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Home Comparisons SendSafely vs SharePoint
SendSafely vs SharePoint

An end-to-end encrypted alternative to SharePoint for encrypted file workflows.

SharePoint is built for broad enterprise collaboration inside Microsoft 365. SendSafely is built for the regulated, externally-shared subset where the file shouldn't be readable by the platform — split-key encrypted client-side, recipients verify before decryption, audit trail to your SIEM.

At a glance

Two products, different jobs.

A side-by-side picture of what SharePoint is built for, and where SendSafely is built differently.

What SharePoint does well
  • Centralized hub for intranet content, document libraries, and team sites inside Microsoft 365
  • Deep integration with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and the Office stack
  • Strong in-tenant collaboration with Azure AD identity
Where SendSafely is different
  • Client-side encryption with split-key custody. SharePoint encrypts at rest server-side; Microsoft holds and manages the keys. SendSafely encrypts on the sender's device with OpenPGP, and the decryption key is split — neither SendSafely nor Microsoft can read the contents on its own.
  • Verified external recipients without Azure AD. External recipients don't need an Azure AD account or guest invitation. They get a one-time secure link, verify identity, and decrypt locally.
  • Encryption that travels outside Microsoft 365. Outlook plug-in, Gmail extension, Zendesk app, Salesforce app, Intercom app, Freshdesk app — encryption follows the workflow regardless of which surface the file originates from.
Feature comparison

SendSafely and SharePoint side by side.

Each row reflects how the two products approach the same problem. Both companies maintain their own certifications and audit programs — consult each vendor's public documentation for current capabilities.

Feature SendSafely SharePoint
Client-side encryption (before upload) Yes — OpenPGP Server-side at rest; Microsoft holds the keys
Split-key architecture Yes — no admin path to plaintext Microsoft and tenant admins have access
External sharing without a tenant account One-time link + identity verification Azure AD federation or guest account required
Cross-platform reach Outlook, Gmail, four helpdesk apps, REST API Optimized for Microsoft 365
Max file size per send Up to 100 GB Up to 250 GB per file (configurable)
HIPAA BAA On Business and Enterprise plans Within Microsoft compliance framework
Audit log API REST endpoint, JSON records Comprehensive within Microsoft 365 audit

Comparative claims reflect publicly documented behavior of SharePoint as of the page's last update. SharePoint maintains its own product roadmap; consult their documentation for current capabilities.

Why teams choose SendSafely

Four architectural differences that matter.

01

Client-side encryption with split-key custody

SharePoint encrypts at rest server-side; Microsoft holds and manages the keys. SendSafely encrypts on the sender's device with OpenPGP, and the decryption key is split — neither SendSafely nor Microsoft can read the contents on its own.

02

Verified external recipients without Azure AD

External recipients don't need an Azure AD account or guest invitation. They get a one-time secure link, verify identity, and decrypt locally.

03

Encryption that travels outside Microsoft 365

Outlook plug-in, Gmail extension, Zendesk app, Salesforce app, Intercom app, Freshdesk app — encryption follows the workflow regardless of which surface the file originates from.

Who switches

Teams moving from SharePoint to SendSafely.

Teams using SharePoint as their collaboration hub typically pair it with SendSafely for the externally-shared, regulated subset — the part where the file leaves Microsoft 365 and the encryption needs to survive on platforms Microsoft doesn't manage.

  • Microsoft 365 organizations adding end-to-end encryption for regulated workflows
  • Healthcare sending PHI outside the Microsoft tenant under HIPAA
  • Legal teams exchanging files with outside counsel not in your Azure AD
  • Financial services moving deal documents to counterparties on other platforms

SharePoint keeps the internal collaboration. The externally-shared, regulated subset moves to encrypted storage, with the Outlook plug-in covering what still goes out by email. Unity uses that split to keep secrets out of email, Slack, Zendesk, and Jira.

Audited and compliant

The same controls regulated procurement asks for.

Every file is encrypted on the sender's device using OpenPGP. SendSafely sees ciphertext only — the decryption key is split so nobody, not even SendSafely, can read the contents on its own.

Audited annually. SendSafely maintains the certifications regulated industries require.

Compliance & certifications
SOC 2 Type 2 HIPAA PCI DSS GDPR CCPA
Client-side OpenPGP
Files are encrypted on the device before they ever leave it.
Split-key architecture
The decryption key is split so no single party—including SendSafely—can decrypt file contents on its own.
Full audit trail
Every send, recipient open, identity check, and download is logged with timestamps for compliance reporting.
Compare side by side

Ready to see how SendSafely handles your file workflows workflow vs SharePoint?

Real product demo, real questions, no slideware. Bring your toughest SharePoint edge case and we'll walk through the SendSafely architecture against it.