Uncovering the Best Outlook on the Desktop Alternatives for Enhanced Productivity
Have you ever wondered why it's such a pain in the butt to use calendaring programs on your computer? It's simple: they don't mimic their real life counterparts very well. People who use calendars to organize their daily lives have them visible in plain sight nearly all of the time. Yet, on the computer, you have to go through a myriad of windows and clicks before you can even see your calendar. To bridge this gap, "Outlook on the Desktop" was created, pinning your Microsoft Outlook calendar directly to your desktop. However, for users seeking different functionalities, aesthetics, or perhaps a more integrated experience, exploring an Outlook on the Desktop alternative is essential.
Top Outlook on the Desktop Alternatives
If you're looking to enhance your desktop calendar experience beyond what Outlook on the Desktop offers, or simply want to explore other options that integrate seamlessly with your workflow, these alternatives provide a range of features from robust email management to lightweight, always-visible calendars.
Microsoft Office Outlook
Part of the Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Office Outlook is a comprehensive personal information manager that extends beyond just calendaring, letting you manage your e-mail, contacts, and tasks. It's available on Freemium tiers, Mac, Windows, Web, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, Windows Phone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Android Wear. Key features include Address book integration, Built-in Calendar, Exchange Integration, Office 365 integration, Unified inbox, and Shared calendars, making it a powerful Outlook on the Desktop alternative for those needing full-suite functionality.
Rainlendar
Rainlendar is a feature-rich calendar application that is easy to use and doesn't take much space on your desktop, much like Outlook on the Desktop's primary aim. This Freemium application is platform independent, supporting Mac, Windows, and Linux. It stands out with features like Customizability, synchronization with Fantastical and Google Calendar, and support for multiple languages, offering a sleek and customizable calendar alternative.
Hiri
Hiri is a fast, good-looking email client designed to be lighter than MS Outlook with some unique and clever features. While it works ONLY with Outlook / Exchange, it's available commercially on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Its strength as an Outlook on the Desktop alternative lies in its Office 365 integration, Calendar integration, and the ability to convert emails to tasks, streamlining your workflow if you're deeply entrenched in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Desktop Calendar
Desktop Calendar offers a simple yet effective solution to keep a nice, transparent calendar on your desktop, similar to Outlook on the Desktop's core functionality. This free Windows application allows users to double-click on a day to enter a description, providing a straightforward and always-visible calendar experience without extra bells and whistles.
DeskTask
DeskTask connects directly to Microsoft Outlook and displays your calendar and task items on the desktop. Available for free on Windows, it serves as a direct competitor and excellent Outlook on the Desktop alternative, ensuring your tasks are always visible, saving precious time by eliminating the need to open Outlook separately to check your schedule.
Desktop iCalendar
Desktop iCalendar is a handy desktop calendar for Windows that stays on your desktop and shows the days of the current month. As a commercial Outlook on the Desktop alternative, it offers calendar sync capabilities, specifically with Google Calendar, allowing for a broader integration for users who rely on cloud-based calendars.
RemindMe desktop calendar
RemindMe is a free, open-source Windows desktop application that focuses on notifications. It will notify you of events that you created within the application itself, generating a popup on the middle of the screen. For those seeking a simpler, open-source Outlook on the Desktop alternative primarily for event reminders, RemindMe offers a straightforward solution.
Finding the right Outlook on the Desktop alternative depends on your specific needs, whether you prioritize comprehensive email and task management, a highly customizable desktop calendar, or a simple reminder system. Explore these options to discover the best fit that enhances your productivity and keeps your schedule in plain sight.