Microcomputer Services

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?
Check your e-mail program's account configuration. If you use Alphamail, our webmail program, you are using IMAP.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Protocol Advantage Disadvantage
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 1GB.

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:

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.