The main difference between POP (Post Office Protocol) and IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) lies in how they handle your email messages on the server and your device:
POP (typically POP3):
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Downloads emails from the server to your device.
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Deletes emails from the server by default after downloading (though some clients let you change this).
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Access is limited to one device; changes (read, delete) made on one device don’t reflect on others.
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Good for: Users who want to store emails locally and free up server space.
IMAP:
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Synchronizes emails between the server and all connected devices.
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Emails stay on the server, and you see the same content across devices.
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Actions like reading, deleting, or organizing emails are reflected everywhere.
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Good for: Accessing your email from multiple devices (e.g., phone, tablet, computer).
Summary:
| Feature | POP | IMAP |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Location | Downloads to device | Stored on server |
| Sync Across Devices | No | Yes |
| Server Space | Frees up space (by deleting emails) | Uses server space |
| Best For | Single-device use | Multi-device access |
