A mail app (also known as a "client") is required in order to connect via POP or IMAP. A mail app will simply launch from your desktop and gives you access to all your emails. Also, mail apps have advanced tools and features which Webmail may not have. There are many to choose from, such as the program included with your Operating System: Microsoft Windows includes either Outlook or Windows Mail, Apple includes Mail or Microsoft Entourage. There are also third-party programs such as Mozilla's Thunderbird and Qualcomm's Eudora.
What is IMAP?
IMAP allows you to read emails by connecting directly to the email server. Any changes you make (delete, reply, forward, move) are seen by anyone else who logs into IMAP or Webmail. This is the perfect setup for anyone who needs to access their emails from multiple devices from anywhere at anytime. This is the most popular type of email setup.
What is POP3?
POP3 downloads your email messages to your local personal computer and delete those email hosting server copies whenever you download the emails. Any changes you make will NOT be seen by anyone else who accesses the email account (because you are only making changes to local copies). This is also a perfect solution for anyone who needs to archive permanent copies of their emails (e.g. before you terminate that email name or its hosting provider) to their local computer.
Conclusion
- IMAP is perfect for multiple users who need to access the same email account, or one user who needs to access emails from multiple locations.
- POP3 is perfect for quickly downloading emails and reading them offline or on the go (Remember: you do have to be online to reply to emails). POP3 is also a great way to save copies of your emails on your personal computer.
