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Introduction
POP3 (Post Office Protocol) or IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) are two distinct methods for accessing mail using an email client from a third party or software. Each method downloads the email data directly from AOL (America Online) to your computer or another device. However, they differ in the location where emails are saved.
If you set up an email address within one of the mail clients, you’ll have to decide if you prefer to set it up with POP3 or an IMAP. Both of these are ways of connecting to the server, so you can view your emails via the email program.
Examine the differences and select the best option for your requirements. If you choose POP3 or IMAP to access your email, you’ll have to configure the email client to work with AOL settings.
What is POP3?
POP3 (or Post Office Protocol Version 3) is an application layer protocol we use in email client applications that read emails from servers that use the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) /IP (Internet Protocol) networks. POP elaborated to transfer messages from the server to local disks. However, version 3 offers the option of storing copies on the server.
POP3 is a simple method to implement. However, it restricts its use. For instance, POP3 supports only one mail server per mailbox. It is now replaced by more modern protocols such as IMAP.
What is IMAP?
IMAP can be abbreviated to Internet Message Access Protocol. It works to manage and retrieve emails on a remote server via a local client. We also call it MAA, or the Message Access Agent.
Because IMAP is concerned with retrieving messages, it isn’t possible to send emails via the IMAP protocol via the internet. IMAP is a protocol accepted across all web servers and email applications.
Key Differences Between POP3 and IMAP
Check this section to learn how POP3 and IMAP work to help you discern between these two protocols.
- The major difference between IMAP and POP3 is that when using the POP3 protocol, the user must download their mail before accessing it. However, the IMAP protocol allows the user to partially examine the mail’s contents before downloading it.
- Using IMAP protocol, users can make, delete, or edit mailboxes. The user can establish an order of mailboxes within the folder. However, it’s not possible with POP3.
- Using the IMAP protocol, the user can arrange emails on the server, which is impossible with POP3.
- POP3 protocol does not permit you to search through the content of an email for a specific string of characters before downloading. In comparison, IMAP users can find the email’s contents for a certain string of characters before downloading.
- IMAP lets users download mail in part in case the bandwidth is limited, but this feature is not supported in POP3.
- POP3 is basic and has only a few functions, whereas IMAP is modern and powerful and comes with additional functions that are not available in POP3.
IMAP is more adaptable and sophisticated than POP3. POP is a basic protocol that allows only downloading of mail from the Inbox to your computer local to you. IMAP is a more feature-rich protocol that allows users to browse all the folders on the mail server.
The IMAP sync indeed deletes messages from the server. If one deletes a post, it will be deleted from the server.
You may need to consider using POP3 when you have not linked your primary email account to a popular web-based mail service such as Outlook and Gmail. Alternatives to email accounts, such as those provided by Internet Service Providers and web hosting providers, often limit the amount of mail that can be saved on their server.
IMAP is highly dependable when you access your email on different devices, such as a smartphone and a work computer. POP3 is suitable if you use only one device, but you have an enormous amount of emails. It’s also a good option if you have a slow internet connection and require access to your emails offline. For the majority of people, IMAP will meet their requirements better.
