IMAP vs POP3
From OCS Support Wiki
This article will describe some of the differences between IMAP and POP3.
Contents |
[edit] POP3
POP3 is the older of the two mail protocols, designed for on-permanent connections where downloading mail messages and closing the connection to the server is ideal.
Just because its older doesn't mean it isn't worth using however. Not only is it the most common of the mail access methods but it has a wider range of support. There are still some mail clients that do not fully support all of the features of IMAP.
[edit] Benefits
- Let's you store your messages on your computer, independent of the server
- Has the most support from mail clients, some mail client's features don't work with IMAP
- If you don't have Internet access, you can still access your mail you've already received.
[edit] Disadvantages
- If you download your mail on one computer, you cannot access that mail you downloaded on another computer (unless you instruct your mail client to leave the messages on the server)
- If you don't back up your mail and have to reinstall or have a corrupted mailbox, you can loose your mail
[edit] IMAP
IMAP is a more modern standard for accessing mailboxes and allows you to work with your mail on the server.
[edit] Benefits
- Allows you to access your mail from any computer and access all of your messages, regardless of what computer you were on when you got the mail
- If you reinstall your computer you do not have to backup your mail first
- With some mail clients, IMAP is the only way to keep separate inboxes for different mail accounts
- Downloads messages more efficiently than POP3 in many cases
[edit] Disadvantages
- If you don't have Internet access you cannot access your mail, even mail you've already received
- If a problem develops on the server, it may affect your mailboxes
