HTTP vs. POP vs. IMAP vs. Exchange
HTTP
- Web-based email
- Not made for access other than the web
- Some HTTP accounts can be checked given the right client tool (like Outlook can check Hotmail)
POP
- Not made for keeping multiple computers/devices and web in sync
- Generally, mail is downloaded from the server upon checking it (unless you use a tool like Outlook which has the ability to leave it on the server)
- Even if you leave messages on the server, if you delete on remote device, it will not delete on the server (unless you have a client tool like Outlook which will give you some options)
- If you send from remote device, it is not pushed to a sent items folders on the server
- Only brings messages down in the Inbox (not sub-folders)
- No good push capability for mobile devices (as of this writing)
- POP is low cost
- Most personal email accounts use POP (i.e. Gmail)
IMAP
- Keeps multiple computers/devices and web in sync
- Mail is left on the server when checked
- Inbox and sub-folders are brought down to client machine/device
- Push mail available on mobile devices, but many complain of poor support
- Newer than POP
- Catching on among personal users who do not have Exchange
Exchange
- The most robust email platform
- Mail is kept on the server
- Allows calendar, tasks, notes, etc. in addition to email
- Allows group collaboration of calendars, etc. when used in a group environment
- Excellent about keeping everything (PCs/mobile devices/web) in sync
- Push email for mobile devices (Blackberry and non-Blackberry with Exchange ActiveSync)
- Pretty much the standard for medium size and enterprise email/collaboration
- Expensive
- Gaining popularity among small businesses and personal users as it becomes more affordable
…maybe, one day, I’ll turn this into a more complete chart of features to allow for generic comparison. But I will note, that there is a different connotation, a different aura that doesn’t fit into a particular feature list about each of these. For now, I will suggest that you should use Exchange since you are a blog reader of mine and are therefore technically-savvy, business-savvy, and/or someone who copies what I do since I know what I’m doing.
You have compared the features of an email server product to three protocols. Perhaps a better comparison could have been HTTP (Webmail) vs. POP vs. IMAP vs. Exchange’s email protocol. If this were the comparison made, though, the issue of client support would need to be addressed.
Microsoft Exchange Server can be POP and/or IMAP and/or HTTP depending on its configuration. Perhaps a better comparison could have been Exchange vs. Sendmail vs. Postfix vs. Eudora (yep… they have a server product, too
). If this were the comparison made, though, the issue of cost would need to be addressed.
As a protocol on it’s own, Exchange lacks support by most email clients. However, Exchange cannot be considered as a protocol on its own. As a server product, Exchange stands far above its competitors in terms of features.
There are a couple of drawbacks of Exchange that might hold more weight with Small-to-Medium Business owners and users than any of the features…
First, the cost of the product: currently $699 plus $67 per client (ref: http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/howtobuy/default.mspx#E3D). This, in itself, would eliminate Exchange as an option for many small businesses.
Second, use of Microsoft Exchange Server nearly eliminates any choice of email client other than Microsoft Outlook. This, by itself, is important enough that I would not consider using the product for myself or recommending it to others.
– Ghodmode
Comment by Ghodmode — February 27, 2007 @ 2:08 pm
Thanks for your comments.
“You have compared the features of an email server product to three protocols.”
In fact, this is a comparison of the options that people have when they go out in search of personal and/or business email.
For the next two paragraphs, I decided to leave out details like these which I think can confuse the reader and won’t effect their decision.
As for the drawbacks you outline, 1) yes, Exchange is the most expensive (but becoming more affordable) and 2) if someone doesn’t want Outlook (most people do), then Outlook Web Access (OWA) is more than sufficient to check, send, and receive email along with managing collaboration features like meetings, notes, tasks, public folders, etc.
Note: I wrote this up as I have been helping a business user who was accustomed to a highly sophisticated Exchange and Blackberry set-up that was moving to a personal solution and having trouble figuring out how to accomplish his needs in an affordable manner.
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