Push vs Fetch Email – Which One is Better?

Emails have transformed communication in official settings. With the advent of smartphones, accessing them has become more convenient. However, devices receive emails in two distinct ways: push and fetch. In this article, we will gain a deeper understanding of push vs fetch emails, and provide examples to help you understand which is better.

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Push vs Fetch Email – Which One is Better?

All email services do not work the same way when it comes to delivering new messages to your inbox. An email notification has two main methods: push and fetch. Let’s further compare and contrast the benefits and drawbacks of these two to explain how they affect your email experience. Ultimately, you’ll get an idea about which is better.

1. Push Email

Push email is a technology in which emails are automatically delivered in real-time to your device. As a result, there is no delay in delivery and an email is received immediately on the respective device. Server-side email application facilitates this technology by sending an instant notification to your device informing you of an email arrival. You won’t have to manually check your inbox repeatedly. Emails are received faster.

2. Fetch Email

Fetch Email is a technique that allows the device to check the email server periodically to see if there are any updates or messages. You might not receive emails in real time but at set intervals. New emails are detected and downloaded to your device, where they must be read in your email application. The good side is that the device is less vulnerable to hacking since it is not always connected to the internet.

What is the Difference Between Push and Fetch Email?

Both methods of receiving emails are used in various sectors. However, there are comparable differences between them on the basis of time consumption, vulnerability and risk factors, battery life, and convenience which we will study in this table.

Push Email	Fetch Email
Push email is a type of email communication that sends the email to the device as soon as it arrives on the server.	Fetch email is an email communication method that requires the email client to periodically check the server for new messages.
It is constantly running and updating the device, push email consumes more battery life and data.	Fetch email, uses fewer resources and can be set to check for new messages at predefined intervals.
Fetch email is primarily used for less time-sensitive messages.	Push email is used for real-time communication and critical updates.
Fetch email is better suited for desktop devices and personal email.	Push email is better suited for mobile devices and is commonly used for business communication.
Push email is an always-on service that notifies the user of new email arrivals.	Fetch email requires the user to manually check for new messages.
Fetch email can work offline after the messages have been downloaded.	Push email requires an active internet connection to function.
Push email is more secure and reliable than Fetch email, as it utilizes a direct connection between the server and the device.	Fetch email is less secure, and messages can be intercepted during transmission.

Also Read: 18 Best Free Anonymous Email Providers

Push or Fetch – Which is Better for Battery?

In today’s fast-paced world, email has become an essential communication tool for both personal and business use. Mobile devices are so widely used, choosing the best email communication method is critical for preserving battery life.

Push Email: The server sends emails to the device as soon as they arrive. So, the device maintains a constant connection with the server. This is known as an always-on service, and it can drain the battery faster than other modes of communication. Receiving a large number of emails may also have an effect on battery life.

It is a push email when an email service, such as Gmail or Outlook, sends a notification to a user’s mobile device upon receiving an email. The user is not required to open the email application or manually refresh the inbox as the notification appears on their device immediately.

Fetch Email: The device is not always connected to the server. The client checks for new messages at predefined intervals, such as every 15 minutes, hourly, or daily. This method uses fewer resources than push mail and conserves battery life.

It can also be inconvenient because you must manually check your email inbox to see if you have received any new emails. Even though, push mail provides a better user communication experience, fetch mail outperforms push mail in terms of battery life.

Also Read: 7 Best Battery Saver Apps for Android with Ratings

Is it Better to Push or Fetch Email?

Individual preferences and the nature of the work dictate whether to use push or fetch email. Another thing to consider is the type of email account you’re using.

Push Email

It is the best option if you need immediate access to their emails.
For stock market traders, sports journalists, and people who depend on time-sensitive information, this form of email eliminates the need to frequently check your email inbox.
Push email is the better option if you have an IMAP email account. IMAP emails are stored on the email server and your device only downloads a copy of the email.

Fetch Email

It can be convenient for those who have limited data plans and can afford to check emails at their own convenience.
If you have a POP3 account, fetch email may be the better option. POP3 emails are downloaded to your device and then deleted from the email server.
If you want to receive emails in real-time, you must keep your device connected to the internet at all times.

A hybrid email system is an ideal middle ground between push and fetch emails. Depending on the nature of the email accounts, this setup involves using both email methods. For example, for work accounts that require real-time updates, you could use push email and fetch email for other accounts. This solution ensures battery life conservation while still receiving critical emails immediately.

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We discussed both the favorable and unfavorable sides of push vs fetch email, and it entirely depends upon your requirements and preference for which one to choose between the two. Although, if you are confused, you can also choose a hybrid email. Thank you for reading. We hope this article was helpful to you. For further tech-related comparisons and queries, stay connected to Techcult. Drop your suggestions in the comments below.