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Microsoft 365 - Choosing a Client

A "client" is an application that you use to access and manage your email and calendar. Examples include Outlook on the web -- the interface you can use to access Office 365 using a web browser -- or desktop clients like Outlook. To better prepare for and interact with Office 365, select a client that meets your needs.
Important: For the best experience with Office 365, Microsoft recommends connecting via Exchange protocol via Outlook M365/O365/ProPlus/2021/2019/2016, Outlook App for iOS/Android, or connecting to Outlook on the web via recommended/supported web browser. In addition to Exchange/Active Sync protocols, Office 365 also supports IMAP/POP3 protocols but with limited functionality. Please refer to the Supported clients/protocols document for further information.

Question: Will you primarily be using Office 365 for email only, calendar only, or both email and calendar?

Based on your answer to the above question, we have the following recommendations regarding which client to choose:

Mail Only
Calendar Only
Mail and Calendar
  • Supported clients that connect via supported protocols.
  • Review Supported Clients/Protocols
  • Why: Clients connecting via non-exchange protocols will have limited functionality and features that are unique to each client.
  • Latest version of Outlook ProPlus desktop client or Outlook on the web are best suited for calendar interactions.
  • Why: Calendar interactions only work on clients configured for Exchange/Active Sync. Non-Outlook clients experience limited calendaring functionality and features.
  • Latest version of Outlook ProPlus desktop client or Outlook on the web are best suited for calendar/mail interactions.
  • Why: Outlook or Outlook on the web best handle all calendar/mail interactions.

Important considerations for choosing a client:

See Also


Keywords:
microsoft office o365 m365 microsoft 365 clients outlook on the web proplus 2016 2019 windows mac android ios app iphone samsung ipad mobile device on the web application email calendaring exchange active sync pop imap owa choose desktop selecting picking which decide deciding download supported downloading 
Doc ID:
30350
Owned by:
O365 S. in Microsoft 365
Created:
2013-05-24
Updated:
2023-02-02
Sites:
DoIT Help Desk, DoIT Help Desk Handbook, Microsoft 365