Knowledge Base

Choosing the Right Email Protocol

IMAP and POP3 are two ways to access your email. Here's how they differ.

IMAP (Recommended)

Internet Message Access Protocol

• Emails stay on the server
• Syncs across all devices
• Read/unread status syncs everywhere
• Folders sync across devices
• Uses server storage
• Requires internet to access old emails

POP3

Post Office Protocol

• Downloads emails to your device
• Optionally deletes from server
• Emails on one device only
• Access offline after download
• Uses local storage
• No sync between devices

When to Use IMAP

• You check email on multiple devices
• You want email backed up on the server
• You need consistent access everywhere

When to Use POP3

• You only use one device
• You have limited server storage
• You want local copies only
• Privacy concerns about server storage

Port Numbers