What is the difference between POP3 and IMAP?

IMAP ensures that e-mails remain available on the Scarlet e-mail server when you download them via your e-mail program. Unlike POP3, which deletes e-mails from the Scarlet e-mail servers after you have downloaded them via our e-mail program, unless the option 'leave a copy of messages on the server' is enabled.

Some pros and cons of using POP3 and IMAP:

• IMAP allows you to check your e-mails from any computer. To be able to do so with POP3, you need to enable the option 'Leave a copy of messages on the server'.
• With IMAP, you run the risk of having your mailbox reach its maximum capacity, meaning you won't be receiving any more e-mails. You will therefore have to delete e-mails on a regular basis. POP3 lets you keep as many e-mails as you want, because they are stored locally on your computer. If the option 'Leave a copy of messages on the server' for POP3 is enabled, your messages are saved on our server. It is advisable to specify the number of days that your messages are saved on our server to avoid your mailbox reaching its maximum capacity when you enable this option.
• IMAP allows you to save the (personal) file structure on each computer, while POP3 requires you to recreate the (personal) file structure on each computer.

POP3 and IMAP are active by default.