Google Classroom
Microsoft SharePoint
| Feature | Google Classroom | Microsoft SharePoint |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $4/mo | From $5/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Best For | k12-schools, teachers, school-districts, tutors | enterprise, large-organizations, it-departments, microsoft-users |
| Founded | 2014 | 2001 |
| Assignments | ✓ | ✗ |
| Grading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Google Meet Integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Discussion Boards | ✓ | ✗ |
| Guardians | ✓ | ✗ |
| Originality Reports | ✓ | ✗ |
| Class Stream | ✓ | ✗ |
| Document Management | ✗ | ✓ |
| Team Sites | ✗ | ✓ |
| Intranet | ✗ | ✓ |
| Workflows | ✗ | ✓ |
| Search | ✗ | ✓ |
| Compliance | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Google Classroom Pros
- Completely free for schools using Google Workspace for Education
- Seamless integration with Google Drive, Docs, and Meet
- Simple interface that students and teachers learn quickly
- Supports assignments, quizzes, and discussion boards
✗ Google Classroom Cons
- Limited analytics and reporting compared to dedicated LMS
- Requires Google Workspace ecosystem
- Less customizable than platforms like Canvas or Moodle
✓ Microsoft SharePoint Pros
- Enterprise-grade
- Deep M365 integration
- Customizable sites
- Version control
✗ Microsoft SharePoint Cons
- Complex setup
- Requires admin expertise
- Can be slow
The Verdict
Google Classroom is built for k12 schools and teachers, with a focus on assignments and grading. Microsoft SharePoint targets enterprise and large organizations and leads with document-management and team-sites.
Pricing is close: Google Classroom starts at $4/mo versus $5/mo for Microsoft SharePoint — not a deciding factor on its own.
Google Classroom has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Microsoft SharePoint requires a paid subscription from day one.
Feature-wise, Google Classroom offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Microsoft SharePoint takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.