POP | IMAP |
- Email is downloaded from server onto your chosen device | - Email remains on the server |
- Can be set up and accessed on one device only | - Can be set up and accessed on an unlimited number of devices |
Example scenario: You login to your email on your workplace desktop computer. The emails are then pulled from the server onto your computer and cannot be accessed from any other device. If you got a new desktop computer you would lose every email you accessed via that device. | Example scenario: You login to your email on your workplace desktop computer. The emails remain on the server. You leave work that day and remember that you need to answer an important email you read on your workplace desktop earlier in the day. You login to your email from your laptop at home, find the email and answer it. This is not possible using POP. |
Pros: Increased security because the emails are only present on one device. Cons: If the device you use to check your email crashes/breaks/gets replaced, the emails you checked on that device will be lost. | Pros: Can check your email on multiple devices, including desktop, laptop, phone, tablet, etc. Cons: None worth noting. |
| POP Email Setup How-To |
We suggest using IMAP to most of our clients. However, there are a few cases where POP3 is a better fit. Use the comparison chart below to determine which settings best fit your needs before following the email setup how-to's (links below).