I prefer IMAP over POP. Before we take a look at the differences between POP and IMAP, I would like to define “email client” as a mobile device app or computer/laptop program used to read and write emails.
POP – Post Office Protocol. This is a one-way flow of emails. Typically, an email client will retrieve emails from the email server to your local device or computer. These emails will stay at the device or computer locally. The remote email server will then delete the original emails. Although POP also allows other advanced configurations, for the purpose of this article, we shall not discuss them. This method is commonly used when the Internet speed is slower and is not always on.
Some people prefer using their computer to retrieve emails via POP. This method, if configured correctly, will allow emails received to stay at both the local computer and remote email server. When there is no Internet connection, emails can be read locally, especially older emails.
IMAP – Internet Message Access Protocol. IMAP allows two-way email synchronization. When you set up your devices or computers to retrieve emails using the IMAP protocol you are effectively syncing all emails on the remote server to local devices or PCs. With this method, emails are centrally stored on the email server all the time, including sent emails. The more recent emails are also stored locally enabling access to them even if there is no Internet connection. This is the preferred method if you access emails from many devices/computers.
Since I use a phone, tablet, notebook and desktop to access emails, I prefer the IMAP method. This method allows me to be able to access all emails including sent emails using any device/computer. The disadvantage of this method is that you need to have Internet connection to read older emails that are not stored locally.