(apologies in advance if this isn’t the right community for this question)

I’ve been flirting with Linux on and off for about 15 years and I think I’m ready to make the switch mostly full-time. I use a laptop for work and have a Microsoft 365 plan with email and such. I need to replace that with something Linux-friendly and would much prefer something that works with a desktop email client. Easy syncing of email, contacts and calendar to Android is a must.

Proton seems like it might be a good option but the privacy features aren’t a huge selling point for me so I’m open to other options!

  • SynestineEnglish
    21•11 months ago

    If you’re (going to continue) using Office 365, you can use Evolution as an Outlook replacement. Evolution EWS rides OWA and ActiveSync protocols to give you email, calendars, contacts, notes, etc. I’ve used it for over a decade. It works very well once setup.

    As for Android, there are several, including Outlook for Android (which is bloated and slow, being a Microsoft product), which I am forced to use because of our company SSO config.

    If you’re looking for an Office 365 replacement, I use Nextcloud for my personal stuff. It has files, contacts, calendars, notes, etc. If you install the OnlyOffice plugin, you get multi-user online document and spreadsheet editing. I use the DAVx5 connector to get (shared and personal) contacts, calendars, and tasks in my Android phone. It integrates into the environment so all calendars and contacts apps work automatically. It also automatically backs up pics/vids I take with my phone automatically.

    • @[email protected]OP
      5•11 months ago

      This is great, thank you. I don’t see a compelling reason to keep using MS email if I’m ditching the Office apps and OneDrive, so in my case it’ll be all or nothing. This is the second recommendation here for OnlyOffice; I’ve been using LibreOffice but might have to give that a shot.

      • Synestine
        4•11 months ago

        If you’re replacing all of O365 (excellent choice, BTW), I do recommend Nextcloud with a few plugins. I use it specifically for sharing contacts and calendars among my family.

        LibreOffice is my desktop word processor and spreadsheet, and I use it more than OnlyOffice, but if you need two people in the same file at the same time, OnlyOffice is a better option.

    • bahmanm
      3•11 months ago

      Evolution (with Gnome) is pretty great! Smooth integration with both Google and Microsoft accounts with a decent UI.