Namecheap Email Client Setup

I’ve just bought a private mailbox from Namecheap and I can’t receive messages yet. All the records are still at their defaults, so MX, SPF, and any necessary DKIM or CNAME settings need to be entered correctly and propagated. Once that is in place, I’d like the account connected to a desktop email client so I can read and send mail without logging into Namecheap’s web portal.

My priority is price: if Gmail-for-workspace can be configured at a lower monthly cost than Outlook 365, I’ll choose Gmail; if Outlook comes out cheaper, I’ll go that route. Either way, I’ll rely on your recommendation and need the IMAP/SMTP details plugged into the chosen client so I can hit “Send/Receive” and see a test message land in the inbox.

To call the job finished I’ll need:
• Correct DNS/MX records verified in my Namecheap dashboard
• Chosen service (Gmail or Outlook) authenticated and active
• Desktop client—Outlook, Thunderbird, or another you suggest—showing a live inbox with a successful test message in and out
• A short note or screenshot so I can repeat the setup on a second computer later

I’m ready to start right away and will stay online for quick DNS confirmations so we can wrap this up today.