Review · Productivity
Microsoft Outlook Calendar review
Microsoft's free email and calendar app for web, desktop and mobile, with paid Microsoft 365 plans for more storage and no ads.
By the KeenVerdict research desk · Updated November 10, 2026
- Features (40%)
- 8.8
- Ease of use (30%)
- 8.4
- Value (30%)
- 9.2
Outlook is the right free calendar for anyone whose email already lives with Microsoft. The free account gives you Outlook email and calendar on the web, desktop and mobile apps, 15 GB of mailbox storage and 5 GB of cloud storage, plus the web and mobile versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The mobile app can share your meeting availability with a tap and connects Exchange, Outlook.com, Gmail, Yahoo and iCloud accounts, so it also works as a single place for several calendars. The paid tier is cheap: Microsoft 365 Basic costs $19.99 per year and makes Outlook ad-free. Copilot features such as email summaries need Microsoft 365 Personal, Family or an eligible business plan. The trade-off is that Outlook is an email app with a calendar inside, so people who only want a calendar may find Google Calendar or Apple Calendar lighter. For Microsoft account holders, it is the most complete free option.
Who it is for
People who use Outlook.com, Hotmail or Exchange email and want calendar and inbox together.
Price
Free Outlook account; Microsoft 365 Basic $19.99 per year, about $1.67 per month.
Microsoft 365 Basic $19.99 /year
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.
Key features
- Email and calendar on web, desktop and mobile apps in the free account
- Share meeting availability with a tap in the mobile app
- Works with Exchange, Outlook.com, Gmail, Yahoo and iCloud accounts
- Multiple accounts and calendars in one place
- Copilot features with a Microsoft 365 Personal, Family or eligible business plan
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strength: Free account includes 15 GB of mailbox storage and 5 GB of cloud storage
- Strength: Calendar and inbox in one app on every platform
- Strength: Microsoft 365 Basic at $19.99 per year adds ad-free Outlook
- Weakness: The free Outlook account shows ads, which Microsoft 365 Basic removes
- Weakness: Copilot features need a paid Microsoft 365 plan
- Weakness: Calendar sits inside an email app, which is more than some people need
Key facts
- Free plan: Yes, Outlook free account
- Mailbox storage, free: 15 GB
- Cheapest upgrade: Microsoft 365 Basic, $19.99 per year
- Accounts supported: Exchange, Outlook.com, Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud
Where it ranks
Microsoft Outlook Calendar is No. 3 in our Best Free Calendar Apps verdict.
Alternatives we scored
Visit microsoft.com · Questions or corrections: editorial@keenverdict.com