IMAP vs OAuth: Which Email Connection Is Right for You?

You're setting up AutoPrintEmail. You get to the email connection screen.

IMAP or OAuth?

Both work. Both are secure. But they're different — and the right choice depends on your setup.

Table of Contents

• The Quick Answer
• What's IMAP?
• What's OAuth?
• IMAP vs OAuth: The Differences
• When to Use OAuth
• When to Use IMAP
• Security: Are Both Safe?
• TL;DR

The Quick Answer

• Use OAuth if you have Gmail or Outlook
• Use IMAP if you have a custom domain, self-hosted email, or your provider doesn't support OAuth

OAuth is newer and doesn't require a password. IMAP is universal and works with everything.

What's IMAP?

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is how email clients have connected to servers since 1986.

You provide:

• Server address (e.g., imap.gmail.com)
• Username (usually your email)
• Password or app-specific password

AutoPrintEmail connects directly to your mail server and watches for new messages.

Pros:

• Works with any email provider
• No third-party authorization required
• Full control over the connection

Cons:

• Requires storing a password (or app password)
• Some providers are disabling basic IMAP access
• Slightly more setup

What's OAuth?

OAuth is a newer authorization standard. Instead of giving AutoPrintEmail your password, you authorize it through your email provider.

You:

1. Click "Connect with Gmail" (or Outlook)
2. Sign into your email account
3. Grant AutoPrintEmail permission to read emails
4. Done

AutoPrintEmail never sees your password. It receives a token that only allows email reading.

Pros:

• No password stored anywhere
• Revoke access anytime from your Google/Microsoft account
• Easier setup for supported providers

Cons:

• Only works with providers that support OAuth
• Token can expire (AutoPrintEmail handles refresh automatically)

IMAP vs OAuth: The Differences

When to Use OAuth

Use OAuth if:

• You have Gmail (Google Workspace or personal)
• You have Outlook (Microsoft 365 or personal)
• You want the simplest setup
• Your organization requires no password storage

Our Gmail integration and Outlook integration both support OAuth. It's what we recommend for most users.

When to Use IMAP

Use IMAP if:

• You have a custom domain email (e.g., orders@yourbusiness.com)
• Your email is hosted on cPanel, Plesk, or similar
• You use a provider that doesn't support OAuth (Zoho, ProtonMail, etc.)
• You self-host your email (Postfix, Dovecot, etc.)
• Your IT department prefers direct IMAP connections

IMAP is the universal fallback. If OAuth doesn't work, IMAP will.

Security: Are Both Safe?

Yes. Both connection methods are secure when used correctly.

OAuth security:

• No password stored
• Uses encrypted tokens
• You control access from your Google/Microsoft account
• AutoPrintEmail only requests read access (can't send or delete)

IMAP security:

• Connection is encrypted (TLS/SSL)
• Use an app-specific password instead of your main password
• Password is stored locally on your machine, never in the cloud
• AutoPrintEmail runs on YOUR computer — data doesn't leave your network

We wrote about this in detail: AutoPrintEmail is a desktop app, not a cloud service. Your emails are processed locally. Nothing is stored on our servers.

TL;DR

OAuth = No password, click to authorize, works with Gmail/Outlook IMAP = Universal, works with everything, requires password/app password

🖨️ → Try AutoPrintEmail Free

Just $99 for lifetime access. Both OAuth and IMAP are included — use whatever works for your setup.

Connect your email the way that works for you.

AutoPrintEmail handles the rest.