SMTP

• Simple Mail Transfer Protocol

• Email sending and transmission

POP

• Post Office Protocol

• Email reception and download

• Basic Operation: Downloads emails from the server to the client and stores them locally.

  Server Interaction: By default, emails are deleted from the server after being downloaded. This means emails are not accessible from other devices once downloaded.

  Advantages:

  • Emails are stored locally, allowing access even when offline.

  • Saves server space.

Disadvantages:

• Difficult to synchronize emails across multiple devices.

• No email backup on the server, making recovery difficult if local emails are lost.

IMAP

• Internet Message Access Protocol

• Email reception, supports multi-device access

• Basic Operation: Keeps emails on the server, allowing the client to read and manage them.

  Server Interaction: Emails remain on the server, enabling access and synchronization across multiple devices. The client retrieves a copy of the email and maintains synchronization with the server.

  Advantages:

  • Allows email synchronization across multiple devices.

  • Emails are backed up on the server.

  • Easy to organize and manage emails using folders and labels.

Disadvantages:

• Requires server space to store emails.

• Difficult to access server-stored emails when offline.