The difference between the POP3 and IMAP

What is the difference between IMAP, POP3 ?
POP3 and IMAP are protocols receive e-mail messages by e-mail programs, the easiest way to put it 2 different ways to receive e-mails.

POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) It can be used in operation “offline” i.e.. that is able to read saved messages and preparing response at a time when the computer is not connected to the Internet. The possibility of such work is possible thanks, that when combined with all unread mail server correspondence is sent from the server to your computer. Received messages are then left depending on the settings or deleted from the server. Connecting to the Internet is required only if you later wanted to send a message, or check whether you receive new e-mails.

Unfortunately, POP3 also has significant drawbacks. It is difficult to operate the mailbox from multiple computers. This is because, that if you read mail is deleted from the server, it on each computer will be only part of the correspondence, read a list of such. on your home computer will not be visible on your computer at work. However, if you change the default settings and read messages will remain on the server, This can quickly lead to overflow capacity mailbox.

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) It works this way, that your mail is still stored on the server, and your computer are stored only message headers (part of an e-mail). Your message will appear on your computer only after the opening of the letter. You can delete and filter messages without downloading them to your computer, so you can easily work on multiple computers because each will see the same content box, you see the same thing at home, work or an Internet cafe.

IMAP The disadvantage is, however, the need to maintain a constant connection to the Internet when handling mail at nowadays should not constitute any cost because most people have a broadband Internet connection.

In brief: POP3 – E-mails kept only on your computer and it can be read
IMAP – E-mails kept on the server and can be read from any computer