POP3 and IMAP Demystified
POP3 (Post Office Protocol) and IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) are two different email protocols. Both allow you to access your emails offline from your preferred email client.
POP3 vs. IMAP: Email Inbox Display
· POP3 downloads all emails into 1 mail folder called "Inbox".
· IMAP preserves your folder structure in a main folder called "imap.gmail.com".
POP3 vs. IMAP: Multi-Computer Access
· POP3 is useful if you only access your email from one computer, since the email is typically downloaded locally (this is the default and can be changed).
· IMAP allows email to be manipulated from a desktop computer at home, a workstation at the office, and a notebook computer while traveling, without the need to transfer messages or files back and forth between these computers.
POP3 vs. IMAP: Email Storage
· With POP3, your emails can be automatically erased from the server after they are downloaded freeing up space in your account.
· IMAP keeps all emails on the server until you erase them.
