IceWarp vs Microsoft Exchange Online comparison

IceWarp and Microsoft are both solutions in the Email Applications category. IceWarp is ranked #8 with an average rating of 8.3, while Microsoft is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.8. IceWarp holds a 5.1% mindshare in EA, compared to Microsoft’s 11.1% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of IceWarp users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.

IceWarp

Read 17 IceWarp reviews

2,100 Views
1,680 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

Microsoft Exchange Online

Read 92 Microsoft Exchange Online reviews

3,912 Views
3,756 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

IceWarp

Microsoft Exchange Online

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on May 21, 2025

Microsoft Exchange Online and IceWarp offer contrasting solutions in the realm of business communication platforms. Based on the reviews, Exchange Online appears to have the upper hand due to its robust integration capabilities and user-friendly design, although IceWarp's competitive pricing and standalone versatility remain attractive.

Features: Microsoft Exchange Online is known for its intuitive user interface, strong collaboration features like email and calendar sharing, and seamless integration with the Microsoft ecosystem, which enhances stability and reliability. IceWarp, however, offers versatile cross-platform solutions with valuable features such as TeamChat for efficient communication and collaboration but lacks in advanced document management. It provides essential tools that support cost-effective communication strategies for businesses.

Room for Improvement: Users of Exchange Online report difficulties with migration and integration with non-Microsoft products and mention concerns over security vulnerabilities, complex configuration, and high pricing. There is also a desire for enhanced anti-spam and anti-malware tools. IceWarp users note issues with user rights management, cumbersome master databases, and express the need for improvements in security and documentation as well as more responsive support services.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Exchange Online's strong cloud presence offers consistent performance across public and hybrid environments, however, support responses can be slow. IceWarp offers flexibility with on-premises and private cloud options, which is appealing for those seeking cost-effective solutions. While customer service is generally appreciated, users note that faster support and better integration options are desired.

Pricing and ROI: Pricing for Exchange Online can be challenging for some users due to complex licensing and bundling multiple services, though it provides significant ROI through improved business efficiencies. IceWarp's pricing is more attractive as it is often lower than competitors like Google and Microsoft. This cost advantage makes it appealing for businesses looking to cut costs while maintaining essential communication features, offering significant ROI through its affordability.

To learn more, read our detailed IceWarp vs. Microsoft Exchange Online Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IceWarp vs. Microsoft Exchange Online

December 2025

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Helped 880,481 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

IceWarp

Ranking in Email Applications

8th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Microsoft Exchange Online

Ranking in Email Applications

2nd

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Email Applications category, the mindshare of IceWarp is 5.1%, down from 5.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Exchange Online is 11.1%, down from 15.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Email Applications Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Microsoft Exchange Online	11.1%
IceWarp	5.1%
Other	83.8%

Email Applications

Featured Reviews

AvinashLotke

Delivery Head at Team Computers

Useful for collaboration and storage but improvement is needed in API integration

The solution has traditional SSL integration, SAML, and Federation Services. In its latest version, it added SAML integration. However, it needs to work on API integration, especially for dashboards or integration with SAP for log and data system management. It doesn't yet have the kind of API that Google and Microsoft provide for synchronizing users with Active Directory. I think IceWarp needs to improve in a few areas. They have two types of admin consoles - a web-based one and a remote one. I'd like to see these combined into a single web-based admin console. The log reading and information system also needs improvement. The current way of showing incoming and outgoing logs isn't very clear. For new users, it's hard to understand these logs, especially compared to Office 365 and other systems with easier-to-read logs. They should also add an export option to get all logs with a single click whenever we need them.

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Asad Mohammad

Assistant General Manager, IT Infrastructure at SAMI Pharmaceuticals (Pvt.) Limited.

Offers flexibility and cost-effectiveness with multiple service options but could improve support and mobile features

There are many things to consider about email management in Microsoft Exchange Online. The online management is good, the storage is sufficient, and we use most of the features such as the custom rules in Microsoft Exchange Online, which we cannot find in any other email solution. That is a very good option, as we have many options to create custom rules in Microsoft Exchange Online. Regarding security features in Microsoft Exchange Online, we also use Defender for Exchange which includes the basic Exchange Online protection that has spam and threat controls. The use of Defender is beneficial for our security. The flexibility of choosing plans in Microsoft Exchange Online is good. We have chosen the best plan for our use, including multiple licenses such as plan one and business basics, which leads us towards cost-effectiveness, and the pay-as-you-go option is more flexible. Microsoft Exchange Online is very scalable.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The most valuable feature of IceWarp is the chat rooms and file-sharing, they are useful. It is convenient that everything is in one place. You can easily share and collaborate documents, making the program's unity a significant advantage."

"The product is used very extensively in my company since we have around 1,500 users using it. Also, there is no requirement for any administrators to manage the product by the people who own the solution."

"The solution is easy to manage and includes features such as smart documents and the archiving of user data."

"The TeamChat feature has been really good for our email management. It lets us collaborate, share files, and invite guests like Google Spaces or Microsoft Teams. I like the two-factor authentication for security. However, they need to improve their document collaboration tools, as their Word, Excel, and PowerPoint features are basic compared to Microsoft and Google."

"IceWarp has multiple applications that are easy to use for many people."

"The groupware module is the most valuable feature."

"The solution has a very good log-in to the UI when compared to other solutions."

"The solution's voice services work well for our company."

More IceWarp pros

"The most valuable feature of Microsoft Exchange Online is its performance."

"Exchange Online is a straightforward cloud-based application. It's easy to connect and the interface is user friendly."

"It allows us to work from home, at any time or anywhere."

"It helps us manage the email focus from our side."

"The solution is easy to access, and you can bring your own device to access from anywhere."

"The platform's security and compliance features are good."

"It is for emails, and it seems to work okay."

"Stability has increased exponentially since 2010."

More Microsoft Exchange Online pros

Cons

"With multiple databases for VOIP, chat and web IMAP, maintenance is cumbersome."

"Our customers sometimes have problems receiving mail."

"The solution needs improvements in security, particularly regarding document management."

"Support should be improved. Most of the time, the queries are not resolved within the SLA."

"Although it is not a tool, video conferencing should be scalable and operate in a professional and efficient way."

"I would like to have a trial for mobile applications and more documentation similar to Google Drive with mobile applications."

"The solution has traditional SSL integration, SAML, and Federation Services. In its latest version, it added SAML integration. However, it needs to work on API integration, especially for dashboards or integration with SAP for log and data system management. It doesn't yet have the kind of API that Google and Microsoft provide for synchronizing users with Active Directory."

"The exchange compatibility mode is rather limited. Their technical support can also be better. They only provide online support, and there should be some option for escalating."

More IceWarp cons

"In terms of machine controls, it was very confusing, and some of the administrative parts will be done from the control, but in online writing mostly we can handle everything."

"When initially setting up, it took a bit of time because we had a lot of PST files with the users, and we had to migrate them batch by batch."

"The problem with Exchange is that the attributes aren't flexible enough. I'd like to see more interaction with Office 365 and tighter integration between on-prem Exchange and Exchange Online. There's still a disconnect between mailboxes and the cloud."

"The pricing could be cheaper."

"There is room for improvement in Microsoft Exchange Online."

"I think there should be an incorporation of DLP on the business premium version of Exchange, as well."

"The solution should have a stand-alone application instead of us having to go through an internet browser."

"For example, recently there were some spam incidents that Microsoft does not currently mitigate because they have another paid solution to do so. It would be nice to integrate the security and the anti-spam (i.e. the fake links, etc.) along with the Exchange Online default."

More Microsoft Exchange Online cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"There are various licensing plans available based on geographic zone."

"The solution is priced well."

"Pricing and licensing is very competitive and in some cases, cheap."

"The license is based on the number of users."

"Costs far less than other solutions."

"I would rate the pricing and eight out of ten."

"The solution is inexpensive which is its main benefit."

"I don't see any challenges for the Indian market. For example, 1 GB is available for around 399 INR, and 2 GB for 499 INR. They offer a range of plans, from basic to professional and enterprise, with multiple features. IceWarp's aggressive pricing is competitive compared to other market solutions like Zoho and Microsoft. One significant advantage is that IceWarp does not impose user capping like Google and Microsoft, which allows for substantial cost savings and flexibility in user conversion."

More IceWarp pricing and cost advice

"In my opinion, the online license is the best one we have. It is a bundle that we have from Microsoft. It is a bit high in price."

"There is a license for Microsoft Exchange Online and I have information on that, but there have been so many changes to the licensing and it's a completely different story nowadays. Microsoft has been pushing users to buy a package of products under one license. Users are becoming more dependent on Microsoft rather than independent, that you can't decide anymore, and from my point of view, that is bad."

"The pricing is really high. It's higher compared to other services."

"The pricing for this solution is good. We renew our contract every three years. I would rate the pricing for this solution a three out of five."

"The cost is around $12 to $16 per user."

"The price of Microsoft Exchange Online security could improve. The overall price of the solution is reasonable."

"I think that the price is a little high, especially considering that Google have a similar, free email solution."

"The costs of this platform vary based on subscriptions, but it is generally reasonable."

More Microsoft Exchange Online pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

18%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Retailer

Computer Software Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	12
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	5

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	40
Midsize Enterprise	16
Large Enterprise	40

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about IceWarp?

It's scalable and stable.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IceWarp?

IceWarp was very cost-effective, offering services at a significantly lower cost than Google, which was appealing for our organization.

See all answers

What needs improvement with IceWarp?

The solution needs improvements in security, particularly regarding document management. Users currently have the rights to delete smart documents, which poses a challenge for administrators. A mor...

See all answers

What do you like most about Microsoft Exchange Online?

The benefits are widespread and effective communication. We use Microsoft Teams for meetings within and outside our organization. Additionally, Teams can be used for chat, allowing us to track comm...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Exchange Online?

If I segment it into three points: low price, average, and high price, I would place Microsoft Exchange Online between average and high price.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Microsoft Exchange Online?

I see no disadvantages currently. From the admin perspective, whenever an admin wants to get the email backup for a particular employee, there are a few challenges in terms of the role assignment o...

See all answers

Comparisons

Zoho Mail vs IceWarp

Compared 26% of the time

Google Workspace vs IceWarp

Compared 12% of the time

Microsoft Exchange vs IceWarp

Compared 10% of the time

Zimbra Collaboration vs IceWarp

Compared 10% of the time

KerioConnect vs IceWarp

Compared 7% of the time

More IceWarp Competitors

Google Workspace vs Microsoft Exchange Online

Compared 29% of the time

Open-Xchange vs Microsoft Exchange Online

Compared 16% of the time

Amazon WorkMail vs Microsoft Exchange Online

Compared 10% of the time

Zimbra Collaboration vs Microsoft Exchange Online

Compared 6% of the time

ProtonMail vs Microsoft Exchange Online

Compared 6% of the time

More Microsoft Exchange Online Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

IceWarp

January 2026

Download IceWarp product report

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Exchange Online

January 2026

Download Microsoft Exchange Online product report

Also Known As

No data available

Exchange Online, Exchange Online Plan 1, Exchange Online Plan 2, MS Exchange Online

Overview

IceWarp helps thousands of organizations streamline all areas of business communication and become more profitable by providing Mail Server complete with GroupWare, Calendaring and Document Management, accessible through an intuitive WebClient, simple to setup in WebAdmin. Customize with add-ons: spam and virus protection, Instant Messaging with video calls, mobile sync and more.

IceWarp

Exchange Online helps protect your information with advanced capabilities. Anti-malware and anti-spam filtering protect mailboxes. Data loss prevention capabilities prevent users from mistakenly sending sensitive information to unauthorized people. Globally redundant servers, premier disaster recovery capabilities, and a team of security experts monitoring Exchange Online around the clock safeguard your data.

Microsoft

Sample Customers

Marriott, Toyota, Sony, Wendy's, Canon

Bank Alfalah Ltd., Paderborn-Lippstadt Airport, Blue Star Infotech, Scitec Nutrition, Resolution Films, British Airways, Empire Cinemas, InnoGames

Buyer's Guide

IceWarp vs. Microsoft Exchange Online

December 2025

Free Report: IceWarp vs. Microsoft Exchange Online

Find out what your peers are saying about IceWarp vs. Microsoft Exchange Online and other solutions. Updated: December 2025.

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