IMAP and POP3

Differences Between POP3 and IMAP

When setting up an email account in a program like Outlook, Thunderbird, or on your smartphone, you'll be asked whether you want to use POP3 or IMAP. Both protocols allow you to receive emails, but they function differently. Here's a summary of the main differences: 

Where Are Emails Stored?

POP3 (Post Office Protocol, Version 3): 

• Emails are downloaded from the server to your device and typically deleted from the server. This means they are only available on the device where they were downloaded. 

Advantage: No server storage is used. 

Disadvantage: Emails are only available on one device and cannot be accessed from others. 

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol): 

• Emails remain stored on the server, and you can access them from multiple devices. Changes, like deleting an email, are synced across all devices. 

Advantage: Emails are accessible from any device, anywhere. 

Disadvantage: Emails consume storage space on the server. 

Access from Multiple Devices

POP3: 

• POP3 is designed for access from one device. Once an email is downloaded, it is typically deleted from the server, meaning it is no longer available on other devices. 

IMAP: 

• IMAP is ideal for accessing emails from multiple devices. Since emails remain stored on the server, they are synced across all devices. Whether you access your email on your smartphone, laptop, or tablet, you'll always see the same emails. 

Managing E-Mail-Folders

POP3: 

• POP3 only supports the inbox. This means you can't create or sync folders on the server. Folder management has to be done locally on your device. 

IMAP: 

• IMAP allows you to create and sync folders directly on the server. Your folder structure remains consistent across all devices, and emails in different folders are synced everywhere. 

Summary:

POP3: 

• Emails are downloaded and usually deleted from the server. 
• Ideal if you manage emails on just one device and want to save server storage. 
• Not suitable for accessing emails from multiple devices. 

IMAP: 

• Emails stay on the server and are synced across all devices. 
• Perfect for managing emails from multiple devices. 
• Your folders and emails remain the same on all devices.