SharePoint vs OneDrive: Which One is Right for You?

SharePoint vs OneDrive: Which One is Right for You?

Businesses want to budget and choose the best content management system, and more information can help them refine their decision.

We often get asked what are the key differences of SharePoint vs OneDrive. This question arises as people learn about some of the key features of OneDrive relative to SharePoint. Those features can, and are, enticing, but you need to fully understand what OneDrive is compared to SharePoint before diving head first.

Comparing OneDrive And SharePoint

A few managers may ask, “Is SharePoint the same as OneDrive?” We can say no. These two systems for project management come from different companies. Both can use cloud storage and protect personal files, but OneDrive and SharePoint differ.

What Is SharePoint?

SharePoint is an online file management application that allows business teams to share documents safely. It is so much more than just managing files, but when people ask to compare the two, they are looking at the file management components of it rather than everything the SharePoint site will offer.

SharePoint has many more document features than OneDrive if you compare SharePoint Online to OneDrive in a file explorer view. We recommend it as a potential cloud-based storage option and collaboration tool. SharePoint can provide the following benefits:

• Control security
• Show additional fields
• Create different views with those fields
• Add business automation
• Show version history
• Allow check in / check out

What Is Microsoft OneDrive?

OneDrive has multiple parts to its definition. Some may know it as a Microsoft cloud storage solution. OneDrive has many components to handle personal storage and file sharing. They include the following features:

• A web browser of files AND
• A file explorer view of files AND
• A way for people to store personal information that only they can see AND
• A way to sync to company information AND
• A way to link to company information

It’s a lot if you take each of the above components and what that means for a business. OneDrive browser vs. file explorer is significantly different in terms of features. OneDrive browser is very close to SharePoint but still needs some parts, especially displaying and using qualitative information.

OneDrive file explorer has significantly fewer features than the browser version of SharePoint or OneDrive. Still, it does give the user a file explorer variation of their files and, most importantly, can allow offline synchronization of files. There are some significant caveats with the file explorer version:

1. Per Microsoft, you can only have 300,000 files and folders before performance degrades. This amount is the total limit; it does not matter if files are in different folders, libraries, or sites. 300,000 is for all of OneDrive. We have seen some people need better performance with more or less than 300,000 files.
2. You get a new set of icons to learn in the file explorer version with some complex meanings. Think again if users expect the same experience as a network drive file explorer vs. a OneDrive file explorer. See the OneDrive icon list and definitions here.

SharePoint vs. OneDrive Feature Comparison

There is a lot to consider when comparing SharePoint to OneDrive. The below graphic will help you determine which one is the best fit for your business needs.

Manage File Sharing Software And Confidentiality With ESW Associates

ESW Associates is a company that has worked with both SharePoint and Microsoft options, sometimes offering migration between the services. Our team can help you supersede training videos and tutorials for different devices. We can help you strategize a plan for creating collaborative solutions.

ESW Associates care about how multiple users safely handle business and customer data. Whether you choose SharePoint or OneDrive, ESW can help design an online plan that harnesses the ideal platform for you while protecting company data. Reach out to us today to learn more about managing these two platforms with real-time collaboration.

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