Outlook Express is targeted more towards home and small-business users who primarily access their e-mail and newsgroup feeds via dial-up Internet connections. As a result, Outlook Express lives up to its name, especially when compared to its bigger, bulkier brother -- Express is optimized for Internet mail and news functions and as a result enjoys an edge in performance in every e-mail area shared by the two clients.
While many users still prefer Netscape Messenger's interface to Outlook Express', the Internet Explorer companion's more extensive feature-set in every area vault it ahead of Messenger. If you need a streamlined, feature-rich, and easy to use mail client, Outlook Express is the consummate choice.
Pros: Extremely ease to use, impressive feature-set, advanced security, freeware
Cons: Lacks Outlook's PIM, calendar, and journal functions and "Outlook Today" feature
