Two giants — Microsoft SharePoint and Google Drive — continue to dominate the business collaboration landscape. But which one is the right fit for your business as we look towards 2025? Choosing a platform is no longer just about storing files in the cloud. Today, it’s about empowering remote teams, securing sensitive data, and harnessing the power of AI to work smarter, not harder.
The way we work is changing, driven by AI assistants like Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini that are becoming essential members of the team. For many businesses, the right collaboration tool is the one that not only stores documents but also streamlines workflows and provides a competitive edge. It can feel like a huge decision, with both platforms offering powerful features.
At Empathy Technologies, we help companies choose and integrate the right digital workspace every day. This guide will break down the key differences between SharePoint and Google Drive, compare their features for 2025, and help you decide which platform aligns with your business goals.
Quick Overview of SharePoint and Google Drive
Before we dive deep, let’s start with the basics. Though often compared, SharePoint and Google Drive were built with different core purposes in mind.
What Is SharePoint?
SharePoint is a cloud-based document management and internal collaboration platform that is part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Think of it as a central hub or an intranet for your organisation. It’s designed to help teams create websites, manage documents, and automate business processes, all within a secure and highly customisable environment.
What Is Google Drive?
Google Drive is a cloud storage and file-sharing service that is a core component of Google Workspace. Its primary strength lies in its simplicity and ease of use, allowing users to store files, share them easily, and collaborate in real-time on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Similarities at a Glance
Both platforms offer the essentials for modern collaboration:
- Cloud File Storage: Securely store and access your files from anywhere.
- Real-time Collaboration: Multiple users can edit documents simultaneously.
- Mobile Accessibility: Both have dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android.
- Integration: Each integrates deeply with its own suite of office productivity tools (Microsoft Office vs. Google Docs, Sheets, etc.).
Read: Is SharePoint Right for Small Businesses? (2025 Guide)
Feature Comparison – SharePoint vs Google Drive (2025 Update)
The real differences emerge when you look closer at their features, especially with the latest AI advancements.
| Feature | Microsoft SharePoint | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Document management & company intranet | File storage & simple sharing |
| Collaboration Tools | Integrated with Teams, Copilot, and Power Automate | Integrated with Google Chat and Meet |
| Security & Compliance | Advanced (ISO, GDPR, HIPAA-ready) | Moderate (basic compliance features) |
| Customisation | High (intranet sites, custom workflows, web parts) | Limited |
| Storage & Versioning | Granular version control and large default storage | Simple version history and tiered storage |
| AI & Automation | Microsoft Copilot, Power Automate | Gemini AI (in Docs, Sheets, Meet) |
| Best For | Enterprises, regulated industries & mid-size organisations | Startups, freelancers & small businesses |
Pricing & Storage Comparison (2025 Update)
Cost is always a critical factor. Here’s how they stack up.
- SharePoint (via Microsoft 365): Plans like Business Basic start around £5 per user/month, including 1 TB of OneDrive storage per user plus SharePoint storage. Higher-tier plans (like E3 or E5) add advanced security, compliance, and analytics tools like Power BI. Access to Microsoft Copilot is an additional monthly subscription.
- Google Drive (via Google Workspace): Plans like Business Starter begin at approximately £5 per user/month with 30 GB of storage. Higher-tier plans offer more storage (up to unlimited in Enterprise tiers) and more advanced admin controls. Gemini AI features are also being rolled into various subscription levels.
When comparing costs, think about the total value. A SharePoint plan might seem more expensive, but it includes tools like Teams and Power Automate, which could replace other subscriptions. The ROI of an AI assistant like Copilot, which can automate complex tasks, should also be factored into your 12-month cost analysis.
Integration Ecosystem – Which Works Better with Your Tools?
A platform is only as good as its ability to connect with the other tools you use.
SharePoint Strengths
SharePoint’s biggest advantage is its seamless integration with the entire Microsoft 365 ecosystem. If your team lives in Outlook, collaborates in Teams, and builds reports in Power BI, SharePoint acts as the connective tissue. Furthermore, its integration with the Power Platform (Power Automate, Power Apps) allows for powerful, custom workflow automation without needing to write code. The introduction of Copilot, powered by Azure OpenAI, takes this a step further by embedding AI across all these applications.
Google Drive Strengths
Google Drive works flawlessly with Google Workspace apps like Gmail, Calendar, and Meet. Sharing a Doc from Gmail or attaching a file to a Calendar invite is incredibly intuitive. It also connects with thousands of third-party apps through the Google Workspace Marketplace, making it flexible for teams that rely on a diverse set of cloud tools for lightweight document sharing.
Collaboration Experience – AI, Real-Time Editing & Workflow
How does it feel to actually work on these platforms?
SharePoint Collaboration
SharePoint supports real-time co-authoring in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Its integration with Teams means you can edit a document right within a chat or channel. Where it truly shines is in structured collaboration. You can create approval workflows, set up intranet portals for company news, and manage content with strict version control. With Microsoft Copilot, you can ask AI to summarise long documents, generate meeting notes from a Teams call, or even create a draft proposal based on an Excel file.
Google Drive Collaboration
Google Drive is famous for its simple, real-time collaboration. Sharing a link and having multiple people jump into a Google Doc to comment and edit is effortless. It’s perfect for brainstorming and quick feedback. While it lacks the built-in, advanced workflow automation of SharePoint, its Gemini AI integration offers features like smart compose in Gmail and instant summaries in Google Docs.
Security, Compliance & Data Control
For many businesses, especially those in regulated industries like finance or healthcare, this is the most important category.
SharePoint Security
This is where SharePoint has a clear lead for enterprise needs. It offers granular, role-based access control, advanced data loss prevention (DLP) policies, and detailed audit logs. It is designed to meet strict compliance standards like GDPR and HIPAA. With Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), you can manage user access across your entire organisation. SharePoint also supports data residency, ensuring your data is stored in specific geographic locations to meet legal requirements.
Google Drive Security
Google Drive provides solid security features, including two-factor authentication and encryption for data at rest and in transit. However, many advanced admin controls and security settings are only available in the higher-priced Google Workspace plans. While secure enough for many businesses, it doesn’t offer the same level of granular control and built-in compliance tooling as SharePoint.
Which Platform Fits Your Business Type?
The best choice depends on your organisation’s size, industry, and priorities.
| Business Type | Recommended Tool | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Small Business / Startups | Google Drive | Affordable, simple to set up, and excellent for fast collaboration. |
| Mid-Size Business | SharePoint | Offers greater scalability, security, and AI-powered collaboration. |
| Enterprise | SharePoint | Unmatched security, compliance, and deep integration with Power Platform. |
| Hybrid / Remote Teams | SharePoint | Centralised access via Teams and OneDrive creates a unified digital HQ. |
How Empathy Technologies Helps Businesses Decide
Choosing the right platform is just the first step. At Empathy Technologies, we guide you through the entire process. We offer:
- Consulting to identify the best-fit platform for your specific business needs and compliance requirements.
- Implementation and Integration of SharePoint and Microsoft Copilot to ensure they work seamlessly with your existing systems.
- Data Migration, Training, and Support to get your team up and running with confidence and minimal disruption.
- Governance Frameworks to ensure your collaboration environment remains secure and organised as your business grows.
FAQ – SharePoint vs Google Drive (2025 Edition)
Which platform is more secure for business data?
For businesses with strict compliance needs or sensitive data, SharePoint offers more advanced and granular security controls, making it the more secure option for enterprise use.
Can SharePoint and Google Drive work together?
Yes, they can. Some companies use a hybrid approach, leveraging SharePoint for official document management and intranet purposes while using Google Drive for more informal, creative collaboration. Migration tools can help sync files between them.
How does Copilot enhance SharePoint productivity?
Copilot acts as an AI assistant within SharePoint and other Microsoft 365 apps. It can summarise documents, generate content, analyse data in Excel, and automate tasks, significantly reducing manual work.
Which tool is more cost-effective for small teams?
Google Drive is typically more cost-effective for small teams, as its entry-level plans are affordable and its simple interface requires minimal training.
What’s better for compliance-heavy industries?
SharePoint is the clear winner for industries like healthcare, finance, and government due to its robust, built-in compliance features, audit trails, and data governance capabilities.
The Verdict for 2025
So, who wins the 2025 showdown?
Choose Google Drive if your priority is simplicity, speed, and straightforward real-time collaboration. It’s an excellent, cost-effective choice for startups, small businesses, and teams that need to get moving quickly.
Choose SharePoint if your business requires robust security, structured document management, and deep integration with a wider business ecosystem. It’s the superior choice for mid-size to enterprise-level organisations, especially those in regulated industries or looking to build automated workflows.
Ultimately, the right choice isn’t just about comparing feature lists—it’s about aligning the platform with your business goals, scalability needs, and AI readiness.
Ready to make the right choice for your future? Empathy Technologies can help you evaluate, migrate, and optimise the perfect collaboration platform for your business in 2025.
- Schedule a Session: Booking Link
- Chat with Our Team: garry@empathy-technologies.com
