Does Zoho work with Outlook?
Yes, Zoho works with Outlook in two main ways. Zoho CRM has an Outlook add-in that shows CRM details beside your emails and lets you add leads, contacts, deals and notes. Zoho Mail on a paid plan can be added to Outlook through IMAP or Exchange ActiveSync. The free Zoho Mail plan does not support this.
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The Zoho CRM add-in for Microsoft Outlook puts CRM inside your inbox. Zoho's help article says you can see lead and contact details when they email you, add new leads or contacts, convert leads, create activities and notes, add a deal for a contact, and link one email to several CRM records. Each user installs it from the Outlook add-in store and signs in with their Zoho account.
Zoho lists supported versions as Office 2019 or later on Windows, Office 2016 or later on Mac, Microsoft 365, and Exchange 2016 or 2019. Separately, Zoho CRM's Microsoft integration can sync contacts, meetings and tasks with Microsoft 365. Zoho notes limits on the first contact sync, and contacts created by import or data migration are not synced, so check the help article before you rely on it.
If you use Zoho Mail but prefer the Outlook app, you can add your Zoho mailbox to Outlook. Zoho publishes IMAP and SMTP settings for Outlook on Windows and Mac, and supports Exchange ActiveSync, which an admin must enable for each user. ActiveSync can also sync calendar and contacts. Zoho also offers its own Outlook add-in for Windows for these accounts.
The catch is the plan. Zoho's pricing and help pages say IMAP, POP and ActiveSync are not included in the free plan, at the time of writing. If you want to use Outlook as your mail app, you need a paid Zoho Mail or Zoho Workplace plan.
A common setup is Microsoft 365 for email and Zoho CRM for sales, joined by the Outlook add-in and the Microsoft 365 sync. Another is Zoho Mail for email with Outlook as the desktop app. Flowpeak sets up both, including email logging so replies show on the right CRM record.
Key points
- Zoho CRM has an Outlook add-in for viewing and creating CRM records from email.
- Zoho CRM can sync contacts, meetings and tasks with Microsoft 365.
- Paid Zoho Mail plans work in Outlook through IMAP or Exchange ActiveSync.
- The free Zoho Mail plan has no IMAP, POP or ActiveSync, at the time of writing.
- Admins must enable ActiveSync for each Zoho Mail user.
Common questions
Is there a Zoho CRM add-in for Outlook?
Yes. The Microsoft Outlook add-in for Zoho CRM lets you view, add and update leads, contacts and deals, and add notes and activities, without leaving Outlook.
Can I use Zoho Mail in Outlook?
Yes, on a paid plan. Add the account with Zoho's IMAP and SMTP settings or with Exchange ActiveSync once your admin enables it.
Does Zoho CRM sync with my Outlook calendar?
Zoho CRM's Microsoft 365 integration can sync meetings, contacts and tasks. Zoho lists some limits, such as contacts from imports not syncing, so test it with a few records first.
Sources and further reading
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Written by Flowpeak, a Zoho implementation partner. Zoho pricing and features change, so confirm current details on the official Zoho site. Free checklists | Ask us a question