SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used for sending emails from a client to a server or between servers. POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) is used for retrieving emails from a server to a client. SMTP handles outgoing mail, while POP3 handles incoming mail.
SMTP and POP3 differ in their primary functions and use cases. SMTP is responsible for the transmission of email messages from the sender to the recipient’s mail server. POP3 is responsible for downloading emails from the recipient’s mail server to their local device, often removing the emails from the server in the process.
SMTP and POP3 standards define protocols for email communication. SMTP is the standard protocol for sending emails across the internet, ensuring that messages are correctly routed from the sender to the recipient’s server. POP3 is the standard protocol for retrieving emails from a mail server, allowing users to download their messages to a local device for offline access.