Both POP3 and IMAP are email protocols used for retrieving emails from a mail server, but there are some differences.
POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) is a simple and straightforward protocol that downloads emails from a server to a local device. In POP3, emails are stored on the device after being downloaded from the server, and there’s generally no synchronization between devices. Once an email is downloaded to a device, it is removed from the server unless the user specifically chooses to leave a copy on the server. This makes it the best option for users with limited internet connectivity and storage space.
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is a more advanced protocol that allows users to access and manage email messages on a server. In IMAP, emails remain on the server and are synchronized between different devices. This means that if you read or delete an email from one device, it will also be updated everywhere else, keeping your inbox consistent across devices. As a result, IMAP is the preferred option for users who require multiple devices to access their emails.
Overall, POP3 is ideal for users who want to maintain control over their emails on a single device, whereas IMAP is more suitable for users who need to access their emails from multiple devices while keeping them organized and synchronized.
