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Summary: This article discusses the debate between SharePoint 2019 and Microsoft 365 for cloud platform users. It compares their features, administration, and pricing. Microsoft 365 is favored for its user experience and pricing, while SharePoint 2019 is preferred for tight security, configurable data, and complex web design needs.

If you’re a user of cloud platforms, you’ve likely encountered discussions comparing SharePoint 2019 and Microsoft 365. Following the launch of SharePoint 2019, there was a surge in articles discussing the pros and cons of SharePoint 2019 versus Microsoft 365. Additionally, organizations faced challenges in deciding whether to opt for on-premises solutions, embrace the Microsoft 365 cloud, or pursue a hybrid approach for managing their content.

We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the situation, aiming to determine the superior platform for your organization between SharePoint 2019 and Microsoft 365. This article will provide a concise overview of both SharePoint 2019 and Microsoft 365 platforms.

What is Microsoft 365 (SharePoint Online)?

Referred to as SharePoint Online, Microsoft 365 represents a cloud-centric offering from Microsoft that facilitates collaboration and information sharing among organizations, their partners, customers, and coworkers. It grants users the ability to conveniently access internal resources such as websites, documents, and pertinent data within an organization, whether on their mobile devices or desktop computers.

SharePoint Online encompasses three main components: Newsfeed, OneDrive, and Sites. Within SharePoint Online, the microblogging functionality empowers users to participate in discussions, share images, videos, and documents, and tag fellow users in the Newsfeed. Administrators have the flexibility to effortlessly tailor and set up mobile-friendly sites. If you wish to configure SharePoint Online for your organization, please visit the official Microsoft website.

What is SharePoint 2019?

Microsoft offers SharePoint 2019 as an on-premises solution designed to simplify document organization, sharing, and management for businesses, while also enhancing the SharePoint experience for on-premises and hybrid users, thus facilitating streamlined business processes. You can download SharePoint Server 2019 from the official website of Microsoft to check features of SharePoint Server 2019.

Comparison Between Microsoft 365 and SharePoint 2019

The most recent enhancement to SharePoint Server is notably remarkable, with Microsoft emphasizing enhancements to the user experience and design in SharePoint 2019. However, determining whether to transition to the cloud or remain on-premises remains a challenging decision. Therefore, let’s delve into a detailed comparison between SharePoint 2019 and Microsoft 365 to discern which platform best suits your organization’s needs.

#1 User Experience

Well, there will be improvements related to user experience in SharePoint 2019. But the current scenario clearly shows how Microsoft 365 is a better choice for organizations.

Microsoft 365 SharePoint 2019
  • OneDrive (Next Gen. Sync Client)
  • Modern – Sites, Pages, Lists/Libraries, Hub Sites, SharePoint Home
  • Large File Support
  • Extended Character length
  • SharePoint Framework (SPFx)
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Yammer
  • Power Apps & Flow
  • Delve
  • Stream
  • Planner
  • OneDrive (Next Gen. Sync Client)
  • Modern – Sites, Pages, Lists/Libraries, Hub Sites, SharePoint Home
  • Large File Support
  • Extended Character length
  • SharePoint Framework (SPFx)
#2 Administration

SharePoint 2019 provides comprehensive control over its various service aspects, while Microsoft 365 does not grant administrators full control over every aspect. Nevertheless, Microsoft 365 introduces an array of advanced features previously unavailable, and the following list highlights the current features accessible to administrators.

Microsoft 365 SharePoint 2019
  • SharePoint & OneDrive Administrativenter – Sharing, Storage, Sync, Device Access
  • Security & Compliance Center – Classifications, Data Governance, Threat Management, Reports
  • Newest IIS APIs
  • Newest PowerShell
  • Updated Health Analyzer
  • Recycle Bin Restore Improvements
  • Advanced Hybrid Scenarios
#3 Pricing

SharePoint 2019 operates exclusively on dedicated physical servers, necessitating a suitable physical infrastructure for optimal performance. Meanwhile, Office 365 encompasses a suite of cloud-based services, with SharePoint Online being a component tailored for business and enterprise subscriptions. The pricing for these offerings is contingent upon the user count utilizing the services.

Microsoft 365 SharePoint 2019
Home
  • $69.99/per year for a single.
  • $99.99/ per year for up to 6 users.
  • SharePoint Standard CAL – $180 per license.
  • SharePoint Enterprise CAL – $90 per license.
Business
  • Basic – $5.0/user per month.
  • Standard – $12.50/user per month.
  • Premium – $20.0/user per month.
  • Microsoft 365 Apps for business – $8.25/user per month.
Enterprise
  • E3 – $32.0/user per month
  • E5 – $57.0/user per month
  • F3 – $8.0/user per month
How to Decide between Microsoft 365 and SharePoint 2019?

Office 365 represents Microsoft’s premier subscription offering, encompassing a comprehensive suite of applications, all of which deliver numerous advantages to businesses at an affordable price point. Among its offerings, SharePoint Online is included as an integral component within Office 365’s suite, catering to the needs of both business and enterprise clients. Conversely, SharePoint Server 2019 serves as the on-premises server solution, necessitating specific physical prerequisites. Each of these Microsoft services carries its unique advantages, allowing businesses the flexibility to select the one that aligns most closely with their individual requirements.
SharePoint 2019 is best when –

  • For a secure collaboration between the members, you require a tight security for the data.
  • Data types should be configurable.
  • A custom workflow for customization of data.
  • The user wants to create a complex design environment for websites or site collections.

Office 365 is best when –

  • When collaboration is uncomplicated, and sharing is important for the users.
  • You need a great storage space and OneDrive for Business provided ample space.
  • Better communication is required.

Wrap Up

The preceding paragraphs distinctly illustrate the distinct characteristics of SharePoint Server 2019 and Microsoft 365. It is evident that Microsoft is firmly committed to enhancing the capabilities of Microsoft 365, leading to its inclusion of more advanced features. The decision to migrate from on-premises SharePoint to Office 365 or maintain an on-premises setup is not primarily determined by feature sets, but rather hinges upon aligning with your specific business needs.

If your organization requires a hybrid and autonomous environment, SharePoint 2019 is the preferred solution. On the other hand, if you seek a more advanced and secure option for your organization, Microsoft 365 cloud stands out as the superior choice.