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In today’s digital world, a document management solution is a must-have for organizations. With businesses producing thousands of documents every day, it becomes important for organizations to have software that creates, manages, stores, and shares files across the enterprise. Additionally, business teams can easily access and collaborate on documents anytime, anywhere, from any device.
Microsoft SharePoint and Google Drive are the two most popular and commonly used content and document management systems. Both these applications are used by millions of users worldwide and are the best options for organizations looking forward to maximizing their cloud collaboration facilities.
Undoubtedly, SharePoint and Google Drive have their own unique features, advantages, and disadvantages. But the question here is, if your organization needs to choose one, what is the best choice? So, in this article, we will provide an overview of each platform and discuss the significant differences between SharePoint and Google Drive.
What is SharePoint?
SharePoint is a part of the Microsoft 365 business suite. It’s a cloud-based document management and storage system which allow users to easily collaborate and edit documents in real time. It is also used to create internal business portals, workflows, and content management or collaboration sites.
What is Google Drive?
It is a cloud-based file storage and collaboration service that allows users to create, store, upload, edit, and access files using applications like Google Docs, Google Slides, or Google Sheets. Its primary purpose is to centralize the information and make it accessible for teams so that they can easily collaborate in real time on all devices from anywhere.
Comparison between SharePoint and Google Drive
Both Google Drive and SharePoint provide a single location to store and edit documents for your company. Here, let’s compare SharePoint and Google Drive to find out which is best for your organization as per business needs.
Cost and Storage
Both SharePoint and Google Drive offer multiple business and enterprise plans. The most basic plan of SharePoint starts at $5 per user/month and $10 per user/month for a more advanced plan. But if you already have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you have access to SharePoint at no additional cost. You can also purchase Microsoft 365 Business or Enterprise plans for more tools and better storage.
In a personal Google Drive account, you get 15GB of free storage. If a business requires more storage, it can purchase a Google Workspace plan starting at $6 per user/month. However, this price increases as you add additional features and storage.
When we compare both, SharePoint is more expensive than Google Drive with a Microsoft 365 subscription, but it has additional features and tools for business teams.
| Cloud | Plan | Price/User/Month | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| SharePoint Online(Microsoft 365) | Business Basic | $6.00 | 1 TB |
| Business Standard | $12.50 | 1 TB | |
| Business Premium | $22.00 | 1 TB | |
| Microsoft 365 F3 | $8.00 | 1 TB | |
| Microsoft 365 E3 | $36.00 | 1 TB | |
| Microsoft 365 E5 | $57.00 | 1 TB | |
| Google Drive (Google Workspace) | Business Starter | $6.00 | 30 GB |
| Business Standard | $12.00 | 2 TB | |
| Business Plus | $18.00 | 5 TB | |
| Enterprise | Customize Quote | Scalable |
Note – Initially, Microsoft provided 1TB/User storage for OneDrive for Business which can increase to 5TB/user by contacting Microsoft Support.
Applications
SharePoint and Google Drive are part of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, respectively. It provides teams access to additional apps to promote productivity and collaboration.
With Google Drive, businesses get access to other Google apps like Gmail, Meet, Chat, Docs, Calendars, and more. These apps help businesses in document creation, collaboration, and meetings.
Similarly, SharePoint features several powerful features that allow users to do more than store and manage documents. It seamlessly integrates with Microsoft apps like OneDrive, Exchange, Excel, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more.
Both these platforms also have options to integrate third-party apps from their respective marketplaces.
File Sharing
Google Drive offers an easy way to share files and folders through direct sharing and shareable links. Even users can edit the permission level before sharing the content. Similarly, SharePoint allows users to share files and folders through shareable links and direct permission sharing.
Security
Microsoft and Google have the most secure data centers in the world. Both SharePoint and Google Drive protect data at rest and in transit with encryption. Microsoft SharePoint offers enterprise-level security, ensuring businesses effectively protect data from outside cyber threats. The improved and advanced security features of SharePoint, like encrypted connections, SMTP ports, SMTP encryptions, and more, provide business teams with more flexibility and control over users.
On the other hand, Google also provides adequate security. However, SharePoint holds a significant advantage over Google Drive in terms of security.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, both SharePoint and Google Drive are the best apps for sharing and collaboration. But, as we discussed in the blog, Google Drive is more attractive because of low pricing, but SharePoint offers advanced and better security options. Overall, Google Drive is the best option for SMBs, who want to enhance cloud collaboration without spending more. Whereas SharePoint best suits enterprises and SMBs, who want extensive collaboration and security.
If security and better collaboration are essential, we suggest you go with SharePoint Online. It is better equipped for document management, collaboration, and organization with advanced security features. To migrate data to SharePoint, we have an easy-to-use tool named Kernel Migration for SharePoint Tool which quickly migrates your files/folders from local and remote servers to SharePoint. To learn more about the tool, Download SharePoint migration tool free demo version.