OneDrive, SharePoint what is the difference?

While OneDrive and SharePoint both provide an online space to access files, their broader use is what separates them. SharePoint is predominantly an online document management system and communication site. OneDrive is a cloud storage solution that people mainly use to create an online backup of their files or for personal use.

OneDrive” is used mainly for personal and draft documents and only the user has access to documents stored on there unless the user specifically “shares” the document with someone else.

SharePoint” is used mainly for storage of files that are to be shared with other staff/team members. Sharing and permissions to access is controlled by the SharePoint administrator.

SharePoint is only available in Business Versions of Microsoft Office 365 (Business Standard, Business Premium, Enterprise E1, E3, E5, SharePoint Plan 1 and 2)

OneDrive is available in Microsoft Office 365 Personal and Office 365 Family

However, the program (or App) used to access both is actually called “OneDrive” and can be found from the start menu

onedrive

or by clicking on the “little-blue-cloud” (SharePoint) or “littlewhite-cloud” for OneDrive and found on the taskbar at the bottom right of a Windows 10 computer.

onedrive app running

In Mac OS, the OneDrive App can be accessed via “Applications”

OneDrive for Mac

And also appears in the Top Task bar as follows