Difference between POP3 and IMAP Protocols
In order to comfortably work with the mail directly on your computer, it is necessary to first download them from the server. There are two way (protocols) to load the mail to your computer: POP3 and IMAP. They both have their advantages and certain disadvantages, so you should decide based on your needs which one to choose.
The IMAP protocol stores your mail on the server. For those who need to access all of their email from more than one computer it is probably the best choice. The POP3 protocol, by default, downloads messages to your computer and then deletes them from the mail server. If you leave all of your mail on a primary computer (for example, your office computer), but want to have access to recently received mail on a secondary computer (a home computer), you should leave your messages on the server for a limited period of time.
Post Office Protocol
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Internet Message Access Protocol
Internet Message Access Protocol
(IMAP)
In the case of an IMAP server, the e-mail client will download only a “list” of received e-mails to your computer, where you can select which ones should be downloaded.
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Protocol Selection
If you still have not decided which of the protocols is more suitable for your needs, here are some tips to help you:
- In your mobiles, you should definitely select IMAP; most clients use their phones during the day only to briefly check their mailbox to see if an important mail has been delivered.
- If you do not have regular Internet access, or pay for the volume of transported data, or you want to have access to your e-mails also when you are not on-line, select the POP3 protocol for your computer;
- If you have a relatively stable and frequent Internet access, use IMAP. Incoming mail will stay on the server, where it is regular backed up at night, so you do not have to do it yourself. In addition, you have constant access to your mail from your mobile or webmail.