Compare the standard and light versions of Outlook Web App

Outlook Web App has two versions, a standard version and a light version. Both versions have many features. To make it easier to compare, we grouped feature lists for email, contacts, calendar and more in different sections that you can link to from the table of contents. You'll also find a section that lists features that are only in the standard version of Outlook Web App, not the light version.

We encourage you to use the information in this article to find out which version is right for you.

General functions

This section provides links to general functions in Outlook Web App.

Feature	Link for information about standard version	Link for information about light version
Use almost any browser	Supported browsers	Supported browsers
Use a Favorites folder	Getting started in Outlook Web App	Outlook Web App Light
Change user account password	Change password in Outlook Web App	Options > Change Password
Manage mobile devices	Mobile devices	Options > Mobile Devices
Use while offline	Using Outlook Web App offline	Not available
Access multiple Exchange email accounts	Open and use a shared mailbox in Outlook Web App	Not available

Email

The following table provides links to more information about email features in the standard and the light versions of Outlook Web App.

Feature	Link for information about standard version	Link for information about light version
Read and send email messages	Create and respond to messages in Outlook Web App	Outlook Web App Light > Mail
Send automatic replies (out of office)	Automatic replies (formerly Out of office assistant)	Options > Automatic Replies
Set region or language	Regional settings	Options > Regional Settings
Set time zone	Yes	Yes
Create an email signature	Mail settings	Options > Messaging
Recover deleted items	Recover deleted items or email in Outlook Web App	Not available
Admins can enable/disable email features	Yes	Yes
Set message format	Mail settings	Messages are all in plain text.
Play sound when message arrives	Mail settings	Not available
Check spelling	How do I check spelling	Uses web browser's spell check.
Show reading pane	Display settings for mail	Not available
Get delivery receipts	Delivery reports	Not available
Control response to read receipt	Create and respond to messages in Outlook Web App	Not available

Contacts and address book

The following table provides links to more information about contacts and address books in the standard and the light versions of Outlook Web App.

Feature	Link for information about standard version	Link for information about light version
Create and manage contacts	People overview	Outlook Web App Light > Contacts
Work with organization address book	People overview	Outlook Web App Light > Address Book
Use groups	People overview	Not available
Sync contacts with Facebook	Manage Facebook contact sync in your organization	Not available

Calendar, meetings, and appointments

The following table provides links to more information about calendar features in the standard and the light versions of Outlook Web App.

Feature	Link for information about standard version	Link for information about light version
Schedule meetings and appointments	Calendar overview	Outlook Web App Light > Calendar
Mark appointment as private	Calendar overview	Outlook Web App Light > Calendar
Find a meeting room	Calendar overview	Not available
Set reminders	Calendar overview	Outlook Web App Light > Calendar
See other people's schedules	Using the Scheduling Assistant in Outlook Web App	Not available
Use day, week, or month views	Calendar overview	Not available
Print calendar	Printing a calendar	Not available
Use multiple calendars	Working with multiple calendars	Not available
Share a calendar	Sharing your calendar in Outlook Web App	Not available

Security

The following table provides links to more information about security features in the standard and the light versions of Outlook Web App.

Feature	Link for information about standard version	Link for information about light version
List safe or blocked senders	Block or allow (junk email settings)	Options > Junk Email
Use anti-phishing and anti-spam technologies	Security and Privacy in Outlook Web App	Outlook Web App Light > Email safety
List trusted and untrusted addresses for junk mail handling	Block or allow (junk email settings)	Options > Junk Email

Features only in the standard version of Outlook Web app

This section lists additional features that are available only in the standard version of Outlook Web App, not in the light version. In each section, you'll find one or more links to additional information.

Mailbox management

These advanced mailbox features are not available in the light version of Outlook Web App. The standard version offers these more advanced management features:

• Access to POP3 and IMAP email accounts. To learn more, see Settings for POP and IMAP access for Office 365 for business or Microsoft Exchange accounts.

• View mailbox quota in Office 365.

• Create Inbox rules. To learn more, see Inbox rules in Outlook Web App.

• Change optional retention policies. To learn more, see Retention and archive policies in Outlook Web App.

Tasks

Tasks and notes are not available in the light version of Outlook Web App. Here are some of the things that you can do with tasks in the standard version:

• Edit, view, filter, search, and categorize tasks.

• Mark a task as complete.

• Mark a task as private.

• Flag email as a task.

To learn more about tasks in Outlook Web App, see Tasks overview.

Instant messaging

Instant messaging (IM) is not available in the light version of Outlook Web App. Here are some of the IM features in the standard version:

• Integrated chat. To learn more, see IM in Outlook Web App.

• Reply with text message. To learn more, see Text messaging.

Voice mail

Voice mail is not available in the light version of Outlook Web App. Here are some of the voice mail features in the standard version:

• Listen to voice mail using inline player.

• Change voice mail options.

To learn more about these functions in Outlook Web App, see Voice mail.