Outlook vs. Hotmail — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 30, 2023
Outlook is Microsoft's current email platform, while Hotmail was its predecessor, which was rebranded to Outlook.com in 2013.
Difference Between Outlook and Hotmail
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Outlook and Hotmail are both email services that were developed by Microsoft. While they are commonly associated due to their Microsoft connection, they represent different eras of email history.
Hotmail was one of the first webmail services and was founded in 1996. Microsoft acquired it a year later, making it a major player in the early days of the internet. In contrast, Outlook is a more recent evolution, encompassing not only email but also calendar, task management, and contact management features.
In 2013, Microsoft made a strategic decision to rebrand Hotmail to Outlook.com, aiming to provide a more unified and modern email experience. This shift meant that Outlook became the face of Microsoft's online email services, replacing the older Hotmail brand.
The Outlook interface is considered more modern and integrated, with a design that aligns with other Microsoft products. Hotmail, in its time, was known for its simplicity but was criticized for being cluttered with ads and less secure.
While Hotmail addresses still exist and are functional, any new users or those signing up are directed to the Outlook platform. Thus, while Hotmail represents an iconic part of email history, Outlook represents the present and future of Microsoft's email endeavors.
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Comparison Chart
Era
Current email platform
Predecessor to Outlook
Launch
Rebranded in 2013
Founded in 1996
Interface
Modern, integrated with other MS services
Simpler, often criticized for ads
Features
Email, calendar, tasks, contacts
Primarily email
Brand Status
Active and ongoing
Phased out but old addresses still work
Compare with Definitions
Outlook
A platform for email, contacts, and calendar management.
Outlook's integrated calendar feature helps me stay organized.
Hotmail
Represented the early era of web-based email.
Hotmail was iconic during the early days of the internet.
Outlook
Part of the Microsoft Office suite.
In our office, we primarily use Outlook for communication and scheduling.
Hotmail
A pioneer webmail service acquired by Microsoft.
Hotmail was one of the first webmail services I used back in the day.
Outlook
A Microsoft email service and software.
I checked my emails using the Outlook app on my phone.
Hotmail
Predecessor to the current Outlook.com email service.
Before Outlook, I had a Hotmail account for years.
Outlook
The successor to Microsoft's Hotmail service.
After the rebranding, Hotmail users transitioned to Outlook.
Hotmail
Known for its "@hotmail.com" email addresses.
My first email address ended with @hotmail.com.
Outlook
A point of view; an attitude
A positive outlook.
Hotmail
A brand phased out by Microsoft in 2013.
Microsoft transitioned Hotmail users to Outlook in 2013.
Outlook
Expectation for the future
The long-term outlook for economic growth.
Outlook
A place where something can be viewed.
Outlook
The view seen from such a place.
Outlook
A place from which something can be viewed.
Perched on the edge of the cliff was a hidden outlook.
Outlook
The view from such a place.
Outlook
An attitude or point of view.
He has a positive outlook on life.
Outlook
Expectation for the future.
The outlook for temperature rises is worrying.
Outlook
Look; appearance
Outlook
To face or look in an outward direction.
Outlook
To look at (someone) so long or intently that they look away; to win or prevail over (someone or something).
Outlook
To be more attractive than (someone or something).
Outlook
To inspect throughly; to select.
Outlook
To look beyond (something).
Outlook
To face down; to outstare.
To outlook conquest, and to win renown.
Outlook
To inspect throughly; to select.
Outlook
The act of looking out; watch.
Outlook
One who looks out; also, the place from which one looks out; a watchower.
Outlook
The view obtained by one looking out; scope of vision; sight; appearance.
ApplauseWhich owes to man's short outlook all its charms.
Outlook
The likely outcome, such as is indicated by the present situation; prospects; prognosis; as, the outlook is grim.
Outlook
The point of view or attitude of a person; as, one's outlook on life is affected by illness.
Outlook
A habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations
Outlook
Belief about (or mental picture of) the future
Outlook
The act of looking out
Outlook
A personal information manager from Microsoft.
Outlook is essential for managing my daily tasks and meetings.
Common Curiosities
Did Hotmail become Outlook?
Yes, in 2013, Microsoft rebranded Hotmail to Outlook.com.
Is there a difference between Outlook software and Outlook.com?
Yes, Outlook software is part of the Microsoft Office suite, while Outlook.com is the webmail service.
Are "@hotmail.com" addresses still valid?
Yes, existing "@hotmail.com" addresses remain valid and accessible through Outlook.com.
Which is more modern, Outlook or Hotmail?
Outlook is more modern, representing the current phase of Microsoft's email services.
Can I still access my Hotmail account?
Yes, Hotmail accounts still work, but they are accessed through the Outlook.com interface.
What is Outlook?
Outlook is Microsoft's current email platform and personal information manager.
What was Hotmail?
Hotmail was an early webmail service acquired by Microsoft, which later transitioned to Outlook.com.
Can I create a new Hotmail email address?
No, new users are directed to create "@outlook.com" addresses.
Was Hotmail a Microsoft creation?
No, Hotmail was founded by Sabeer Bhatia and Jack Smith and was later acquired by Microsoft.
Is Outlook's interface different from Hotmail's?
Yes, Outlook offers a more modern interface compared to Hotmail's older design.
Why did Microsoft phase out Hotmail?
Microsoft aimed to provide a unified, modern email experience with Outlook, replacing the older Hotmail brand.
Do both Outlook and Hotmail support mobile access?
Yes, both had/have mobile access, but Outlook has a more streamlined app experience today.
What features does Outlook offer?
Outlook provides email, calendar, task, and contact management features.
Are Hotmail and Outlook the same in terms of security?
Outlook has more advanced security features compared to the older Hotmail service.
Was Hotmail's transition to Outlook smooth for users?
Mostly, users were transitioned seamlessly, but with any change, some users had questions or faced issues.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
