Trying to send a video email – but not sure if Gmail or Outlook is better? You’re not alone. Whether you're sharing a product demo, async update, or sales intro, the right platform can make or break your video’s performance.

This guide walks you through the pros and cons of Gmail and Outlook for sending video emails – and how to make sure your message actually gets seen.

Why Video Emails Matter in 2025

Video isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s a game-changer in your inbox strategy:

• 📹 Adding the word “video” in subject lines can increase open rates by 7–19%
• 🖼️ Including a video thumbnail in the email can raise click-to-open rates by up to 40%
• 🎯 Video emails generate 300% higher ROI compared to text-only emails
• 🛍️ 90% of customers say video helps them make better buying decisions
• 🧠 People are 13% more likely to remember a message delivered via video than text

These stats aren’t just impressive – they’re a clear signal that video belongs in your email workflow     .

Gmail: Familiar, Fast, and Video-Friendly

Gmail is the go-to platform for startups, sales teams, and async communicators – and for good reason:

• File limit: 25MB
• Auto-upload to Google Drive for larger videos
• Clean interface, mobile-friendly
• Partial AMP support for dynamic emails

However, Gmail doesn’t allow embedded video playback in most cases. Instead, the best approach is to use a video link + thumbnail combo. This creates a clickable, high-converting visual that sidesteps delivery issues and plays reliably in-browser.

Best for: async video updates, Gmail + Google Drive workflows, light personalization.

Outlook: Corporate-Ready, But Clunky for Video

Microsoft Outlook is preferred in many enterprise environments – but comes with trade-offs:

• File limit: 20MB
• Integrates with OneDrive and Microsoft Stream
• No native video embed support
• Fewer dynamic email capabilities

If you're sending internally across Microsoft 365, Outlook offers solid control and access management. But for outbound or external video communication, its lack of playback support and heavier UI make it a bit harder to move fast.

Best for: internal sharing, structured enterprise email flows, Microsoft-native teams.

No matter which email platform you use, sending personalized video is easier than you think. Learn how to send better video emails across any client in The Ultimate Guide to Video Email.

Why Email Clients Alone Aren’t Enough

Here’s the catch: neither Gmail nor Outlook natively supports true video embedding – and even if they did, you’d still battle with file size limits, compression loss, and zero engagement tracking.

That’s why async-first teams are switching to tools like Videolink.

With Videolink, you can:

• Record screen or webcam in-browser
• Share a secure link (no file uploads needed)
• Avoid size limits and compression issues
• Add branding and CTAs
• Track opens, completions, and engagement – in real time

Just paste the link into Gmail or Outlook and let your video do the talking.

Want better open and reply rates? See why Video Emails That Get Replies outperform plain text.

So Which One Wins?

Use Gmail if:

• You’re already in the Google ecosystem
• You want a clean UI with Drive integration
• You send async updates and marketing follow-ups

Use Outlook if:

• You work inside a Microsoft 365 organization
• You need Stream integration or heavy compliance features
• Your communication is mostly internal

Use Videolink with either if:

• You want video that works in both platforms
• You care about engagement tracking and viewer analytics
• You want to skip size limits, broken embeds, and clunky file handling

Final Takeaway

Don’t choose Gmail or Outlook for video – choose a better way to send it. With tools like Videolink, your message arrives polished, personal, and ready to be watched.

🎥 Send video emails that actually get opened, watched, and remembered – whether you're using Gmail, Outlook, or anything else.

👉 Try Videolink →

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