We are using Microsoft Exchange for collaboration but mainly for email.
Business Intelligence & Data Management Director at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Highly stable and scalable
Pros and Cons
- "Microsoft Exchange is highly stable for the end-user systems. When we move to Office 365, it will be even more stable even. There's less administration required and it's very robust. We are really quite happy in using that."
- "Microsoft Exchange could improve by being more secure. We are always looking to have more security."
What is our primary use case?
What needs improvement?
Microsoft Exchange could improve by being more secure. We are always looking to have more security.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Exchange for approximately 20 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Microsoft Exchange is highly stable for the end-user systems. When we move to Office 365, it will be even more stable even. There's less administration required and it's very robust. We are really quite happy in using that.
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What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The stability can depend on the user's internet speed. If the speed is good then the solution can be scalable.
We have approximately 3,000 to 4,000 users using this solution.
What about the implementation team?
There are two to three people doing the maintenance of the Microsoft Exchange.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We have had an enterprise license agreement for three years. We are always seeking more value for our money, the price could be reduced.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to others.
I rate Microsoft Exchange an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.

Architecture Director at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees
We're confident in the solution because the support is always there for us
Pros and Cons
- "Exchange's interface is good. All of our engineers like it and are accustomed to using it."
- "The main problem with Microsoft products is that we're constantly required to install patches and fixes."
What is most valuable?
Exchange's interface is good. All of our engineers like it and are accustomed to using it.
What needs improvement?
The main problem with Microsoft products is that we're constantly required to install patches and fixes. In fact, Microsoft frequently publishes, which is in itself a guarantee of quality, security updates especially for the OS that we are forced to apply. The problem is, this causes us to do a lot of testing before we go into production to make sure that our systems continue to function properly.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've worked as an administrator of Microsoft Exchange for five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We haven't identified any serious problems with Exchange.
How are customer service and support?
We have always used Exchange. That's a strategic choice for our company. We are confident in Microsoft because their support is always there for us.
How was the initial setup?
The setup was easy. When we first deployed Exchange, we had some guidance from Microsoft, but now our engineers use it effortlessly.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Microsoft Exchange eight out of 10. I hope Microsoft will continue to support the on-premises versions of their products because they are increasingly orienting themselves toward Exchange in the cloud. Unfortunately, cloud services are unavailable here in Nigeria.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
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Microsoft Exchange
August 2025

Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Exchange. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: August 2025.
866,561 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Owner at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
More mature than competing solutions but it has trouble integrating with other operating systems
Pros and Cons
- "I find Exchange's basic mail features to be highly valuable."
- "The calendar integration in Exchange is not that great. The email features are okay, but it doesn't integrate well with the calendar and appointments, especially Zoom appointments. It integrates fine with Microsoft Teams, but Zoom is a challenge."
What is most valuable?
I find Exchange's basic mail features to be highly valuable.
What needs improvement?
The calendar integration in Exchange is not that great. The email features are okay, but it doesn't integrate well with the calendar and appointments, especially Zoom appointments. It integrates fine with Microsoft Teams, but Zoom is a challenge.
Maybe the problems with integration are Apple's fault. The calendar doesn't integrate well with Apple's iOS. When I make appointments in Outlook, they don't necessarily transfer to the Apple Watch or the iPhone. If a meeting is canceled or rescheduled, it doesn't pick up at all. It's still showing appointments that were canceled months ago.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using Microsoft Exchange for seven or eight years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Microsoft Exchange's stability is okay. I'm about the jinx it, but it seems fine. I'm not really having problems with it, and I've got over 200,000 emails.
How are customer service and support?
I've contacted Microsoft support. They're overseas in India, I think. They usually solve the problem but not quickly. Sometimes it takes a while. I even let them access the computer remotely, and they do whatever. I would rate them average. They're okay but not great. It takes more time than necessary, it seems.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I still use Gmail, but I don't use it much. I'm not that impressed. Gmail isn't robust enough. I use the integrated mailbox for iPhone. It's okay but not great. Outlook is the best, but it could be better.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I pay about $100 for a license, but I'm a single owner.
What other advice do I have?
I'd rate Exchange seven out of 10. It has challenges with integration, whether it be through Android or Apple. We've been heavily using Zoom and Microsoft Teams this year, and that hasn't been great. It's passable. At the same time, I would give iOS Mail only a five or six, but then again, it's straightforward. It doesn't propose to do much else. The nice thing about iOS Mail is that you don't have to sift through different accounts. They all come up in the sandbox, which is cool. That's helpful for work.
If you're using Microsoft Exchange, make sure you have technical support. You need someone to call if you have problems. I pay for a technical support license from Microsoft.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Engineer at a energy/utilities company with 5,001-10,000 employees
Improves collaboration between our organization and contractors through the ability to exchange information and tasks
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features are that you can exchange information, tasks, attachments, and enhance the process in a short amount of time."
- "For the next release, there are some features on the cloud-based Exchange that aren't included on-prem. It would be great if these features were made available in the next release. For instance, integration between Exchange and its on-prem calendar is not available for the on-prem solution."
What is our primary use case?
Our entire organization uses Microsoft Exchange. We are using Microsoft Exchange 2016. The solution is deployed on-premises.
How has it helped my organization?
This solution has improved the collaboration between our organization and our partners and contractors.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features are that you can exchange information, tasks, attachments, and enhance the process in a short amount of time.
What needs improvement?
The security for the email technology could be improved.
For the next release, there are some features on the cloud-based Exchange that aren't included on-prem. It would be great if these features were made available in the next release. For instance, integration between Exchange and its on-prem calendar is not available for the on-prem solution.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for more than 15 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I think Exchange is one of the most stable products from Microsoft.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The product is scalable.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support is good. We're covered with the technical support maintenance agreement with Microsoft.
How was the initial setup?
Most of the process is straightforward.
What about the implementation team?
We used a consultant for deployment. We are working directly with Microsoft partnerships.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We renew the product license with Microsoft every three years. The cost is included within a bundle of services. It's an enterprise agreement with Microsoft.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate this solution 10 out of 10. It has enhanced the process of exchanging information between our organization and others.
I recommend this solution for others to use the auto implement. It's a good product. You can use this product through cloud, and it will be more valuable than on-prem deployment.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
ICT Consultant at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
It has inherent scalability
Pros and Cons
- "The availability group settings are better, so it has inherent scalability. In 2010, they added several sensible rules."
- "They could continue to improve the consolidation and integration of mailbox services to make them more flexible, easier to deploy, and more manageable."
What is our primary use case?
We use Microsoft Exchange mostly for corporate communication services—setting up an email box, calendar, setting appointments, etc. My organization is a very big organization. The user base is not less than 15 people. When I worked with Exchange at Starcomms on the corporate organization, we had more than 1,000. When I was at another company, we had a user base that is more than 60.
What is most valuable?
Exchange 2003 was a more closed environment, but they improved on it in 2010. The availability group settings are better, so it has inherent scalability. In 2010, they added several sensible rules.
What needs improvement?
They could continue to improve the consolidation and integration of mailbox services to make them more flexible, easier to deploy, and more manageable.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used it for a couple of years. I've used Exchange 2003, 2007, 2012, and 2015.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's scalable.
How are customer service and technical support?
When we've had issues that are beyond our ability to resolve, we've contacted Microsoft. Once we had a deep phishing outbreak that involved a lot of phishing emails, so I had to contact them and then work together to figure out how to stem that thing.
How was the initial setup?
Setup is straightforward for administrators if you understand networking services and the need for an active directory service. Exchange is a site-aware service, so you must have a good grip on active directory services. You need a deeper understanding of the networking layer, internet services, and broadband before you can manage it on your own as a system administrator. These are services that an experienced administrator can handle.
I was able to do it all on my own. I have robust experience in hardware, installation and maintenance, operating systems, networking, routing and switching, security as well as database administration, and a little bit of user support too. I can also support the exchanges from the client side of it.
In terms of deployment and maintenance, I do need a support engineer just to help with the labor. I also need maybe other system engineers as a backup. Then there's the technical team. Okay. In a corporate environment, you have people to deal with management influence, IT governance, and all the business cases underneath all that. Then you have the administrative level, including the security admin, a Windows admin for the Java site, then you have the Exchange admin. On the support level, you have user support.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
When I was working in another company, it was Enterprise volume licensing.
What other advice do I have?
Microsoft Exchange is the leader in corporate communication. It has been quite a good service. I rate it nine out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Test Automation Lead at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
User-friendly, scalable and reliable
Pros and Cons
- "For me, the solution is very user-friendly. I've used it a long time and I know where everything is."
- "For new users, it might take them some time to get used to the product."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the solution for emails and calendars and things like that.
What is most valuable?
It is a stable solution.
The solution is scalable.
For me, the solution is very user-friendly. I've used it a long time and I know where everything is.
What needs improvement?
For me it's sufficient. I don't see much that can be improved.
I'm not sure if the security is enough. That said, for my purposes, it's fine. However, I am aware there are always new vulnerabilities and security threats to worry about.
For new users, it might take them some time to get used to the product.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used the solution for as long as I've worked with the company I'm at now. It's been a few years at this point.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We have found the solution to be stable. There are no bugs or glitches. The performance is good. We don't worry about it crashing or freezing.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution has been scalable so far. We have no problems expanding it.
In our company, we have several thousand people that use the solution.
How are customer service and technical support?
I have never called technical support myself. Therefore, I cannot speak to how helpful or responsive they are. We have our own internal team that handles everything.
How was the initial setup?
I was not personally involved in the installation process. I cannot speak to how easy or difficult the setup would have been.
I'm not sure how many support personnel we require for deployment and maintenance.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I don't handle the licensing aspect of the solution. I cannot speak to any costs involved.
What other advice do I have?
I'm just a partner so not like I'm an administrator of IT.
It's my understanding that the solution we work with is a company installation and is not on the cloud, however, I'm not 100% sure.
I'm not sure which version of the solution we're on. I don't know the version number off-hand.
I'd rate the solution at a nine out of ten overall. we've been very pleased with its capabilities.
I would recommend the solution to other users and companies.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Solutions Architect at a comms service provider with 1-10 employees
Good integration with other services, fair price, and makes work much easier
Pros and Cons
- "It gives me benefit in terms of integration with other services such as SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and OneDrive. It makes my work much easier."
- "There are limitations in terms of the number of emails that can be sent in a minute, which makes it a little difficult for the marketing folks."
What is our primary use case?
I use it as a customer, and I also do implementations for my customers. I mostly go with hybrid deployments.
What is most valuable?
It gives me benefit in terms of integration with other services such as SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and OneDrive. It makes my work much easier.
What needs improvement?
There are limitations in terms of the number of emails that can be sent in a minute, which makes it a little difficult for the marketing folks.
The products or the updates that come in are more frequent. If I want to move from Exchange on-prem to Exchange Online, there are prerequisites that need to be met. They always have prerequisites for the latest one, but not all customers will have the latest infra. They might have a six or three months old version, but the expectation is the latest one. This prerequisite is a little inconvenient for those customers who wish to migrate to the cloud.
The response time of their support can be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for seven to eight years.
How are customer service and technical support?
I have not contacted them recently. I used to contact them four or five years ago. I would rate them a four out of five. One point is for the delay in their response.
How was the initial setup?
It depends on the organization. If it is an SME, it is going to be straightforward. If it is an enterprise, it is going to be complex.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Its price is fair.
What other advice do I have?
I will recommend others to go with the complete suite instead of going for just Exchange. If they go with Office 365, which is a bundled service, they will get more flexibility and collaborative workspace. It will enable their users to work without moving around the apps.
I would rate Microsoft Exchange an eight out of 10. Obviously, not everything is 100% satisfactory, but there are a lot of improvements happening.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Distributor
System Administrator at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
A stable and scalable business email and calendaring server that's user-friendly
Pros and Cons
- "It's a very user-friendly application. The mail server is also valuable when compared to other services like SquirrelMail."
- "From a security point of view, Microsoft should enhance the new features. Technical support could also be better."
What is most valuable?
It's a very user-friendly application. The mail server is also valuable when compared to other services like SquirrelMail.
What needs improvement?
From a security point of view, Microsoft should enhance the new features. Technical support could also be better.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Microsoft Exchange for about three or four years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Exchange is a very good Microsoft product, and it's very stable. It's rare to face issues like mailboxes, but troubleshooting is very easy.
From a security point of view, Microsoft Edge's role is very good. This is because the Edge server is not part of an internal network. If there's a vector attack on Exchange, it will affect only the internal Exchange Edge server and not our private network or DMZ.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This product is reliable and very scalable. We have almost 5,000 users at the moment.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support is average at best. Many times Microsoft engineers took a long time to support us after we logged a case.
What other advice do I have?
Microsoft Exchange is for any company with 400 to 500 people, but a mid-size company can also use this product. It's not very costly for them. The alternative many companies are using is Gmail desktop services with about 100 users. I don't know about the quantity, but many companies are using Gmail as a free service because they don't want to invest in other products like Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft Office 365.
On a scale from one to ten, I would give Microsoft Exchange a nine.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.

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