POP versus IMAP and Webmail
Almost all Email Client programs (applications) use either the POP protocol or the IMAP protocol for your incoming email. Click here for more information on Email Clients.
POP (Post Office Protocol)
POP3 (the latest version) supports email operations with a simple download-and-delete function. Although you have the option to leave mail on on your hosting server after download, Email Clients using POP generally connect, retrieve all messages, store the retrieved messages on their local device (computers, handheld devices and smart phones) as new messages, delete the messages from the hosting server and then disconnect.
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)
IMAP supports email operations with a simple read-and-leave function. Email Clients using IMAP connect to their hosting server, retrieve all messages and generally leave those messages on the hosting server until the messages are explicitly deleted. Email Clients may store local copies of retrieved messages on their local devices (computers, handheld devices and smart phones) and these messages are considered to be a local device temporary cache.
POP is recommended for:
- Users who prefer quicker access to read emails
- Users who need to store mail on their local devices (before disconnecting from their hosting server).
IMAP is recommended for:
- Users who connect to email accounts from many local devices
- Users with various mobile devices and internet access
- Multiple users that need to access the same email account
- Users who wish to always have their messages, including sent messages and message folders, saved on their hosting server
Accessing Email with Webmail
Webmail (Click here for more information on Webmail Email Clients) is often preferred because it is easy to use and it can be accessed from any local device through a web browser. Webmail also has all the same advantages as IMAP.
POP Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
- Ability to manage your email through one main local device
- Messages are stored locally (i.e. computers, handheld devices and smart phones) so you can always access your email, even when you're not online
- Attachments are downloaded with the message simultaneously
- Because messages are downloaded locally, your hosting server disk space limits are reduced
Disadvantages:
- Malicious viruses, javascripts and malware has a better entry-point for infecting your local device
- Local device data loss risk also risks locally stored emails (hosting servers tend to have better backups protocols)
- New email retrieval can slow (because the Email Client using POP checks all local device email downloads against emails stored on the hosting server)
IMAP Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
- All email is stored on the hosting server
- You can change Email Client programs without a change in your emails
- Local device data loss risk is reduced as mail is stored on the hosting server
- Easier access to mail when retrieving mail using multiple local devices
- Multiple users that need to access the same email account
Disadvantages:
- Email is only available on the hosting server, so retrieval requires an Internet connection
- Catastrophic hosting server failure could result in potential loss of mail
- Folders may appear slightly different in your Email Client using IMAP instead of POP as folders are stored on the hosting server instead of on a local device
Conclusion
IMAP is best suited for users needing access emails from multiple locations and for multiple users needing access to the same email account.
POP is best suited for users that prefer quick downloading emails, saving mail on their local devices and want offline access.
