In this article, you'll learn the differences between POP3, IMAP, and SMTP. These protocols are essential when configuring a new email account on any device, ensuring your incoming and outgoing mail works correctly.
What is POP3? (Protocol to RECEIVE email messages)
POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) is used to receive email messages from a remote server to a local device (computer, mobile phone, or tablet). While it has become less popular due to IMAP, some prefer POP3 because it stores emails on your device, reducing server space usage.
Note: Emails stored with POP3 are only accessible on the device that downloaded them. For this reason, we recommend using IMAP if you access emails from multiple devices.
Default POP3 Ports:
- Port 110 (non-secure) - default port
- Port 995 (secure) - for secure POP3 connections
What is IMAP? (Protocol to RECEIVE email messages)
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) allows you to access email messages from a mail server on multiple devices. Emails remain on the server, letting you read them on any configured device.
Example: Reading emails on Outlook (computer), Apple Mail (iPhone), and Gmail (tablet) simultaneously.
Default IMAP Ports:
- Port 143 (non-secure) - default port
- Port 993 (secure - SSL) - for secure IMAP connections
What is SMTP? (Protocol to SEND email messages)
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used to send email messages securely. You may also see it referred to as SMTP Authentication.
Note: Use your server's hostname for SMTP settings (e.g., s1.epichoster.com) instead of mail.yourdomain.com, especially if your domain lacks an SSL certificate. Your server's hostname can be found in the Welcome email from EpicHoster.
Default SMTP Ports:
- Port 25 (non-secure) - default port (often blocked by ISPs)
- Port 26 (non-secure) - alternative if Port 25 is blocked
- Port 465 (secure - SSL) - for secure SMTP over SSL
- Port 587 (secure - TLS) - for secure SMTP over TLS
We hope this article clarifies the differences between POP3 (to receive email), IMAP (to receive email), and SMTP (to send email). Please contact support if you have difficulty configuring your email client.
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