Differences between POP3 and IMAP
Both POP3 and IMAP are Message Accessing Agent which are widely used to retrieve messages from a mail server to receiver systems. Both helps in setting SPAM and virus filters.
Following are the important differences between POP3 and IMAP.
| Sr. No. | Key | POP3 | IMAP |
|---|
| 1 | Full Form | POP3 stands for Post Office Protocol 3 | IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol. |
| 2 | Complexity | POP3 is simple and only mails can be downloaded from your inbox to local computer. | IMAP is complex and allows to see all the folders on the mail server. |
| 3 | Ports | POP3 listens on 110 and POP with SSL, POP3DS listens on 995 port. | IMAP listens on 143 and IMAP with SSL, IMAPDS listens on 993 port |
| 4 | Multiaccess | POP3 suppots single device to access the mail at a time. | IMAP supports multiple devices which can access the mail at a time. |
| 5 | Download | In POP3, mail to be downloaded first then can be read. | In IMAP, mail can be partially read before complete download. |
| 6 | Mail Organize | Mails cannot be organized on mail server using POP3. | IMAP allows to organize mails on mail server. |
| 7 | Update Email | Mails cannot be created/updated/deleted on mail server using POP3. | IMAP allows to create/update/delete mails on mail server. |
| 8 | Search Content | Mail content cannot be searched on mail server using POP3. To search, mail to be downloaded first. | Mail content can be searched on mail server using IMAP. |
| 9 | Download | All message are downloaded at once. | Mail message header can be previewed befor a message is to be downloaded. |
| 10 | Change | Using local email software, a mail can be updated. | A mail can be updated via a web interface or email software. |
Published on 26-Nov-2019 10:46:25
