Toggle navigation Home Store Browse All ----- Webhosting Domains Quotation (Webdesign Services) eMail Hosting SEO- Search Engine Optimisation GRAPHIC DESIGN Dedicated/ VPS Webhosting BULKSMS Mobi Applications Website Maintenance Register a New Domain Transfer Domains to Us Announcements Knowledgebase Network Status Affiliates Contact Us Account Login Register ----- Forgot Password? Categories 9 CGI Scripts 34 Databases 28 Dedicated Servers 1 DNS 15 Domains 5 eCommerce 79 eMails 27 FTP 1 General Issues 1 MX Records 1 Nameservers 28 Other 104 Scripting 254 Web Hosting Control Panel 9 Web Resources 8 Web Stats & Logs 11 Web Tools 8 Website Help and Diagnostics 4 Windows Hosting Categories CGI Scripts (9) Databases (34) Dedicated Servers (28) DNS (1) Domains (15) eCommerce (5) eMails (79) FTP (27) General Issues (1) MX Records (1) Nameservers (1) Other (28) Scripting (104) Web Hosting Control Panel (254) Web Resources (9) Web Stats & Logs (8) Web Tools (11) Website Help and Diagnostics (8) Windows Hosting (4) [EML4.09] What is the difference between POP3 and IMAP4 mail? You may have noticed that with your desktop client, and our webmail facility, you are given the option of accessing your mail through POP3 or IMAP4. These are two different protocols. On your desktop client, POP3 is downloaded directly from the mail server onto your computer. Your computer will store a "local copy" of the mail, and usually delete it from the server. You can create local folders on your computer to organise the mail, but you won't see these or your mail if you logged in using webmail. Additionally, if you create folders to organise your mail in webmail, you won't be able to access these on your desktop client. Mail will therefore only contribute towards the mailbox limits while it is left undownloaded in the inbox. IMAP4, in contrast, is left on the server (where it will continue contributing towards your mailbox limit). If you create folders/organise your mail in your desktop client, you will see this update when you log in with the webmail client (and vice-versa). Similarily, when you mark a message as "read" in webmail, it will appear "read" in your desktop client. If you're accessing your mail on several different computers, IMAP can therefore be useful. However, if you expect to receive high volumes of mail, or want to be able to access your mail offline, POP is the better option, as it will be downloaded and stay on your local computer. Was this answer helpful? Yes No Print this Article Also Read [EML4.25] Why are whitelisted email addresses appearing as spam? If you have setup your spam settings to change the subject of emails detected as spam to be:... [EML1.06] How do I create eMail Mailing Lists Email mailing lists allow you to send a single email to a group of people. Your customers can... [EML3.02] Can I set up push email on my mobile device with Heart? As today the 21st of January 2010, this feature is not available on our mail servers, however,... [EML1.04] How to setup an eMail Filter Logs Email Filter Logs allows you to send logs of your (junk mail) email filter activity, once a... [EML2.19] Why does my email bounce with 550 relay not permitted? This usually happens because the nameservers on the affected domain have been changed to make the... Support My Support Tickets Announcements Knowledgebase Downloads Network Status Open Ticket × Close Title Loading...