No, see, what Microsoft is doing is selling you a domain name as a part of their deal. I didn't see what they're charging you for that, but they're charging something. Google's deal is $5 a month, and it looks like the domain name is buried in the cost.
Now, going over to GoDaddy, I see they're selling domain names for $11, and oddly enough are running a special for $1 on them (don't look at me!) Email... They got a "personal" web email (that works from your browser) service, that also supports blackberrys, iphones and android, for like another $1. But if you want the full facilities of Outlook (you know, the shared folders, calendaring, crap & cruft) that runs you $9 a month.
The more you ask, the more we answer. What was once a choice of one became a choice of two, and I added the third for grins. If you ask again, we'll give you a 4th, 5th, 6th option. Why? Because we enjoy causing you consternation
Incidentally, just because you have email with a browser-based GUI doesn't mean you can't use Outlook Express or Thunderbird with them. You'll just have to set up the POP3 or IMAP address.
I can look at other ISPs and getcha more prices