FileShot vs SharePoint: Privacy-First Sharing vs Enterprise DMS
— Written by Brendan, Founder of FileShot.io
Quick Comparison
| Feature | SharePoint | FileShot |
|---|---|---|
| Zero-Knowledge Encryption | No (Microsoft manages keys) | Yes (AES-256-GCM, client-side) |
| Free Plan | No (requires Microsoft 365) | Yes (unlimited) |
| Account Required | Yes (org admin + user accounts) | No |
| Primary Purpose | Enterprise document management, intranet | Private file sharing |
| Share with External Users | Requires admin configuration | Anyone with the link |
| File Size Limit | 250 GB per file | 10 GB |
| Pricing | $5/user/mo (SharePoint Plan 1) | Free, Lite $2/mo, Pro $5/mo |
| P2P Transfer | No | Yes (WebRTC) |
Enterprise DMS vs. Privacy Tool
SharePoint and FileShot serve fundamentally different purposes. SharePoint is Microsoft's enterprise document management and intranet platform. It's built for organizations that need team sites, document libraries, workflow automation, and integration with Microsoft 365 apps. It's a collaboration platform, not a file sharing tool in the traditional sense.
FileShot is purpose-built for private file sharing. Upload a file, get an encrypted link, share it. No team sites, no workflow engine, no intranet — just zero-knowledge encrypted file transfer.
Encryption and Privacy
SharePoint encrypts files at rest using BitLocker and per-file encryption, but Microsoft manages the keys. Your organization's admin (and Microsoft, under legal request) can access file contents. Customer Key (BYOK) is available on E5 plans ($38/user/mo) but is still not zero-knowledge — Microsoft can still access data through service-level keys.
FileShot encrypts every file with AES-256-GCM in the browser before upload. The decryption key exists only in the URL fragment. FileShot's server never sees the plaintext or the key.
When to Use Each
If your organization needs document management, team collaboration, version control, and Microsoft 365 integration, SharePoint is purpose-built for that. If you need to share files privately with anyone — inside or outside your organization — with zero-knowledge encryption and no account requirements, FileShot handles that.
For zero-knowledge encrypted file sharing, try FileShot or compare plans.