European alternatives · Outlook alternative
The European alternative to Outlook
Northmail is our free mail program with calendar and contacts, laid out like classic Outlook. It works with Binadit Workspace, Exchange, Gmail and any IMAP account, and its AI assistant runs on your own computer.
Why companies look for an alternative
Classic Outlook is being replaced
Microsoft is moving everyone to the new Outlook, which looks and works differently from the program people know.
Mail through Microsoft's cloud
The new Outlook for Windows syncs accounts from other providers through Microsoft's cloud, so your mail passes through Microsoft.
AI in someone else's data centre
Copilot sends what you ask to Microsoft's servers, and costs extra per user.
Northmail and Outlook
What you get when you swap Outlook for Northmail.
| Aspect | Northmail | Outlook (new) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Included with Microsoft 365 or Windows |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows and Linux, and iPhone and iPad | Windows, macOS, web, iOS and Android |
| Accounts | Binadit Workspace, Exchange, Gmail and IMAP, each connected directly | Microsoft accounts; other accounts synced through Microsoft's cloud |
| Layout | Classic Outlook: folders, reading pane, calendar and contacts next to each other | The new Outlook layout |
| AI assistant | Runs on your own computer; nothing leaves it | Copilot, in Microsoft's cloud, paid per user |
| Drive | Save to Drive and From Drive with Binadit Drive | OneDrive attachments |
| Shared mailboxes | Shared mailboxes and calendars, and sending on behalf of a colleague | Shared mailboxes and delegates through Exchange |
| Signatures | With Binadit Workspace the mail server adds the company signature to every message, including from Northmail | Set per user in Outlook; centrally only through Exchange or a paid service |
How the switch works
-
Download Northmail
Signed installers for macOS, Windows and Linux on binadit.work, with automatic updates.
-
Add your accounts
Northmail finds the settings itself for Binadit, Exchange, Gmail and most providers.
-
Bring your mail
Mail, folders, calendars and contacts come from the server; nothing has to be exported.
When Outlook fits better
If your company relies on Outlook add-ins, shared Exchange features such as delegated calendars across many people, or Microsoft Teams integration, Outlook stays the easier choice.
Try Northmail, it is free
Install it next to Outlook and see whether it suits you.