6 top-rated SharePoint alternatives for 2024

SharePoint is a Goliath in the document management space. More than 85 percent of Fortune 500 companies, including Toyota, Hershey, REI, and more, use SharePoint in some capacity.

But what is it exactly? SharePoint is a web-based document management and collaboration tool from Microsoft. It’s part intranet and part content management system. Businesses use it to share and manage their digital content and enable seamless collaboration across the organization.

SharePoint has been around for two decades, so it was among the first to offer features like version control on Word and Excel files, secure document management, intranet development, workflow management, and more.

Today, SharePoint is still a big name, but it’s no longer the only name. Plenty of alternatives have entered the scene and successfully neutralized some of the platform’s age-old pain points — like confusing navigation, a poor user interface design, and a cumbersome document capture process.

So if SharePoint isn’t the right fit for your business — maybe you don’t require a complete intranet platform that comes with a hefty price tag, for instance — then check out one of the popular SharePoint alternatives below instead.

Whether you’re interested in replacing SharePoint or side-stepping it altogether, here are six solutions that offer similar features.

1. Box

Box is a cloud-based content management and file-sharing service for businesses. This SharePoint alternative includes secure file storage, mobile synchronization, version control, and many customization options for automating manual work, like routing files based on predefined business rules.

Box doesn’t provide document editing capabilities, but it integrates easily with Microsoft 365 and other third-party apps.

2. Confluence (by Atlassian)

Confluence was built for teams that need a secure and reliable way to collaborate on projects in real time. Unique features include advanced search functions, shared document editing, and custom workflows.

It also offers a wide variety of templates for everything from project management and strategic plans to email campaigns and more. Confluence is a budget-friendly option for small businesses and startups.

3. Google Workspace (formerly G Suite)

Google Workspace is an integrated suite of secure, cloud-based collaboration and productivity tools that includes Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Chat, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Sites, and more. This product is best for startups or small businesses that need robust document-sharing capabilities but don’t require complex workflows.

4. Huddle

Huddle is a cloud-based project management solution that helps businesses share files, collaborate on projects (even with external partners), and organize workflows.

Like some of the other solutions named here, Huddle easily deploys in minutes, compared to SharePoint’s weeks or even months. It gets high marks for usability, and its government-grade security measures make Huddle a good choice for large enterprises and government agencies. Its customers include the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Department of Defense.

5. Igloo Software

Igloo is a feature-packed intranet software solution that allows users to share files, provide real-time status updates, coordinate tasks and calendars, search for in-house subject matter experts, and manage projects and processes. Igloo incorporates social tools like blogs, forums, and wikis to promote engagement and entice colleagues to share knowledge and collaborate.

Some of Igloo’s notable features include customization, file sharing, an employee directory, global calendars, and corporate communication management. It offers out-of-the-box integrations with Microsoft 365 and Windows.

6. Source (by IC Thrive)

Source is a cloud-based intranet solution designed to help companies automate business processes and collaborate on work tasks. The system is designed for easy implementation with scaling in mind.

Source by IC Thrive supports growing businesses with a ton of out-of-the-box features like e-learning modules, which can be useful for onboarding new employees or conducting online training. Key features include help desk ticketing, document editing, and shared calendars.

While these platforms are some of the biggest competitors for SharePoint, there are many other alternatives available. Depending on your unique business goals, industry needs, and budget, you may prioritize certain features over others. It’s important to have a clear vision of your document management and collaboration goals so you can find the tool that works best for your business.

Photo by Christina Morillo from Pexels