File Sharing Problems

How to Choose Between OneDrive and SharePoint for Business Shared Files

Steven Parker Oct 14, 2026 869 views

Question details

A small business needs to establish a secure, shared document location with controlled access and wants to determine whether OneDrive for Business or SharePoint is the better choice, as well as how to verify SharePoint availability in a GoDaddy plan.

Should Your Business Use OneDrive or SharePoint for Shared Files?

Product: OneDrive and SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up a centralized shared document location for a small team with specific access controls.
Observed behavior: The business needs clarification on the functional differences between OneDrive and SharePoint for team collaboration and guidance on checking Microsoft 365 subscription details via GoDaddy.

Before you start

Before deciding on a cloud storage solution, outline your team's specific collaboration needs, including the number of users, required folder permission levels, and whether you need an intranet portal or just simple file storage.

Solution 1Recommended

Compare OneDrive and SharePoint Features for Business Use

Understand the core differences between OneDrive for Business and SharePoint to select the best fit for your team's file management strategy.

OneDrive and SharePoint serve different purposes within the Microsoft ecosystem. While both store files in the cloud, understanding their core strengths is vital for proper team data management and security.

Evaluate OneDrive for individual work

Use OneDrive for Business primarily for personal work files or draft documents that are only relevant to you, or files that only need to be shared occasionally with specific colleagues.

Evaluate SharePoint for team collaboration

Choose SharePoint for centralized team document libraries. It provides shared sites, robust permission management, comprehensive version history, and is independent of any single user's account.

Establish a hybrid workflow

Encourage employees to draft initial files in their individual OneDrive and move them to a centralized SharePoint document library once the files are ready for team-wide access.

Compare OneDrive and SharePoint Features for Business Use

Data Ownership: SharePoint provides better administrative control over company data because files belong to the organization, whereas OneDrive files are tied to an individual user's account and may be lost if the user leaves.

Solution 2

Verify SharePoint Inclusion in GoDaddy Microsoft 365 Plans

Check your current GoDaddy subscription details to see if SharePoint is included or if an upgrade is required.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Equip Your Small Business with a Cost-Effective Office Suite

Regardless of whether you store files in OneDrive or SharePoint, your team needs a reliable office suite to open, edit, and collaborate on documents. WPS Office is a highly compatible, lightweight, and free alternative to Microsoft Office, perfect for small businesses looking to reduce software overhead.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Install and set up: Run the installer on your business computers. The lightweight installation takes only a few minutes.
3. Open your shared files: Use WPS Office to directly open, edit, and save Microsoft format files synced from your team's OneDrive or SharePoint folders.

Free and lightweight suite, reducing business software licensing costsSeamlessly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsFamiliar tabbed user interface for quick team onboardingBuilt-in PDF editing tools and local file management

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use OneDrive for Business as our main company shared drive?

While it is technically possible to share folders from OneDrive, it is not recommended for company-wide storage. OneDrive is tied to individual users, meaning if an employee leaves the company and their account is deleted, their shared files may be lost. SharePoint is designed specifically for centralized, company-owned storage.

How do I move files from my personal OneDrive to a SharePoint team site?

You can easily move files using the web interface. Select the files in your OneDrive, click the 'Move to' or 'Copy to' button on the top toolbar, and select your target SharePoint site and document library from the menu.

Is SharePoint always included in all Microsoft 365 business plans?

No. While SharePoint is included in most Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard, and Premium plans, some basic email-only plans or apps-only plans (such as Microsoft 365 Apps for business) do not include SharePoint services. You should always check your specific subscription tier to confirm.

Document & File Issues