What is the Difference between IMAP and POP?

Asked By amber ward 10 points N/A Posted on - 05/06/2013

Hello Techyv!

Can anyone knows the complete difference between IMAP and POP?  Can you please tell me which one is better to use? Based on your experience, what makes IMAP better than POP or on the other way around, what makes POP better than IMAP? I would love to hear the opinions of the experts.

Thank you so much,

Amber Ward

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Answered By Burton Studebaker 0 points N/A #159389

What is the Difference between IMAP and POP?

 

Hi Amber,

 

I think that is a really good question. Some of the email users don't know what is IMAP and POP servers, even what is the difference between the two. Simplest way to understand is that IMAP usually keeps your mail on the server while POP downloads your mail to your computer.

IMAP works by keeping mail on the server. POP works by downloading your mail to your computer.

 

POP means "Post Office Protocol". If you have a POP account, it usually downloads email or mail to your computer. When the message gets downloaded, it automatically deletes itself from the ISP's mail server. The reason for this is for you to not be able to read the same messages when you use a different computer.

 

 

IMAP means "Internet Message Access Protocol". This type of account server is better than POP for accessing mail in different locations as it will leave the messages on the ISP's mail server. Please note that unlike POP accounts, there are no copies of the mail messages that will be saved on your computer, unless you make one.

 

 

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• Posted on - 05/09/2013
• Question Category: Internet/Email Software