- How you get SharePoint
- What SharePoint gives a small business
- How much storage you get
- Adding storage and getting out of read-only mode
- Plans with and without Teams
- The SharePoint free trial
- How to check if you already have SharePoint
- SharePoint vs OneDrive
- When SharePoint is more than you need
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
No, SharePoint isn't free on its own. It's a business product that comes included in Microsoft 365 business plans such as Business Basic, Business Standard and Business Premium, and Microsoft also sells standalone SharePoint plans. If your business already pays for one of those Microsoft 365 plans, you have SharePoint at no extra charge. Microsoft also offers a one-month free trial.
That's why so many small business owners ask this question. They've seen SharePoint links in emails from clients, or noticed it in their Microsoft 365 app launcher, and they're not sure whether it's something extra to buy. In most cases, if you're on a Microsoft 365 business plan, you already have it.
How you get SharePoint
| Route | Includes SharePoint? | What Microsoft says |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Business Basic | Yes | Team sites using SharePoint |
| Microsoft 365 Business Standard | Yes | Team sites using SharePoint |
| Microsoft 365 Business Premium | Yes | Team sites using SharePoint |
| Standalone SharePoint plans | Yes | Sold as SharePoint plans in their own right |
| One-month free trial | Yes, temporarily | Credit card required, storage limited |
Microsoft's service description adds that to use SharePoint, people in your organisation need a licence that includes it. Microsoft's business plans are built for up to 300 users.
What SharePoint gives a small business
Microsoft's SharePoint plans page describes team sites to share content, videos and files, easy file management between OneDrive and SharePoint, and real-time co-authoring across devices. In plain terms, SharePoint is where shared company files and an internal intranet live, while OneDrive is each person's own storage.
Microsoft also highlights a SharePoint template gallery for creating pages and news posts, which is handy if you want a simple staff hub without hiring a developer. My guide on how to use SharePoint walks through setting up your first site.
How much storage you get
Microsoft's SharePoint limits page sets storage per organisation, not per person. For business and enterprise plans, the pool is 1 TB plus 10 GB for each licence purchased. Microsoft's own example: a plan with 1 TB of base storage and 100 users gives 2 TB in total.
Two warnings from the same page are worth knowing. The site recycle bin counts toward your total storage, so Microsoft recommends emptying it regularly. And if your organisation keeps operating above its storage limit, your environment risks being put into read-only mode until you free up space or buy more.
Adding storage and getting out of read-only mode
If the pool runs short, Microsoft says you can buy more SharePoint storage, and there's no ceiling on how much you add. If your organisation has already been put into read-only mode, Microsoft says you can restore editing by reducing storage use, buying extra storage or buying eligible licences. After a purchase, a Confirm purchase option can temporarily lift read-only mode for up to 14 days while the new capacity is applied, but Microsoft says it can only be used once in a 365-day period.
Plans with and without Teams
Microsoft's comparison page lists versions of Business Basic, Business Standard and Business Premium both with and without Teams. SharePoint team sites appear in both versions, so choosing a plan without Teams doesn't take SharePoint away. It's worth knowing if you use another chat or meeting tool and don't want to pay for features you won't open.
One more detail for anyone with older forms: Microsoft's service description says InfoPath Forms Services requires SharePoint Plan 2 or Office 365 Enterprise E3 or E5.
The SharePoint free trial
Microsoft's comparison page offers a one-month free trial. Its footnote says a credit card is required to sign up, storage for trials is limited, and the subscription automatically converts to paid when the trial ends unless you cancel during the trial. If you're only testing, set a reminder before the month is up.
How to check if you already have SharePoint
- Sign in to Microsoft365.com with your work account.
- Open the app launcher and look for SharePoint.
- If it's there, select it to see the sites you already have access to.
- If it's missing, ask whoever manages your Microsoft 365 account which plan you're on.
- Compare that plan against Microsoft's SharePoint plans page before buying anything extra.
SharePoint vs OneDrive
Microsoft's service description says OneDrive is online storage for individual users within an organisation, the place people store, sync and share their own work files. It also says OneDrive is included in SharePoint and can be bought as a standalone plan. If you only need personal file storage, my page on whether OneDrive is free explains the free allowance.
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When SharePoint is more than you need
SharePoint suits businesses that want structured shared folders, permissions by team and an intranet. If you're a team of two sharing a handful of documents, it can feel heavy. My roundup of intranet software covers lighter options if you mainly want a staff hub.
My verdict
SharePoint isn't free as a standalone product, but most small businesses on Microsoft 365 business plans already have it and simply haven't opened it. Check your app launcher before you buy anything. If you don't have it, test it with the one-month trial, keep an eye on the organisation-wide storage pool, and only buy a standalone plan if you don't need the rest of Microsoft 365.
Frequently asked questions
Is SharePoint free with Microsoft 365?
It's included at no extra charge in Microsoft 365 business plans such as Business Basic, Business Standard and Business Premium, which are paid subscriptions.
Can I use SharePoint without Microsoft 365?
Yes. Microsoft sells standalone SharePoint plans as well as including SharePoint in Microsoft 365 business plans.
Is there a SharePoint free trial?
Yes. Microsoft offers a one-month free trial. It says a credit card is required and the trial converts to a paid subscription unless you cancel.
How much storage does SharePoint include?
Microsoft says business and enterprise plans get an organisation-wide pool of 1 TB plus 10 GB per licence purchased.
What happens if we go over the SharePoint storage limit?
Microsoft says organisations that keep operating above their limit risk being put into read-only mode until they reduce usage or add storage.
Can I buy more SharePoint storage?
Yes. Microsoft says you can purchase more SharePoint storage for your organisation, with no upper limit on the amount.
Is OneDrive part of SharePoint?
Microsoft's service description says OneDrive is included in SharePoint and can also be bought as a standalone plan.
