In this article, we’ll look at the basic email systems (SMTP, POP, and IMAP). Each of these protocols has its own specific purposes and traits that make it an important part of email exchange. As we go through their meanings and differences, we’ll make it clear how they work together to help us manage email.

What is SMTP Protocol?

The full form of SMTP is a simple mail transfer protocol. It is an application layer protocol. SMTP is a TCP/ protocol used for sending and receiving mail. It is generally used in email clients like Gmail, Yahoo, and Apple Mail. It is a push protocol that is used to push the mail over the user’s mail server. It is text based protocol. This means that the communication between the client (sender’s email program) and the server (sender’s outgoing mail server or recipient’s incoming mail server) is carried out using plain text commands and responses.

What is the POP Protocol?

The full form of POP is post office protocol. It is used to pull the mail from the receiver’s mail server. It works on TCP port number 110. It is a simple protocol to download the email. we can read email after download only.

What is the IMAP Protocol?

IMAP stands for Internet message access protocol. It is like POP protocol. It is an advanced version of the POP protocol. It is also used to pull the mail from the receiver’s mail server. It works on the TCP port number 143.

Working of SMTP, POP and IMAP

Comparison Between SMTP vs POP vs IMAP

Terminologies Used in Comparison

Persistence connection

It will establish connection once and used it for multiple object. it does not make connection for each and every object.

Statefull and stateless

• if session information is store between client and server then it is called stateful connection.
• if session information is not store between client and server then it is called state-less connection.

In-band connection

information flow in only single direction between client and server. In other word we can say that it has only single line to transmit data.

Some more Important Comparisons Between IMAP and POP

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main difference between POP and IMAP ?

Main difference between POP and IMAP is how it handle the mail. POP download and remove the mail from server while IMAP keeps it on server.

2. What is the use of SMTP ?

It is used for sending emails. It is responsible for transferring outgoing email from sender’s email client to receiver’s mail server.

3. Can I used SMTP without using IMAP or POP

Yes, because SMTP is used for sending email i.e for push. it is not depend on POP or IMAP.