imap vs pop3

IMAP (Internet Messaging Access Protocol) vs POP3 (Post Office Protocol)

Both POP3 and IMAP are protocols used between mail clients and email servers to access messages. These protocols allow people to use programs like Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail and mobile devices to manage their email. The way these protocols work, however, is very different.

POP3 downloads messages off the server to the mail client and can be configured to delete the messages off the server, save them on the server for a specified period of time or leave them indefinitely.

IMAP, a newer protocol, synchronizes messages and folders between the mail client and the server which can be especially useful working on multiple computers and devices. IMAP also keeps track of message status and conveniently synchronizes messages as read or unread across all connected computers and devices.

While IMAP is generally the preferred protocol, POP3 works just fine for users who only use one machine or for some reason don’t want to keep messages on the server or in a cloud environment and prefer to have their messages permanently stored on their local computers.

IMAP (Internet Messaging Access Protocol)

• Emails are stored on the server.
• Sent messages are stored on the server.
• Messages can be synced and accessed across multiple devices.

POP3 (Post Office Protocol)

• Emails are stored on a single device.
• Sent messages are stored on a single device.
• Emails can only be accessed from a single device.
• If you want to keep messages on the server, make sure the setting "Keep email on server" is enabled or all messages are deleted from the server once downloaded to the app or software.