Understanding IMAP and POP
IMAP is short for Internet Messaging Access Protocol. It is a method of accessing electronic mail messages that are kept on a (possibly shared) mail server as if they were local, without downloading copies to your local machine. Webmail uses IMAP to access the mail server, allowing you to view your e-mail from any computer using a Web browser.
POP, or Post Office Protocol, is a method of accessing electronic mail messages that are temporarily stored on a server until copies are downloaded to your local machine or disk.
POP clients move messages from the central mail server to your computer. Thunderbird is an example of a POP mail client. IMAP allows you to manipulate your remote messages as if they were local, but they are always stored on the server until you delete them. Webmail and Pine are examples of IMAP mail clients.
| Protocol | Defined | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) |
A method of accessing e-mail messages from a mail server without downloading copies to your local machine. | Allows you to access your inbox from any location on the network using different computers. Your messages remain on the server and are available in your inbox or other IMAP folders. |
POP (Post Office Protocol) |
A method of accessing e-mail messages temporarily stored on a server until copies are downloaded to your local machine or disk. | Allows you to access your mailbox, retrieve messages sent to you and otherwise manage them once they are are no longer on the server. Mail is transferred from the server and resides locally. It is not backed up on the server. This method allows you to maintain space on the server since your messages are stored on your own computer. |
