Best Copilot Alternatives in 2025
If Copilot isn’t the right fit for your budget, workflow, or privacy rules, there are solid, well-known options that pair nicely with Microsoft Outlook/Microsoft 365. Below is a simple, practical rundown you can use to pick the right one—plus where Actor fits.
Those alternatives are focused on Outlook, Calendar and Microsoft Todo. The basic daily tools that any digital worker uses.
What to look for (quick checklist)
- Works with Outlook / Microsoft 365 (Exchange Online or Outlook.com)
- Strong AI for email (drafting, summaries, triage) and ideally calendar help
- Admin controls & compliance if you’re in a team
- Low setup friction (add-ins or direct Microsoft sign-in)
- Clear privacy posture
The short list (all support Outlook)
1) ActorDo — AI Assistant for Outlook & Gmail
What it is: An AI layer that organizes your email, drafts replies, applies smart labels, and sends a daily agenda, without forcing a new mail app. It runs on top of Outlook (and Gmail), so you keep the tools you already use.
Why pick it: You want automatic labeling, follow-ups, auto-drafts, and a daily agenda across Outlook and Calendar, with customization for rules and task syncing (Microsoft To Do).
Best for: Busy professionals and small teams who want Copilot-like inbox and calendar help without switching clients.
2) Superhuman — Fast email client with AI, now for Outlook
What it is: A premium email client built for speed, with AI writing/summarizing and an Outlook-compatible interface.
Why pick it: Keyboard-driven triage, split inbox, and AI replies/summaries tailored for heavy emailers; positioned as an Outlook alternative with its own take on AI.
Best for: Power users who live in their inbox and want the fastest client experience.
3) Grammarly — AI writing that plugs into Outlook
What it is: A veteran AI writing assistant that integrates with Outlook and Microsoft Office to rewrite, tone-tune, and proof emails.
Why pick it: Clean, dependable writing help right inside Outlook -great if you mostly need better wording and fewer errors.
Best for: Anyone who wants stronger writing (clarity, tone, brevity) inside Outlook.
4) Front — Shared inbox + AI for teams (Microsoft 365 ready)
What it is: A shared-inbox platform (email + channels like WhatsApp/SMS) with automation and AI that integrates with Microsoft 365 directories.
Why pick it: Team collaboration on email, SLAs, assignments, and AI-powered workflows—especially for support or ops teams that still need Outlook compatibility.
Best for: Customer-facing teams replacing distribution lists/shared mailboxes.
6) Fyxer – Executive Assistant.
Fyxer AI is an intelligent assistant built to live inside your Gmail or Outlook inbox—no client swaps. It categorizes email, drafts responses in your writing style, joins virtual meetings to capture notes, and suggests follow-ups.
Why Choose It: Suits professionals overwhelmed by email but hesitant to switch away from Outlook. Combines inbox triage, auto-drafting, and meeting note workflows in one tool
Best for: Good fit for both solo users and managed teams needing consistency
5) Spark (+AI) — Familiar client with AI writing, Outlook support
What it is: A cross-platform email app with Spark +AI for drafting and tidying messages; supports Microsoft accounts.
Why pick it: A friendly client experience with AI drafting/summaries and features like Send Later/Reminders—without steep learning curves.
Best for: Individuals/small teams wanting a modern client + Outlook support.
6) Spike — Conversational email + AI, works with Outlook
What it is: A chat-like email experience that integrates with Outlook/Microsoft 365, with built-in AI writing and collaboration tools.
Why pick it: If your team prefers chat-style email threads, channels, and notes in one place, plus AI drafting.
Best for: Teams that want to reduce email friction by turning threads into “conversations.”
| Tool | Works with Outlook | What it’s best at |
|---|---|---|
| Actor | Yes (Outlook & Gmail) | Labels, auto-drafts, follow-ups, daily agenda, rules, task sync. (Actor AI Assistant) |
| Superhuman | Yes | Blazing-fast client, AI summaries/drafts, split inbox for power users. |
| Grammarly | Yes (Outlook & Office) | AI rewrite/proof/clarity inside Outlook. |
| Front | Yes (Microsoft 365) | Shared inbox + AI automation for teams. |
| Spark (+AI) | Yes | Modern client + AI writing and reminders. |
| Fyxer | Yes | AI Executive Assisstant doing email management and meeting notes |
| Canary Mail | Yes | Privacy + encryption with AI assist. |
| Spike | Yes | Chat-style email with AI and collaboration. |
Where Copilot still shines (context)
Copilot keeps deep, native ties across Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams). If you rely on AI inside multiple Office apps and don’t mind Microsoft’s pricing/credit model, staying with Copilot can be compelling -especially as Microsoft expands features
Bottom line
- If you want a focused AI layer for Outlook email and calendar without changing your stack, Actor is purpose-built for that job. Actor AI Assistant
- If you want a different client with speed or style, go Superhuman or Spark.
- If you need team workflows, pick Front.
- If your priority is writing quality in Outlook, pick Grammarly.
- If you want privacy with AI, try Canary Mail or ActorDO