Using Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive

Question

What is the difference between Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive?

When should I use one over another?

Answer

Think of Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint as different entrances to the same underlying files and content, optimized for different ways of working.

  • OneDrive = your personal work files
  • SharePoint = your team or organization’s shared files & information
  • Teams = the collaboration workspace that sits on top of SharePoint

All three:

  • Store files in Microsoft 365
  • Use the same security, permissions, and compliance
  • Work together seamlessly (they’re not competitors)
  • Support:
    • Co-authoring
    • Version history
    • Sharing with internal/external users
  • Are accessible via:
    • Web
    • Desktop apps
    • Mobile apps

Key insight: Files in Teams are actually stored in SharePoint, even though users interact with them through Teams.

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