsoft Outlook, scoring 9.2, for its rich feature set and user-friendly interface, while iCal's desktop experience is often described as more basic and less feature-rich, which can hinder productivity.
  • Reviewers mention that Microsoft Outlook's Quality of Support is rated at 8.6, indicating a strong support system for users, while iCal's support, rated at 8.2, is perceived as less responsive, which can be a drawback for users needing assistance.
  • Users say that the Location-Based Alerts in iCal, rated at 8.9, are particularly useful for users who want reminders based on their geographical location, a feature that Microsoft Outlook does not emphasize as strongly, scoring 8.5 in this area.
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
Microsoft Outlook
No pricing available
iCal
No pricing available
Free Trial
Microsoft Outlook
No trial information available
iCal
No trial information available
Ratings
Meets Requirements
9.2
2,263
8.2
167
Ease of Use
8.9
2,310
8.9
168
Ease of Setup
8.9
505
8.5
50
Ease of Admin
8.6
273
8.1
37
Quality of Support
8.6
1,833
8.2
107
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
8.8
254
7.5
33
Product Direction (% positive)
8.4
2,195
6.5
172
Features by Category
9.0
8,466
Not enough data
Inbox Tools
9.1
893
Not enough data
8.9
956
Not enough data
9.3
961
Not enough data
9.2
969
Not enough data
Coordination Tools
9.3
966
Not enough data
8.9
950
Not enough data
8.8
902
Not enough data
Software Options
9.2
961
Not enough data
8.7
908
Not enough data
8.8
9,917
8.4
282
Calendar View
8.9
970
8.8
26
8.8
976
8.3
26
Shared Calendar
9.0
973
8.0
25
8.9
930
8.5
26
Accessibility
8.8
831
8.7
25
8.6
844
7.2
25
Integration
8.8
893
8.9
26
8.9
902
8.8
26
8.9
924
8.0
26
Notifications
9.0
928
8.5
25
8.5
746
8.9
26
Generative AI
Feature Not Available
Feature Not Available
Feature Not Available
Feature Not Available
Feature Not Available
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Not enough data
Generative AI
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook
iCal
iCal
Microsoft Outlook and iCal are categorized as Calendar
Unique Categories
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook is categorized as Email and Email Client
iCal
iCal has no unique categories
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
25.4%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
35.7%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
38.9%
iCal
iCal
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
49.4%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
26.1%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
24.4%
Reviewers' Industry
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook
Information Technology and Services
13.6%
Computer Software
8.3%
Hospital & Health Care
3.8%
Financial Services
3.6%
Higher Education
3.6%
Other
67.2%
iCal
iCal
Computer Software
10.6%
Marketing and Advertising
9.5%
Internet
4.8%
Information Technology and Services
4.2%
Primary/Secondary Education
3.7%
Other
67.2%
Most Helpful Reviews
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook
Most Helpful Favorable Review
CB
Celeste B.
Verified User

Great calendaring. Nice signature and template saving.

Most Helpful Critical Review
Raviraj R.
RR
Raviraj R.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services

Archiving the mails. This is still not straight forward method. Setting the archiving of mails and setting rules for mail is still a pain staking tasks. It does'nt allow me to send .exe or executable files as an attachment, i still not able to figure out...

iCal
iCal
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Eric M.
EM
Eric M.
Verified User in Mining & Metals

Works well on the iPhone. Now on the iPhone you can sync up all your calendars to show in the Apple calendar (exchange, gmail, shared, etc) and this feature is nice, but you can also do this within Google...

Most Helpful Critical Review
Michael S.
MS
Michael S.
Verified User in Insurance

I use Apple Calendar on my Ipad. All of my three email accounts are through Google. Apple and Google don't have the greatest track record for compatibility. When I sync my Google calendar with the Apple calendar I lose almost all my event management...

Alternatives
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook Alternatives
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Google Workspace
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Zoho Mail
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iCal
iCal Alternatives
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Calendly Sales
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Google Workspace
Google Workspace
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Zoho Mail
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Chili Piper
Chili Piper
Add Chili Piper
Discussions
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook Discussions
What business advantages does Outlook give over Gmail?
5 comments
Stephen P.
SP
As an e-mail client, Outlook is unexceptional. The driving difference is whether you want the overhead & control of hosting Exchange, or are content letting...Read more
What are the features of Outlook?
4 comments
Annice B.
AB
Mail and calendar are the top features.Read more
What are the latest integrations and features in Microsoft Outlook that enhance email communication and productivity?
3 comments
SM
I like that you can pin conversations to the top of the email.Read more
iCal
iCal Discussions
Is iCal free?
1 comment
Arianna S.
AS
What is iCal used for?
1 comment
Yvonne A.
YA
iCal is a calendar used for Apple/Mac Based products. Read more
Monty the Mongoose crying
iCal has no more discussions with answers