When configuring your custom domain email address (such as [email protected]) in email clients like Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird, or your smartphone, you will be prompted to choose an incoming mail protocol: IMAP or POP3.
Choosing the right protocol determines how your emails are stored, synced across your devices, and managed on your Cubes Hosting server.
1. What is IMAP? (Internet Message Access Protocol)
IMAP is the modern standard for email synchronization. Instead of downloading emails to a single device, IMAP keeps your emails stored safely on the Cubes email server while syncing changes in real-time across all your devices.
How IMAP Works:
When you open an email on your phone, laptop, or webmail, IMAP reads the email directly from the server. If you mark an email as read, flag it, move it to a folder, or delete it, those changes immediately sync across your phone, computer, and webmail interface!
Pros of IMAP:
- Multi-Device Sync: Perfect for checking email on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and webmail simultaneously.
- Centralized Storage & Backup: If your laptop breaks or gets lost, your emails remain safely stored on your Cubes Hosting server.
- Sent & Draft Folders Sync: Sent items and drafts are available on every device.
Cons of IMAP:
- Requires ongoing server storage space (managed within your Cubes Web & Email Hosting plan quota).
2. What is POP3? (Post Office Protocol 3)
POP3 is an older email protocol designed when internet connections were slow and server storage was expensive. POP3 downloads emails from the server to your local device and usually deletes them from the server afterwards.
How POP3 Works:
When your email client connects via POP3, it downloads all new inbox messages to your computer's hard drive and removes them from the mail server. Once downloaded, emails are stored locally on that specific computer.
Pros of POP3:
- Frees Up Server Space: Since emails are deleted from the server upon download, it consumes minimal server disk quota.
- Offline Reading: Downloaded emails can be read offline without an active internet connection.
Cons of POP3:
- No Multi-Device Sync: If you download an email on your desktop via POP3, it will not appear on your phone or Webmail interface.
- Local Data Risk: If your computer hard drive fails, all downloaded emails are lost unless you maintain local computer backups.
IMAP vs. POP3 Comparison Matrix
| Feature | IMAP (Recommended) | POP3 |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Device Support | ✅ Full real-time sync across phone, PC, and Webmail | ❌ Single device only (no sync) |
| Server Storage | Uses server disk space | Clears server disk space |
| Folder & Sent Items Sync | ✅ Sent, Drafts, and Folders sync on all devices | ❌ Sent items stay on local PC only |
| Offline Access | Caches recent headers (full email requires connection) | ✅ Full offline access to downloaded emails |
| Data Safety | ✅ Backed up automatically on Cubes server | ⚠️ Dependent on local computer backups |
Which Protocol Should You Choose?
- Use IMAP if: You check email on more than one device (e.g. iPhone + Laptop), use Cubes Webmail (Roundcube), or want automatic server backups of your inbox. (99% of users should choose IMAP).
- Use POP3 if: You access email exclusively on a single desktop computer, have limited server disk space, and perform your own local backups.
Cubes Hosting Email Server Settings
When configuring your email client (via IMAP or POP3), use the following secure settings provided in your DirectAdmin panel:
- Incoming Server (IMAP):
mail.yourdomain.com| Port 993 (SSL/TLS) - Incoming Server (POP3):
mail.yourdomain.com| Port 995 (SSL/TLS) - Outgoing Server (SMTP):
mail.yourdomain.com| Port 465 (SSL/TLS) or Port 587 (STARTTLS) - Authentication: Full Email Address (
[email protected]) and Email Password.
Conclusion
For modern email management across smartphones, desktops, and webmail, IMAP is the clear choice. Configure your email client using IMAP on SSL Port 993, and enjoy seamless, synced email communication across all your devices!