IMAP vs POP Protocol
The type of Email Account you create will depend on which Email Protocol you want to use:
- IMAP Protocol - incoming and outgoing mail is stored on the server, regardless of which device you use to connect to the mail server;
- POP Protocol - incoming and outgoing mail is stored on the device you are using to connect to the mail server.
Most users opt for IMAP simply because they use a wide range of devices to connect to the mail server at any one time.
Krystal Hosting provide a succinct comparison between IMAP and POP on their website.
Read more about: IMAP, POP and SMTP (Krystal Hosting)
What is POP Protocol?
"POP does not coordinate with the server. Messages marked as read/deleted/replied to in the mail application will not show up as such on the server. This means that future mail downloads with POP will show all messages as unread." Source: cPanel.
Features
Incoming and outgoing emails are stored in the Email Account of the Email Client on your device instead of in the related Mailbox on the Mail Server.
Mail sent from one device using the same Email Account will not be visible on another device.
If you create mail folders in an Email Account of the Email Client on your device, these folders will not be created in the related Mailbox on the Mail Server.
What is IMAP Protocol?
"IMAP email access coordinates between the server and your mail application. Messages that have been read/deleted/replied to will show up as such, both on the server and in the mail application." Source: cPanel.
Features
Incoming and outgoing emails are stored in the Mailbox on the Mail Server instead of in the related Email Account in the Email Client on your device.
Mail sent from one device using the same Email Account will be visible on another device.
If you create mail folders in the related Email Account of the Email Client on your device, these folders will (in reality) be created in the Mailbox on the Mail Server.
Backing Up Email
Whichever protocol you use, we cannot overstate the importance of periodically backing up email.
This is especially important if you run a business.
