What is an Email Client?

Email client refers to a computer program set to receive and send emails. An email client will download the messages from the server for local use and will upload them to the server for delivery. Receiving and sending an email via a server is made possible by using several email protocols.

There are multiple email clients available for use. Some of the well-known email clients are Microsoft Outlook, macOS Mail, Mozilla Thunderbird, IncrediMail, Mailbox, and iOS Mail. Gmail is the most popular web-based email client, with millions of users worldwide.

Email Client Usage

A lot of email clients share the same usage: for reading, receiving, sending, and storing email messages. Also, these applications provide an option to organize and label emails for them to be stored properly. For example, in Microsoft Outlook, you can set up rules which will allow you to move, flag, and respond to email messages automatically. On the other hand, Gmail lets you create labels for storing your emails accordingly.

Note that you can also send and receive file attachments while using an email client. A file can be stored directly on your local computer or just leave them sitting in the application.

Webmail vs. Email Client

Webmail and Email Clients provide the same usage and functionality. Their main difference is that the Webmail can be accessed through a web browser while the Email Clients are accessible through desktop or mobile programs/apps. Webmail does not download a copy of the emails since they are only viewed or accessed online compared to an Email Client where it is downloaded from the server.

Email Client Incoming Protocols (POP vs. IMAP)

POP (Post Office Protocol). This is a method that your email client can use to connect to our email server for retrieving messages. This connection type allows you to download messages from our email server onto your computer. When looking at your email via your email client, you're looking at your downloaded copies of those messages, not your original messages that still exist in your mailbox.

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol). This is a method that is most commonly preferred by users as it syncs messages across all devices, and it connects to our email server for retrieving messages. This connection type allows you to read messages from our email server without downloading the messages onto your computer. When looking at your email in your email client, you're looking at the original messages that exist inside of your mailbox.