Do I need Microsoft 365 Copilot to use AI in Outlook?

No. Airbox works through forwarding with your own AI key, so you can add AI to Outlook without a Copilot license or any add-in.

Do I have to forward each email by hand?

No. Forward or BCC manually when you want, or set an auto-forwarding rule in Gmail, Outlook, or Apple Mail so matching mail reaches your Airbox address automatically and runs through your AI with no extra steps.

How much does it cost?

Airbox has a free plan to get started. You bring your own AI provider API key, so you pay the provider directly for the tokens you use — there is no AI markup from Airbox.

Is it safe to point Airbox at my real email?

Yes — that's exactly what Airbox is designed for. Airbox only acts on mail from senders you allow, and it only treats the subject and first body line (or a (* … *) block) as instructions. Everything else in a forwarded email is quarantined as untrusted content and never obeyed for your own security and privacy. Your API keys stay fully encrypted.

An Outlook Copilot alternative

The short answer

Microsoft 365 Copilot adds AI to Outlook for a per-user license fee, using Microsoft's model. Airbox is the bring-your-own-AI alternative: forward or auto-forward Outlook mail to a private address and your own model — Claude, ChatGPT, Google Gemini — summarizes, drafts, and triages it, with the reply back in Outlook. No Copilot license, no add-in.

Airbox vs Microsoft 365 Copilot (Outlook)

	Airbox	Outlook Copilot
License	Free to start; pay your AI provider directly	Per-user Microsoft 365 Copilot add-on
AI model	Bring your own — Claude, GPT, Gemini, …	Microsoft's built-in model
How it works	Forward / auto-forward to an address	Built into Outlook
Switch models	Per inbox or per email	No
Beyond Outlook	Works with Gmail and Apple Mail too	Microsoft 365 apps

Choose Airbox if…

You don't want to pay for a Copilot license per user
You want a model other than Microsoft's, with your own key
You want one workflow across Outlook, Gmail, and Apple Mail

Choose Copilot if…

You're deep in Microsoft 365 and want AI across all its apps
Native, in-app AI is worth the per-user license

Frequently asked questions

Do I need Microsoft 365 Copilot to use AI in Outlook?: No. Airbox works through forwarding with your own AI key, so you can add AI to Outlook without a Copilot license or any add-in.
Do I have to forward each email by hand?: No. Forward or BCC manually when you want, or set an auto-forwarding rule in Gmail, Outlook, or Apple Mail so matching mail reaches your Airbox address automatically and runs through your AI with no extra steps.
How much does it cost?: Airbox has a free plan to get started. You bring your own AI provider API key, so you pay the provider directly for the tokens you use — there is no AI markup from Airbox.
Is it safe to point Airbox at my real email?: Yes — that's exactly what Airbox is designed for. Airbox only acts on mail from senders you allow, and it only treats the subject and first body line (or a (* … *) block) as instructions. Everything else in a forwarded email is quarantined as untrusted content and never obeyed for your own security and privacy. Your API keys stay fully encrypted.

Ready to try it?

Get your private Airbox address and send your first AI-routed email in minutes. Free to start — bring your own AI.