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PSP, Inc. is now offering IMAP as an alternative to POP. When choosing between POP vs. IMAP you will need to take into account what you need out of your Email services. Sign up today for PSP, Inc.'s upgrade today

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POP vs IMAP Comparison

  • GoodGood
  • FairFair
  • PoorPoor
FUNCTION POP IMAP
Accessibility Fair Messages are transferred from the server to the local machine. Only new messages are available if you connect to the server using a PC other than your normal one. Good Incoming messages stay on the server when you check your mail. Messages are always available no matter where or how you connect to the server.
Speed Good You can view your emails even if you are not connected to the internet. Fair The more e-mail you have, the slower it takes to synchronize.
Security Fair Local copies of messages are vulnerable to data loss or security threats. Good Because mail is stored on the server, it is harder for unauthorized users to access mail.
Space on local drive Fair Mail can fill up your local drive. Good Mail is stored on the server.
Data migration (PC to PC) Fair There are steps to take to carefully migrate. Good Migration to a new PC is fast and easy. All e-mails are taken from the server and not locally.
Data migration (PC to Mac) Fair Good
Safe from losing data Fair If mail is accidently deleted from your local computer, it is gone forever. (Unless saved on the server) Good Servers will always have your mail unless it is confirmed for deletion.
Organized Fair Creating mailboxes can only be done on your local machine. Good You can create mailboxes directly on the server.
Inbox size limit Good As long as there is space on the disk, there should be no limit. Good As long as there is space on the disk, there should be no limit.
Backups Good Backups can easily be made from your local machine. Good Backups can be made with access to the server.
Maintenance Good POP is a simple mail protocol that is easy to maintain. Fair IMAP is a slightly more complex and advanced to maintain.
COMMON TASKS
Transfer mail from PC to Server and vice versa Poor You cannot transfer any messages from your local machine to the server. Good You can move messages from your local machine to the server, and vice versa.
Move messages in and out of mailboxes. Fair You can move messages in and out of mailboxes only on your local machine. Good You can move messages in and out of mailboxes on the server and on your local machine.
COMPATIABLE CLIENTS
Office Outlook 2003, 2007, 2010 Good Good
Windows Live Mail 2009, 2011 Good Good
Thunderbird 3.1.x Good Good
iPhone 3.0, 4.0 Good Good
Android 2.x Fair Good
Windows Phone 6.5.x, 7 Good Good
FEATURES
Anti-virus Good Good
Anti-spam Good Good
Spam box Good Good
Web admin Good Good
  • GoodGood
  • FairFair
  • PoorPoor