University of
ConnecticutExchange e-mail client comparison
Each client offers you different options and functionality's. It is important that you choose a client that meets your needs. The tables below will give you an idea of what you can expect from the different clients.
If you still need help selecting a client, click here.
Windows Exchange Clients
| Outlook 2003/2007 | Outlook Web Access | IMAP clients | |
| Send/Receive Email | Y | Y | Y |
| Send/Receive Calendar Invitations | Y | Y | N |
| Use Global Address List | Y | Y | Y |
| Public Folder Access | Y | Y | Y* |
| Server-based contacts | Y | Y | N |
| Auto-Archiving | Y | N | N |
| Group Calendar | Y | Y | N |
| Recover Deleted Items | Y | Y | N |
| Work Offline | Y | N | Y |
Macintosh Exchange Clients
| Entourage X | Outlook Web Access | IMAP clients | |
| Send/Receive Email | Y | Y | Y |
| Send/Receive Calendar Invitations | Y | Y | N |
| Use Global Address List | Y | Y | Y |
| Public Folder Access | Y | Y | Y* |
| Server-based contacts | Y | Y | N |
| Auto-Archiving | N | N | N |
| Group Calendar | N | Y | N |
| Recover Deleted Items | N | Y | N |
| Work Offline | Y | N | Y |
Linux Exchange Clients
| Evolution with Connector | Outlook Web Access | IMAP clients | |
| Send/Receive Email | Y | Y | Y |
| Send/Receive Calendar Invitations | Y | Y | N |
| Use Global Address List | Y | Y | Y |
| Public Folder Access | Y | Y | Y* |
| Server-based contacts | Y | Y | N |
| Auto-Archiving | N | N | N |
| Group Calendar | N | Y | N |
| Recover Deleted Items | N | Y | N |
| Work Offline | Y | N | Y |
* Most IMAP clients will be able to read and post data to public folders, however, there may be some which do not include this functionality
IMAP
The IMAP protocol, by default, allows the user to keep all messages on the server. It constantly synchronizes the e-mail program with the server and displays what messages are currently present. All the actions performed on the messages (reading, moving, deleting...) will be done directly on the server.
Because everything is kept on the server the user will be able to access the e-mail account from any computer in the world connected to the Internet and can will always find the same settings in their e-mail account.
The problem may occur when the limited amount of free space on the server is filled up with the messages. It is necessary to keep track of the free space and regularly delete unnecessary e-mail messages.
POP
The POP protocol, by default, is set to download all the messages from the e-mail server onto your computer. This means that all the actions performed on the messages (reading, moving, deleting...) will be performed on one's computer.
Because everything is kept on the users computer, the user will not be able to reopen messages from any location other than the computer where the messages have been downloaded.
Advantage: The user is not limited by the amount of free space. The limitation is the size of the hard drive on the personal computer.
Disadvantage: Once e-mail is downloaded it can be accessed only using the same computer.
Also there is an option to setup the POP protocol to save the copy of the messages on the server after downloading them on the computer. For more information look in the documentation for setting up the e-mail client.
Updated: 12/13/2006