Pop Vs Imap Protocol

Both POP3 and IMAP protocol are used for email retrieval process.

Pop Protocol

• Pop protocol downloads the mail from the server, stores it locally and deletes from the server.


• POP3 is useful only when you access email from only one computer.


• POP3 is a one-way communication.


• All mails are stored locally and without internet connection we can access them.


• When the mail is accidentally deleted, we cannot recover it.

IMAP Protocol

• IMAP protocol connects the remote server, caches the mail locally and then disconnects from the server.


• IMAP is useful when you want access e-mail from multiple systems.


• IMAP is a 2-way communication