Imap vs pop3

[Jamaima]

I need suggestion on this two e-mail checking protocol, IMAP and POP3. Which is the better email protocol? Which one is secure? I also want to know the features and advantages of IMAP server over POP3 protocol. Is there hardware requirement for this protocol. Which one provide better accessibility, allow to read off line messages?

[Macarenas]

There are of course benefits to both, IMAP will provide better accessibility no matter where you are, POP3 and IMAP are two different email protocols. Both allow you to access your emails offline from your preferred email client. POP3 will allow you to read messages offline and you do not need to worry about filling up an email quota.

[vishodhan]

IMAP is a server protocol which is used to receive the email from client site and it is stored in Internet server. Basicaly, a protocol is about a standard method used at each end of a communication channel, in order to properly transmit information. POP works by downloading your mail to your computer. IMAP is a standard protocol for checking e-mail. You can also create and manipulate folders or mailboxes on the server, delete messages, or search for certain parts or an entire note.

[JonathanD]

IMAP is one of the most prevalent Internet standard protocols for e-mail retrieval, the other being the POP.The latest version, IMAP4 is much similar to POP3 protocol, One of the significant benefits of IMAP is the ability to download the headers only, thus saving valuable time and bandwidth on emails you don't want to read for whatever reason.

[Raine]

POP is basically a flow through entity—it just passes on the information to you at your e-mail program.IMAP will insert a message into your INBOX to keep track of certain things. This message will only be visible when you check your mail using POP. Folders may appear slightly different in your e-mail client using IMAP instead of POP3. This is because the folders are stored on the server instead of locally on your computer.

[ThoMas321]

The setup of POP3 is a bit easier than IMAP. After you've entered your account credentials you need to choose whether you want to leave the mail on the server or to delete it. IMAP can be thought of as a remote file server, while POP3 can be thought of as a “store-and-forward” service. Ultimately they both accomplish similar tasks but often one will suit your needs better than the other.

[cool buddy]

In simple words, POP3 downloads all your mails on your PC when you run your mail client, whereas IMAP downloads only the headers (subject) initially and the mail only when you click a header.
While using IMAP everything that you do with your mail is executed on the server, i.e. if you delete a mail, it will be deleted from the server, if you move it to another folder, it will be moved on the server. In POP3 after the mails are downloaded, there is no interaction with the server, every such activity performed is executed locally and no change takes place on the server.