SharePoint vs. OneDrive- All that you want to know

The debate between SharePoint and OneDrive is not a new one. Most MS office 365 users are enthusiasts to introduce SharePoint in their work culture.

While most companies incline towards SharePoint for content management, some argue in favor of OneDrive. While most organizations are aware of SharePoint, most of them are not aware of its functionalities and productivities.

From a data management and security point of view, both SharePoint and OneDrive are great. However, but it isn’t easy to find what fits the best for their organizations.

So, in this article, we have enlisted the significant difference between SharePoint and OneDrive, hoping it would help you make the right decision.

SharePoint vs. OneDrive: Differences

Storage

Both SharePoint and OneDrive uses cloud-based storage. However, OneDrive acts as a personal storage unit while SharePoint is more about collaborative storage.

OneDrive is mainly used to store files that are personal and highly classified in nature. For example, it could be a document that is not yet ready to share with your coworkers. Although the documents in OneDrive are private, you can still share them by limiting their accessibility to a selected few.

SharePoint is collaborative cloud storage that allows you to store a document and share it with a group of coworkers. For instance, it could be a sketch or ppt file that requires the whole team’s contribution. When you store any file in the SharePoint intranet for office 365, you can permit many people to access it.

In summary, think of SharePoint as storage where you keep things for collaboration purposes and OneDrive as storage for one person.

Sharing

SharePoint is an excellent software that can be used as an intranet and extranet.

SharePoint intranet for office 365 allows you to share information with employees and staff within the organization securely. Tools, directories, services, and information on the intranet are unavailable to the general public.

An extranet is similar to an intranet, but it requires internet technology and a public telecommunication system to securely share specific business information with suppliers, partners, customers, and vendors.

You can create a company’s website with a SharePoint intranet with employee-only resources giving employees limited accessibilities. For example, you can create an HR page that is only accessible to HR personnel only.

Meanwhile, OneDrive is a cloud storage facility to store, manage and share personal files. It doesn’t have tools to create personal websites like SharePoint.

Features

OneDrive comes with two options- Personal and Business. Even though SharePoint powers it, it has limitations and benefits. Since OneDrive is created for personal use, it comes with added security for personal and business documents, along with limited sharing options.

The usage of SharePoint goes beyond features. It offers users a wide range of options to collaborate with other users. It also allows integration of tools like Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Planner, OneNote, Yammer, etc.

SharePoint also offers secured access to documents, files, media, library, custom landing pages, tasks, calendars, intranet social media, etc., allowing team members to view, communicate and share remotely without risking data breaches. With OneDrive, you can only share and access docs but with a limited number of functionalities.

Ownership

OneDrive offers centralized ownership. Meaning, no one can access or modify a document except the owner. However, an owner can share a file with anyone and provide rights to view, edit or share the file. In SharePoint, one can manage a document or date right from the site. Anyone who has permission to access the site can view, edit and share the file within the network.

Custom solution development

SharePoint intranet for office 365 provides custom solution development designed for a specific user or group with a company. This custom site developed is designed to address specific requirements instead of standard websites used by the masses. It provides a framework for a custom solution developed for integration and a combination of automated workflows, data insights, and tools to improve productivity. OneDrive, on the other hand, is a solution developed via the SharePoint framework.

Which one is best? SharePoint vs. OneDrive

The best software for your organization is the one that offers you security, productivity, and convenience. You can go for MS 365 that offers both OneDrive and SharePoint with cloud storage. Even if you are among those companies that don’t trust cloud servers, SharePoint is the right solution for you. It allows you to build on-premise content management or intranet platforms where employees can collaborate and communicate with other employees within the same network. In this regard, if you need an expert to take care of your custom intranet requirement with ease, consider Hello Intranet as your ideal bet for sure. They have been helping clients in the same for last two decades.