Curo vs Outlook
| Feature | Curo | Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| AI triage / prioritization | Personalized triage surfacing only what needs you | Focused vs Other, a coarse two-bucket sort |
| Unified inbox across multiple accounts | Every account, any provider, in one inbox | Multiple accounts, but each largely siloed |
| Replies drafted in your voice | Full drafts that match your tone | Copilot drafts (paid) in a generic voice |
| Connecting a third-party client | One-click 'Sign in with Microsoft' OAuth, no password needed | OAuth required for Outlook.com since September 2024; Microsoft 365 SMTP passwords off by default from December 2026 |
| Encryption and privacy | End-to-end encrypted mailbox access | Strong enterprise security; encryption via add-ons |
| Personalization / learning | Teaching loop that learns your priorities | Focused Inbox adapts modestly to your moves |
| Pricing | Free tier; paid plans for full AI inbox | Free webmail; Copilot and 365 are paid add-ons |
Why people switch to Curo
- Curo connects with a one-click Microsoft OAuth sign-in, which is the only method personal Outlook.com accounts have supported since September 2024, and where Microsoft 365 is heading.
- Triage is personalized to your priorities, not a fixed Focused-versus-Other split everyone shares.
- Curo drafts full replies in your voice, where Outlook's drafting depends on a paid Copilot add-on and a generic tone.
- Every account, across any provider, is unified into one triaged inbox instead of siloed side by side.
Outlook is a strong choice if you live inside Microsoft 365 and want tight calendar and enterprise integration. If you're connecting Outlook.com or Microsoft 365 to a third-party client, Curo's one-click OAuth sign-in is the fastest path now that app passwords no longer work, and its AI triage goes further than Focused Inbox.
Questions
Can I still use an app password to connect Outlook to a third-party client?
For a personal Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live or MSN account, no: Microsoft turned off Basic Auth, app passwords included, on September 16, 2024, so OAuth 2.0 sign-in is the only way in. Microsoft 365 work accounts lost it for IMAP and POP in October 2022; sending (SMTP AUTH) still accepts it until Microsoft switches it off by default at the end of December 2026. OAuth works for all of them, and it is exactly how Curo connects.
How does Curo connect to Outlook without a password?
Curo uses Microsoft's official OAuth sign-in flow: you click 'Sign in with Microsoft,' authenticate directly with Microsoft, and grant access. Curo never sees or stores a password.
How is Curo different from Outlook's Focused Inbox?
Focused Inbox splits mail into two fixed buckets, Focused and Other, with limited adaptation. Curo's triage is personalized to your priorities, learns over time, and surfaces only what truly needs you rather than just sorting into two piles.
Do I need a paid plan for AI replies like Outlook's Copilot?
Curo includes voice-matched drafting as a core capability, with a free tier to start. Outlook's AI drafting generally requires a paid Copilot add-on, and even then the tone is generic rather than learned from how you write.
Can Curo manage my Outlook account alongside others?
Yes. Curo unifies your Outlook account with Gmail and any other providers in one triaged inbox, so you're not toggling between siloed accounts to stay on top of everything.
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