Document information
| Document ID: | 4550 |
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| Subject: | Differences between POP3 and IMAP protocol |
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| Creation date: | 12/14/15 4:35 PM |
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| Last modified on: | 8/15/18 10:42 AM |
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Differences between POP3 and IMAP protocol
Both IMAP and POP3 are used to fetch emails from an email repository to client's machine. However, the implementation of these two protocol is quite different. The following table lists some of the differences.
| POP3 | IMAP |
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- All messages as well as their attachments are downloaded into desktop PC during the 'check new email' process.
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- A whole message will be downloaded only when it is opened for display from its content. Messages gets downloaded in different parts.
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- Emails are downloaded to user's machine unless they specifically leave a copy on the server.
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- Emails stay on the server. This allows access from multiple clients such as a web interface and fat clients like MS Outlook.
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- Mailboxes can only be created on client's machine. There is only one mailbox (INBOX) exists on the server. Users must log in to Xeam's admin to view their Junk and Possible Junk messages.
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- Multiple mailboxes can be created on the desktop PC as well as on the server. By default, Xeams create Inbox, Junk and Possible junk folders. Users can access their Junk messages right from your email client.
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- Filters can transfer incoming/outgoing messages only to local mailboxes.
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- Filters can transfer incoming/outgoing messages to other mailboxes no matter where the mailboxes locate (on the server or the client's machine).
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- Outgoing email is stored only locally on the user's machine.
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- Outgoing email can be filtered to a mailbox on server for accessibility from other machine.
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- Is less resource intensive both on client and server.
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- Is more resource intensive since client and server constantly talk to each other.
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- You can view messages even when you are not connected to the Internet.
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- You must be connected on a network that can access the server.
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