Learn The Difference Between Google Drive or SharePoint
Businesses are shifting to the cloud platform for managing their documents and collaboration. For this, Google Drive and SharePoint are the most popular tools in the world. But most of the users are confused between these two. This blog will discuss with you Google Drive vs SharePoint to help you decide which is better for you.
Google Drive and SharePoint are cloud-based platforms for file management and team collaboration. Offering some similar features like real-time collaboration, access control, and access to both mobile and version control. Google Drive is part of Google Workspace, whereas SharePoint is linked with Microsoft 365.
Google Drive Vs SharePoint – Key Difference
| Feature | Google Drive | SharePoint |
|---|---|---|
| Focus On | Provide cloud file storage and real-time collaboration. | Use for document management, intranet, and collaboration. |
| User Interface | The interface of the tool is clean, simple, and intuitive. | The interface of SharePoint is feature-rich and more complex. |
| Structure of File Storage | Folder-based storage | Site-based document libraries |
| Real-time collaboration | Provide excellent real-time collaboration using Docs, Sheets, and Slides. | Strong real-time collaboration with Office Online and Desktop apps. |
| Version Control Option | It gets you automatic version history. | Provides advanced versioning and check-in/check-out. |
| How to Share files? | Simple sharing links | Granular permission control |
| Security Function | Offers you strong security and encryption | Enterprise-grade security and governance. |
| Compliance Applicability | Use GDPR, ISO, and SOC. | GDPR, ISO, SOC, HIPAA, and eDiscovery. |
| Workflows and Automation | Provide limited native automation. | Powerful workflows using Power Automate |
| Ideal For | Good for small to medium-sized teams | Great for large enterprises. |
This is the basic comparison between Google Drive and SharePoint. For a more detailed comparison, read the sections below.
Distinguish Between Google Drive and SharePoint Based on Security
Security is one of the most important aspects of choosing Google Drive or SharePoint. Both programs offer you business-standard protection, but with varied measures.
| Functions | Google Drive | SharePoint Online |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption (At Rest) | AES-128 or AES-256 | Only AES-256 |
| Encryption (In Transit) | TLS with Perfect Forwarding Secrecy | SSL/TLS |
| Primary Identity Hub | Google Identity or BeyondCorp | Microsoft Entra ID |
| Access Model | It uses Context-Aware Access, where it restricts access based on IP, device state, and user. | SharePoint uses Conditional Access, where granular policiesare applied for users, locations, and app states. |
| Access Control and Permissions | Traditionally, it provides access or no access, but it is further involved in Shared Drives with centralized ownership and prevents data loss. | It uses complex permissions known as an invisible skeleton. SharePoint uses a hierarchical waterfall model, but also allow to break inheritance to set unique access. |
| Data Loss Prevention and Governance | Google Drive offers robust DLP that allows you to automatically detect sensitive data. Also, block external sharing of files. | SharePoint is deeply integrated with Microsoft Purview. |
| AI and Malware for Threat Protection | It uses centralized AI models to block 99.9% phishing and malware. | This relies on Microsoft Defender for Office 365, which uses behavioral analysis to counter zero-day exploits and impersonation attacks. |
Price Comparison of Google Drive Vs SharePoint
Pricing is also the most important aspect of making the decision of whether you use Google Drive or SharePoint.
Google Drive Cost Comparison
| Plans | Cost | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Google Workspace Business Starter | $6 per user per month | 30 GB per user |
| Google Workspace Business Standard | $12 per user per month | 2 TB per user |
| Google Workspace Business Plus | $18 per user per month | 5 TB per user |
| Google Workspace Enterprise | Custom Pricing | Unlimited or 1 TB per user |
SharePoint Cost Comparison
| Plans | Cost | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Business Basic | $6 per user per month | 1 TB per user |
| Microsoft 365 Business Standard | $12.50 per user per month | 1 TB per user with additional storage |
| Microsoft 365 Business Premium | $22 per user per month | 1 TB per user (can be expandable) |
| Microsoft 365 Enterprise E1 | $10 per user per month | 1 TB per user with additional storage |
| Microsoft 365 Enterprise E3 | $23 per user per month | 1 TB per user with additional storage |
| Microsoft 365 Enterprise E5 | $38 per user per month | 1 TB per user with additional storage |
From these comparisons, you now know how Google Drive and SharePoint differ from each other. But wondering which one is better for you.
When to Use Google Drive?
Google Drive is a great tool for its simplicity, speed, and real-time collaboration. For several situations, Google Drive is best.
- For startups, freelancers, small and medium sized business, Google Drive is much easier. Because it has a low learning curve and is quick to onboard. In just a few minutes, you can start sharing and collaborating with other team members.
- Google Drive excels in live co-authoring. Multiple users can edit their Docs, Sheets, and Slides at the same time. Which makes it ideal for content teams, marketing agencies, and remote organizations.
- You are not tech-savvy, but even then, Google Drive is very easy for you. Because of its clean UI that makes it easy for you work.
- If your organization already uses Gmail, Google Meet, Docs, and Sheets. Then, you should use Google Drive for smooth integration.
Thus, for a simple and affordable price, Google Drive is the best option.
When to Choose SharePoint?
Apart from Google Drive, SharePoint is a more structured document management, enterprise-level security platform that is more ideal for businesses.
- SharePoint is very efficient across departments, locations, and thousands of users. Many enterprises and growing organizations choose this tool.
- It provides document libraries, metadata, version control, and check-in/check-out features that help you manage complex file structures and regulated content.
- If you want top security features. Then, SharePoint is a safe choice as it offers you enterprise-grade security, eDiscovery, retention policies, and a compliance certificate.
- Your company is already using Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Outlook, etc., so it is nice to have SharePoint.
Now, it’s your turn to choose which one of you wants. Google Drive or SharePoint. I explained the difference between them and in which circumstances the tool is best for you.
Those who choose SharePoint and previouously using the Google Drive have to move their files before starting to use them. For this, I have a perfect solution.
Bonus Tip: Move Google Drive Data to SharePoint
After selecting the data management tool. Some users have a concern about transferring the data. In that case, you can use SysTools G Suite to Microsoft 365 Migration Tool. It is a great software that can easily move all the Google Workspace data, including Google Drive documents, with complete permission. With this, you can securely migrate the Drive data without losing any formatting.
Final Words
If you are confuse which is a great tool for file management. This article explained Google Drive vs SharePoint. Here, I have deeply discussed the comparison between the two programs. I have also provided various cases in which Google Drive and SharePoint will be best. If you want to migrate your data, then I have also provided a solution that you can easily use.