IMAP vs Pop - Which should I use? Print

If you are using hosted email and are setting up your email software (e.g., Outlook, Mac Mail, Entourage), you must indicate how you want to receive email using an IMAP or POP connection. IMAP is quickly becoming the preferred method, since it gives you complete access to all email and all email folders, from multiple computers or mobile devices. Let's take a look below to learn more about the differences between IMAP and POP:

Note: Microsoft Exchange users access their mailbox data via the Exchange server, rather than using a POP or IMAP connection.

IMAP

When checking your email with an IMAP connection, you are accessing and managing your email directly from the email server. Some of the features included are below:

1. Access - Since the emails are stored on the email server, you can access and manage your email and
            email folders from multiple computers or mobile devices.
2. Storage - If you have limited online storage space, you may need to delete some emails periodically
            to avoid exceeding your storage capacity.
3. Backup - Email is automatically backed up every evening; so, if you accidentally delete an email, your
            email administrator can retrieve it, even up to 14 days later.
4. Internet Connection - If you do not have an Internet connection, you cannot access your email.

Note: By default, email clients store your sent, draft, and trash email on your computer, rather than storing it on the email server (as it should with an IMAP connection). You may need to map your email folders within your email client.

POP

When you check your email with a POP connection, new email messages are downloaded to your computer and are then deleted from the email server. Some of the features included are below:

1. Access - Since your email is stored on your computer, you must be at your computer to access your
            email.
2. Storage - You don¢t need to worry about running out of online storage space. Since you're
            downloading your emails to your computer, you can keep as many emails as your computer can store.
3. Backup - You should implement an effective backup system for your computer, in case you need to
            retrieve lost or deleted emails.
4. Internet Connection - You will need an Internet connection to download email, but you can view your
            downloaded email offline (i.e., without an Internet connection).

We like to give our customers the ability to choose from a variety of settings. Below is a list of optional server settings for you to choose from when setting up your email client. To use a secure connection, be sure to use the settings marked with "SSL."

To check which protocol Outlook is currently using, please view the article HERE.