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POP vs IMAP


What is POP?
POP is short for Post Office Protocol. POP is one method used by e-mail programs to retrieve e-mail from the server. The important feature of POP is that when you retrieve your mail the messages are moved from the server to the computer you use to check mail

What is IMAP?
IMAP is short for Internet Message Access Protocol. It is the other main method used by e-mail programs to retrieve mail. Unlike POP, IMAP keeps your messages on the server. When you click to read a message IMAP presents the message that is stored on the server.

Which method am I using?
About 90 percent of users on campus use POP. If you did not specifically set your e-mail program to use IMAP, you are using POP.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
Protocol Advantages DisAdvantages
POP Message storage limited only by the capacity of your computer Reading your e-mail from multiple computers or e-mail programs results in messages scattered about. Messages are stored on your computer. If your computer fails you may lose all your e-mail.
IMAP Messages are stored on the server and are not affected if your computer fails. Easily use multiple computers or e-mail programs to read mail. Message storage is limited to 100MB for Gladstone and Darkwing users. Reading messages while offline requires use of your e-mail program's Offline mode

Which should I use, POP or IMAP?
Our experience shows that how users interact with their e-mail is intensely personal, and the decision is ultimately yours. However, here are some general guidelines:
  • Use POP if you read your mail on only one computer.
  • If you use more than one computer to read e-mail use IMAP.
  • If you need to use more than one e-mail program to read your mail, set each program to use IMAP.
  • Do you use Webmail occasionally, in addition to an e-mail program? Use IMAP. (Webmail is an IMAP-only e-mail client.)
  • Some e-mail programs have a "leave mail on server" option that simulates IMAP mode. If you use this feature please consider using IMAP.
If you are still unsure about which to use, or need information on how to switch from POP to IMAP (or IMAP to POP), please contact our Help Desk. >> Back
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