When businesses consider secure, reliable file-sharing solutions, Microsoft SharePoint often emerges as a top contender. SharePoint combines public and ad hoc file transfer capabilities with collaboration, document management and workflow automation tools, and was one of the first products to do so when it launched in 2001. However, file-sharing solutions have come a long way since then, and SharePoint does have limitations that can make it a tough fit for some file transfer use cases.
In this blog post, we’ll review SharePoint’s core use cases, discuss some of its challenges and provide alternatives if you’re shopping for a new file-sharing solution.
What are SharePoint’s use cases?
SharePoint is most commonly used to support the following use cases:
- Document storage and management
- Corporate intranets and related functionality
- Business process automation
- Team collaboration (calendaring, joint editing, etc.)
What are SharePoint’s shortcomings as a file transfer solution?
- Complicated licensing: SharePoint suffers from Microsoft’s tendency to overcomplicate its licensing and costing. The solution is available in a number of overlapping licenses that offer different components at different price points (Standard, Enterprise, Server, Online, etc.), and often require users who want to transfer or access files on a SharePoint site to have a SharePoint license or Microsoft account.
- Complex setup and permissions management: SharePoint’s initial configuration can be cumbersome, especially for users unfamiliar with its nuances. While some administrators may prefer the fine-grained control they will have over every user’s access, storage and permission actions, setting up this level of overhead can often be overkill for an organization that is simply seeking to share files online. Granular file and directory permissions can also add significant headaches when trying to manage data security.
- Higher costs: SharePoint comes at a variety of price points depending on your organization’s overall license, and costs can add up quickly based on your user counts and storage requirements.
- Limited flexibility: SharePoint was built to be an internal collaboration tool, and over time has added a number of different capabilities that make it a solid tool for its initial design. However, many users find that more specialized applications are easier to use for particular applications like ad hoc file sharing.
What are good alternatives to SharePoint for public file transfer?
For those in need of ad hoc file transfer alternatives to SharePoint, here are some solutions worth considering:
- Cerberus FTP Server by Redwood
Cerberus FTP Server’s HTTPS web client provides flexible sharing capabilities through secure ad hoc file transfer links, allowing any user to easily post or share files via their web browser while maintaining strict security. Cerberus can be installed on-premises in a Windows server environment or connected to your cloud infrastructure and includes features like file retention policies and self-serve account management to support document management and access with much lower administrative and cost overhead than SharePoint. - WeTransfer
WeTransfer offers a straightforward interface designed for quick, one-off file sharing. The platform provides both free and paid plans based on data size requirements. However, its security features aren’t as comprehensive as some enterprise solutions, and it lacks in-depth access and directory management tools that larger organizations might need for compliance and policy purposes. - Dropbox Business
Dropbox Business provides a familiar user experience based on the company’s consumer file transfer service. Dropbox supports public file transfer links, making it a practical choice for teams seeking collaboration and version control. However, advanced features such as detailed admin controls are only available at higher-priced tiers, and external collaboration may pose challenges when working with those unfamiliar with Dropbox. - Google Workspace (formerly G Suite)
Google Workspace integrates file sharing within the broader suite of Google apps, offering sharing controls, version history and collaborative editing through Google Docs, Sheets and other tools. However, Google’s basic Workspace plans offer limited storage, and complex permission settings can inadvertently cause data leaks if not carefully managed.
While SharePoint remains a strong candidate for internal collaboration and document management, its complexities and high costs make it less ideal for public and ad hoc file sharing.
Cerberus FTP Server, WeTransfer, Dropbox Business and Google Workspace each offer distinct advantages and trade-offs. Selecting the right solution depends on your specific organizational needs, balancing security, cost and ease of use.
Ready to discover how Cerberus FTP Server can streamline your public and ad hoc file sharing while ensuring top-notch security and compliance? Explore our robust public file-sharing features here to see how we can enhance your organization’s data management.