What are some of the differences between web based mail and Microsoft Outlook?

Question

Which one is superior?
Why?


Thank you

Answer 1

Web based mail (webmail) is no particular system, but depense on the mail service of your host. Several good systems are around, and many of them is almost similar to MS Outlook, not least to mention Microsofts own webmail solution, called Outlook Web Access (OWA).



However you should distinguish between mail system like this instead, because Outlook can be configured in many other ways than what I reckon you must mean distinguishes outlook.



There is the kind of systems that stores your messages, making them available on-line and everywhere. Such standards are named stuff like IMAP, MS EXCHANGE.



Others are computer stored systems that will download the message from the server for viewing, making them only available on one computer once downloaded. This standard is usually SMTP...



Thing is that MS Outlook can be used as both IMAP, EXCAHNGE and SMTP! So if you like outlook interface, then it depends on the services from your host... Often you can access your account as both IMAP and SMTP.



So there are different storage methods, and there are different interfaces. Web based mail is a storage method, and Outlook is an interface.



I personally like MS Exchange that centralisez all outlook tasks. So you can share all info in outlook, and also between users. However this can be a pretty costly affair. Then go for IMAP instead with a webmail interface. You can then use Outlook, and webmail to access the same account.



Dont use SMTP unless you have a good reason for it. It is outdated, and it is really annoying that your mail wont be online once you have connected...

Answer 2

If you are referring to the full-fledged Outlook that is a part of Microsoft Office, Outlook is superior (minus the bit of a learnign curve and occasional crashing). Outlook has contact management, calendar, notes and many other features in addition to email. It is also more private, since it is on your own PC, and there's no storage limit, except the amount of free space on your hard drive.



Now, if you are referring to the Outlook Express that comes with Windows, web-based email is superior. Some reasons include some of the features found in the full Outlook (example: Yahoo Mail has notes, calendars, etc). Outlook Express is very basic, and only does emails and newsgroups. It is also prone to crashing, and Microsoft has stopped making it and updates for it.

Answer 3

Web based email or webmail allows you to check your email from any internet connected computer. Microsoft Outlook downloads your messages from the mail server and stores them on your local machine. Personally, I prefer webmail because I enjoy the freedom to check my mail from anywhere, I am not relying on Microsoft Software, and I can see all of my messages anytime.



There can also be issues with Outlook if you install new anti-virus software, firewalls or change your ISP. All of these things can cause Outlook to stop working, and you have to go through all of your settings.



Some ISPs will block the default ports on Outlook, so you have to know how to go in and advanced edit these settings.

Answer 4

You may not be comparing apples to apples here.



Web-based mail is an email service provided by internet companies while MS Outlook is just an email client on your computer that can use POP/SMTP to connect to an email server. Similar email clients are the Lotus Notes Mail, Mozilla Thunderbird, Eudora, etc.



Actually, you can use MS Outlook to view emails on your favorite web-based mail. It's just a matter of configuring your POP/SMTP to talk to the email server of your web mail.

Answer 5

Web based gives you mobility+security when Outlook gives you stability (depends on version).

Answer 6

microsoft outlook is on your computer. web based is better because you can access it from other computers.