Box vs SharePoint: What are the differences?

Introduction:

Box and SharePoint are both popular cloud-based collaboration platforms that offer a range of features for document management, sharing, and collaboration. While they have some similarities, there are several key differences between the two platforms.

1. Integration with other tools and services: One key difference between Box and SharePoint is their integration capabilities. Box is known for its wide range of integrations with popular tools like Google Workspace, Salesforce, and Slack. It offers a robust API and developer platform, making it easy to connect with other systems. On the other hand, SharePoint is deeply integrated with the Microsoft ecosystem, including Office 365, Microsoft Teams, and Azure. This integration makes it a seamless choice for organizations already using Microsoft products.

2. User-interface and user experience: Another significant difference between Box and SharePoint is the user interface and user experience. Box has a clean and intuitive interface, with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. It offers a modern and visually appealing design, making it easy for users to navigate and perform tasks. SharePoint, on the other hand, has a more complex and feature-rich interface. It offers a wide range of customization options and advanced features, but this can also make it less intuitive for new users.

3. Pricing and pricing models: Box and SharePoint also differ in their pricing models. Box offers a straightforward pricing structure, with different plans based on the number of users and storage space required. It offers both monthly and annual subscription options, making it flexible for businesses of all sizes. SharePoint, on the other hand, is typically bundled with Microsoft Office 365 subscriptions. The pricing for SharePoint depends on the selected Office 365 plan, which includes various other Microsoft services.

4. File size and storage limitations: When it comes to file size and storage limitations, there is a difference between Box and SharePoint. Box has a maximum individual file size limit of 5 GB for most plans, while SharePoint has a maximum individual file size limit of 250 GB for SharePoint Online. In terms of storage, Box offers unlimited storage for most of its plans, while SharePoint Online provides 1 TB of storage per organization, plus 10 GB per licensed user.

5. Version control and collaboration features: Box and SharePoint also differ in their version control and collaboration features. Box offers robust version control capabilities, allowing users to easily track and manage document revisions. It also provides real-time collaboration features, such as commenting and task assignment. SharePoint, on the other hand, offers more advanced collaboration features, including co-authoring, workflows, and document approvals. It also integrates well with Microsoft Teams, providing a seamless collaboration experience.

6. Mobile accessibility and apps: Lastly, Box and SharePoint differ in their mobile accessibility and apps. Box has a user-friendly mobile app available for both iOS and Android devices. It offers offline access, file syncing, and the ability to edit and annotate documents on the go. SharePoint also has mobile apps for iOS and Android, but it primarily focuses on providing access to SharePoint sites, document libraries, and lists. It may require additional apps or integrations for full document editing and collaboration.

In summary, Box and SharePoint have key differences in their integration capabilities, user interface, pricing models, file size and storage limitations, version control and collaboration features, and mobile accessibility. These differences make each platform suitable for different organizational needs and preferences.