Cloud-based storage solutions have evolved to solve and serve all the needs and demands of an individual. They are powerful tools and offer key features. They can work within a connected network and increase work efficiency. The two most common cloud-based storage solutions are SharePoint and OneDrive.
SharePoint vs OneDrive
The main difference between SharePoint and OneDrive is that SharePoint is a workspace to create and share content across organizations while OneDrive is a cloud storage service that synchronizes and stores files in one place securely. SharePoint was launched in the year 2001 while OneDrive was launched in the year 2007.
SharePoint belongs to Microsoft 365 ecosystem. The aim of the cloud storage solution is to connect users and enable collaboration and productivity within the organization. The platform type is x64. It is a storage system and document management system with high configuring ability. SharePoint is available in five major types of editions and integrates various tools.
On the other hand, the sharing and versioning features of one drive are easily accessible. It provides access and storage of files in a centralized location. The files are private to the users. It is ideal for creating personal space. It can be referred to as a simplified document library that provides full access.
Comparison Table Between SharePoint and OneDrive
| Parameters of Comparison | SharePoint | OneDrive |
| Year of launch | 2001 | 2007 |
| Type | Content management system | File hosting service |
| Developer | Microsoft cooperation | Microsoft |
| Ownership | Managed and controlled by the site owner | Centralised system |
| Effectiveness of communication and collaboration feature | Highly effective | Moderately effective |
What is SharePoint?
SharePoint is a collaborative platform that is web-based and integrated with Microsoft Office. It is a storage system and document management system with high configuring ability. The product is used by various types of organizations. Some common uses are Enterprise content, the Intranet, social network, collaborative software, file hosting services, custom web applications, and other related services. It is developed by Microsoft cooperation.
The operating system used in SharePoint is Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019. The platform type is x64. The product is available in a wide range of languages. It belongs to the domain of the content management system. SharePoint is available for both iOS and Android. The product has the license of proprietary software.
The size of SharePoint in iOS is 79.6 MB while the size of SharePoint in Android is 27.31 MB. According to a report of 2017, SharePoint had over 190 million users. SharePoint is available in five major types of editions. These are SharePoint Standard, SharePoint Server, SharePoint Enterprise, and SharePoint Online. It integrates with various tools like Microsoft Groups, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Microsoft Office Suite, and others.
The architecture of SharePoint provides the least privileges in the model of execution permission. The typical web application exists in the form of a single server and aims for redundancy at multiple servers. The product also uses Microsoft open XML document to integrate Microsoft Office. The storage of document metadata is done through this format.
What is OneDrive?
OneDrive is also known as SkyDrive. It is a downloadable software launched in August of 2007. The software is created by Microsoft. The main role of OneDrive is to allow users to synchronize and share their files. It also performs as a storage backend of Microsoft Office in the web version. The users are provided with 5 GB of storage space and other additional storage options with Office 365 subscriptions. The collaborative tool is highly effective in organizing the work in one specific place.
OneDrive is available in 107 languages. It is available for various types of operating systems like Android, macOS, Windows Phone, iOS, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and other Xbox series. Initially, OneDrive was also known as Windows Live Folders at the time of its launch. OneDrive also allows downloading entire files as a single ZIP file. OneDrive is capable of syncing various SharePoint files.
One drive can keep older versions of various files for about 30 days. This feature is known as versioning which was not available in the previous formats. The utilization of the files on demand can be synchronized from the file listing and does not need any disk space. One drive also provides an online text editor that can view and edit files in various formats. One drive is also regarded as a single document library with personal access.
The “Wave 4” update of OneDrive had similarities with the Microsoft office for the web software. One drive supports various formats to view the documents by the users. The most common types are portable document format or PDF and open document format or ODF. The XML-based file format can support other applications like LibreOffice, Corel’s WordPerfect, Microsoft Office, Apache OpenOffice.
Main Differences Between SharePoint and OneDrive
- SharePoint is a tool used to collaborate between multiple individuals or teams at a time while OneDrive is a web-based storage platform for documents and files.
- SharePoint is effectively used to connect to the office suite while OneDrive is effectively used for personal files.
- The control of the content in SharePoint is with the site owner while the control of the content in OneDrive is only with the owner.
- SharePoint is ideal for sharing and collaboration while OneDrive is ideal for personal space of storage of files securely.
- SharePoint is available only in paid plans while OneDrive is available in the free version as well as paid plans.
Conclusion
SharePoint and OneDrive are powerful collaborative tools. They are used by different types of organizations for numerous purposes like storing files, creating online forms, managing documents, managing dashboards, and others. The Microsoft 365 office suite provides both SharePoint as a collaborative feature and OneDrive as cloud storage space.
SharePoint caters as a collaborative tool that is team-based or company-wide while OneDrive caters as a single document library. Individually, both systems have distinct features and functionalities. A combination of both systems achieves the highest potency. However, the users should evaluate all the parameters before making a final choice of decision.
References
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4842-6936-7_3
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4842-4203-2_1