POP vs. IMAP: Key Differences Explained | Setting eMail Clients Exchange Protocols (Pros+Cons )
Vinayak SP
28/07/2025
The mail clients POP or IMAP - Which one should you use for your email address? You have more than one email address and want to use both on same mobile, even so if you ever want to setting up email address with domain name you need to configure email client app on your device. Before setting up, you need to know what is POP and IMAP.
POP3 Vs IMAP Exchange —
A comprehensive guide to understanding the differences between email protocols POP vs. IMAP. We explore how IMAP (Internet Messaged Access Protocol) is ideal for users who need to access their email from multiple locations and devices, as it stores messages on the server and syncs changes in real-time. In contrast, we cover how POP (Post Office Protocol) downloads emails to a single device and typically removes them from the server, making it a simpler choice for single-device users. Discover which protocol best suits your needs.
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These are the most preferable email protocols (methods) allows you to read emails on the devices you set up as pr they appear on the hosting server. Both IMAP (Internet Message access protocol) and POP (Post Office Protocol) allows the users to download & read their emails locally online as well as offline from a remote server. These email clients can use either POP3 or IMAP protocol connections to download all your mail using a third-party application like Microsoft Outlook, Mac Mail, Thunderbird, etc.
This is one of the Beginner's guide to IMAP vs POP and helps you to choose setup options for your email. Keep reading to know more about the differences between the mail clients IMPS Vs POP & their methods you can use to receive an email.
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Learn how to choose the best protocol for accessing the email messages on your device remotely and know the full detailed difference between POP3 vs IMAP for email. POP3 Vs IMAP Exchange: Know POP/IMAP email account differences - Which is better? Email Client protocols explained. Configure email client app easily.
Last time we have seen How to create free EMAIL ID with your own domain with Zoho mail server which works as a pop email hosting for FREE, and today we are going to see the meanings of POP & IMAP email accounts details.
Some of you have the question that; Does Gmail support IMAP? How to set up Gmail account in outlook? and the answer is yes Gmail support IMAP and you can easily setup Gmail into Outlook with the help of POP and IMAP Mail Server. These both POP/POP3 & IMAP are email protocols i.e. exchange server account that they allow you to read emails on your devices by using third-party apps. Examples of such applications are FastMail, Outlook, YahooMail Clients or Thunderbird. To set up an Internet email account in Outlook, you need to configure Outlook email servers settings like Incoming mail server/Outgoing mail server or SMTP email servers.
POP is only mean to download the messages from your mail server to your home computer. Once it’s downloaded it is removed from your mail server, so thereafter you can read the message only from your home computer.
This method is usually suggested for the people who want to keep a backup of all their email messages for offline reading. You can take the backup before closing the email ID account from the server.
It is less secure; as because it downloads the copies of all your email messages on your device and you don't need to log in again and again to read it.
The POP3 is a fast, effective protocol especially helpful if you only read the emails from one device.
This protocol is used to download/read all your emails messages from your mail server to your home computer synchronously. It is created particularly to reduce the restrictions of POP.
IMAP is much faster, advanced and secured than POP that allows the users to check all the folders via your client apps. You can instantly check the subjects & message bodies of any mail.
Like POP, in IMAP you can view & download the messages from your mail server, but the difference is you can delay the downloading as required whenever the larger emails with attachments arrived; even after downloading to your home computer they are also saved on your mail server, so whenever you want to see the same folders you have to just access your email by any means & from anywhere not necessarily from your home computer.
This method is mostly recommended to the users who connect to email accounts from multiple computers.
IMAP provides the extended security email encryption in case you want to set up business email on your app.
Difference Between POP and IMAP Email Protocol Accounts
Unsure whether to use POP or IMAP for your email account? This guide breaks down the essential differences. Learn how IMAP syncs your emails across all devices for seamless access, while POP3 downloads and stores them locally on a single computer. Understand the pros and cons to make the right choice.
No.
Functions
IMAP
POP3
1
Message Storage Location
Emails are stored on the server.
Emails are downloaded and stored locally on the device.
2
Access from Multiple Devices
Supports access from multiple devices with synchronized data.
Access is limited to the device where emails are downloaded; no synchronization.
3
Offline Access
Requires an internet connection for accessing emails.
Allows offline access after emails are downloaded.
4
Folder Management
Supports multiple folders and subfolders on the server.
Typically uses a single inbox; limited folder support.
5
Message Synchronization
Changes made (e.g., read/unread status) are synchronized across devices.
Changes are not synchronized; each device operates independently.
6
Server Storage Usage
Utilizes server storage for emails and folders.
Free up server storage after downloading emails.
7
Internet Bandwidth
Requires constant internet connection for email access.
Can download emails in bulk, reducing the need for constant internet access.
8
Security Features
Supports secure connections (SSL/TLS) for data transmission.
Supports secure connections (SSL/TLS) for data transmission.
9
Message Deletion
Deleted messages are removed from the server and all devices.
Deleted messages are removed from the local device; may remain on the server.
10
Search Capabilities
Allows server-side searching of emails.
Search is limited to downloaded emails on the local device.
11
Message Flags
Supports flags like read/unread, replied, etc., synchronized across devices.
Flags are not synchronized; each device maintains its own status.
12
Message Filtering
Supports server-side filtering and sorting of emails.
Filtering is typically done on the local device after downloading emails.
13
Backup and Recovery
Emails are stored on the server, facilitating easier backup and recovery.
Emails are stored locally; backup and recovery depend on the device.
14
Compatibility
Compatible with most modern email clients and services.
Compatible with most email clients; however, less commonly used in modern setups.
15
Setup Complexity
Requires more complex setup due to server configurations.
Generally easier to set up with basic configuration.
16
Use Case
Ideal for users who access email from multiple devices and require synchronization.
Suitable for users who access email from a single device and prefer offline access.
17
Data Storage
Utilizes server storage, which may have limitations based on the email provider.
Utilizes local storage, which may be limited by the device's capacity.
18
Message Downloading
Emails are not downloaded to the local device unless explicitly saved.
Emails are downloaded to the local device, consuming storage space.
19
Folder Synchronization
Folders are synchronized across all devices accessing the account.
Folders are not synchronized; each device maintains its own folder structure.
20
Message Availability
Messages are available as long as they are stored on the server.
Messages are available only on the device where they were downloaded.
Bottom Line
Related searches:
Know Internet Message Access Protocol: IMAP
Understanding the difference between IMAP, POP3 and SMTP
Which is better IMAP or POP?
IMAP vs. POP3: What Is It and Which One Should You Use?
What is difference between IMAP and POP?
Email Protocols - POP3, SMTP and IMAP Tutorial
Is Gmail a POP or IMAP?
IMAP vs POP3 | Email Client protocols explained
Is Outlook a POP or IMAP?
POP3 vs IMAP vs MS Exchange - Email Platforms Explained
POP3 Vs IMAP? - Obviously, it depends on user requirements and his activity, but in my point of view, IMAP is better than POP. Because IMAP is more advanced and allows you to see all your folders on your mail server.
You can quickly view subjects and message bodies of emails. It can delay downloading larger email, such as those with attachments.
IMP also allows you to synchronize mail folders between your home machine and mail server on the web. So that you see the same folders and messages wherever and however you access your email.
For safety in POP, you once downloaded the message only exists on your local computer. If crashes, the messages are lost, comparatively in IMAP all messages kept with multiple redundant copies on your mail servers.
Let us know which protocol you would like to use? You can share your thoughts via the comment section shown below.
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