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What is the difference between the IMAP and POP3 email protocols?

April 26, 2017difference email IMAP pop3 protocols

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What is the difference between the IMAP and POP3 email protocols?

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Although both protocols allow you to download email messages, IMAP provides an order of magnitude more options. For example, in POP3, only the Inbox exists. In IMAP, you can have multiple folders, and manage them. In POP3 you can only download the message, and delete it. In IMAP you can actually retrieve parts of the message, save drafts back to the server, search messages, and manipulate message properties.