Difference Between Ms Outlook and Lotus Notes (With Table)

Presently, the most common method of data transmission is through e-communication apps, as this is the most powerful platform for sharing information and interacting with people all over the world.  Similarly, numerous email programs provide an e-communication infrastructure. With Lotus Notes and Outlook being the most popular email client technologies, there is a lot of dispute about which is preferable. Many people may mix them up because of their similar functions. However, there are some points of difference between them.

Ms Outlook vs Lotus Notes

The main difference between Ms Outlook and Lotus Notes is that MS Outlook provides the personal storage table (PST) File type, commonly known as Outlook data files, for the same purpose.   PST files have a potential storage space of 20 GB to 50 GB, depending on the version, but IBM Lotus Notes utilizes the NSF File type to keep mails, attachments, and other objects. Ms Outlook is cheaper than Lotus Notes.

Outlook is essentially an email client, but it also has calendaring, task management, contact management, note-taking, diary-keeping, and internet browsing capabilities. You can use Outlook to send and receive emails, manage your calendar, record the contact information of your acquaintances, and keep track of your tasks. Outlook can be used by people as a stand-alone program. It can be used as a multi-user application for collaborative tasks in organizations.

IBM’s Lotus Notes is a corporate email program. The program has been renamed IBM Notes and is now available for purchase. IBM Notes, originally Lotus Notes, is one component of IBM’s integrated client-server technology platform. Lotus Domino is the server-side of the technology platform, whereas Lotus Notes is the client-side. Lotus Domino, on the other hand, has been relaunched as IBM Domino.

Comparison Table Between Ms Outlook and Lotus Notes

Parameters of Comparison

Ms Outlook

Lotus Notes

Information Storage

It uses the NSF File type to hold mails, attachments, and other objects.

It uses the personal storage table (PST) File format, commonly known as Outlook data files, for the same purpose.

Cost

It is more expensive and is bought separately which is a con.

It is cheaper and does not need to be bought separately as it is included under MS Office applications.

Maintenance

It has a higher maintenance cost.

It is a much easier and low cost of maintenance.

Multi-accounts

It allows a user to have only one account at a time.

It allows a user to have multiple accounts at a time.

Multitasking ability

It allows multitasking not permitted, being a highly secure application.

It allows multitasking.

What is Ms Outlook?

Outlook is essentially an email client, but it also has calendaring, task management, contact management, note-taking, diary-keeping, and internet browsing capabilities.

Consumers can use Outlook as a stand-alone program, while businesses can use it as a multi-user program (through Microsoft Exchange Server or SharePoint) to manage mailboxes, calendars, folders, data aggregation (via SharePoint lists), and calendar management. Ms has mobile apps. This includes both iOS and Android and other mobile platforms.

You can use Outlook to send and receive emails, manage your calendar, record the contact information of your acquaintances, and keep track of your tasks. Even if you use Outlook daily, you may be unaware of some of the useful features it offers to help you be more efficient.

Microsoft Outlook is a useful email program that lets you handle your emails easily and conveniently. Its benefits include frequent upgrades, connectivity with Skype and OneDrive, and the ability to utilize Microsoft Office applications online because they are owned by Microsoft. 

In terms of protection, Gmail and Outlook.com’s free editions use TLS to protect emails in transmission. However, this protection will only work if the person you’re emailing also uses a TLS-enabled email provider. TLS is used by most major email systems. Therefore this isn’t a significant danger.

What is Lotus Notes?

IBM’s Lotus Notes is a corporate email program. The program has been renamed IBM Notes and is now available for purchase. IBM Notes, originally Lotus Notes, is one component of IBM’s integrated client-server technology platform. Lotus Domino is the server-side of the technology platform, whereas Lotus Notes is the client-side. Lotus Domino, on the other hand, has been relaunched as IBM Domino.

In your regular job, you can use Lotus Notes to transmit and receive email messages, schedule arrangements, surf the Web, and use prominent business apps.

IBM‘s Lotus Notes is a corporate email program. The program has been renamed IBM Notes and is now available for purchase. IBM Notes, originally Lotus Notes, is one component of IBM’s integrated custom software product.

Lotus Notes is one of the most secure and convenient mail clients, whereas Outlook is known for its simplicity. Outlook offers a wealth of functions in a well-organized format that entices consumers to utilize it. No application can compare to IBM Notes in terms of corporate protection and stability.

Lotus offers a Java framework known as Notes.jar that offers interactions to original Domino Server calls (possibly through the network). It can be accessed in the Domino Server or Lotus Notes client’s installation file.

Main Differences Between Ms Outlook and Lotus Notes

  1. Ms Outlook uses the NSF File type to hold mails, attachments, and other objects. On the other hand, Lotus Notes uses the personal storage table (PST) File format, commonly known as Outlook data files, for the same purpose.
  2. Ms Outlook is more expensive and is bought separately, which is a con, while Lotus Notes is cheaper and does not need to be bought separately as it is included under MS Office applications. 
  3. Ms Outlook has a higher maintenance cost, whereas Lotus Notes is a much easier and low cost of maintenance.
  4. Ms Outlook allows a user to have only one account at a time, unlike Lotus Notes that allows a user to have multiple accounts at a time.
  5. Ms Outlook allows multitasking not permitted, being a highly secure application but, Lotus Notes allows multitasking.

Conclusion

From the previous debate on Lotus Notes vs Outlook, it is clear that Lotus Notes is superior to Outlook. It is now up to the user to pick between Lotus Notes and MS Outlook is an email application based on their needs, usage, software platforms, data security, and so on. 

However, for a more distinct email experience, one must choose Lotus Notes, which is unquestionably the most stable, secure, and versatile email platform available. This application has improved and enhanced capabilities such as Instant Messaging, Search, Data Storage in a Well-Ordered Way, and Social Information Reveal. There is no doubt that Lotus Notes outperforms Microsoft Outlook in terms of corporate productivity and security.

References

  1. https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/informit.424702295502173
  2. http://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4619&context=facpubs