SharePoint vs. Confluence
Which collaboration platform suits your Swiss enterprise? We compare features, costs, and data privacy — and show when a migration makes sense.
SharePoint vs. Confluence – Quick Answer
SharePoint Online is typically the more cost-efficient choice for organisations already on Microsoft 365: it is included in the licence, offers professional document management with metadata, DLP and retention policies, and is natively integrated with Teams and Copilot. Confluence is stronger as a pure wiki and knowledge management tool, particularly recommended in Atlassian environments with Jira. For Swiss organisations with data protection requirements, SharePoint Online via Microsoft Azure offers directly available CH/EU data residency.
weeks typical intranet project duration at CNEXT
CNEXTSharePoint vs. Confluence – Feature Comparison
| Criterion | SharePoint Online | Confluence Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 / Teams IntegrationSharePoint native in M365; Confluence via app integration | ||
| Included in M365 licenceSharePoint Online is included in M365 Business Basic+ | ||
| Data residency Switzerland / EUSharePoint: Microsoft CH/EU data centres; Confluence Cloud: Atlassian data centres | ||
| Swiss DPA / GDPR complianceSharePoint: Microsoft 365 DPA; Confluence requires separate contract | ||
| Document Management (DMS)SharePoint with metadata, retention, DLP; Confluence wiki-oriented | ||
| Wiki & Knowledge ManagementSharePoint modern wiki possible; Confluence traditionally stronger | ||
| Power Automate / Workflows | ||
| Jira IntegrationConfluence native in Atlassian suite; SharePoint via middleware | ||
| Microsoft Copilot / AI AgentsSharePoint with Copilot native; Confluence via Atlassian Intelligence | ||
| SharePoint Framework (SPFx) | ||
| On-Premises version available | ||
| Licensing model | Included in M365 | Separate subscription |
| Monthly cost (100 users) | ~CHF 500–1,200 | ~CHF 1,200–2,500 |
When is a migration from Confluence to SharePoint worthwhile?
Migration recommended when…
- You are already paying for Microsoft 365 licences
- Teams is your primary communication tool
- Professional DMS with metadata is needed
- Confluence licence costs should be reduced
- Microsoft Copilot / AI agents are planned
- Data residency in CH/EU is required
Keep Confluence when…
- Jira is deeply integrated in your processes
- No Microsoft 365 stack is in place
- A strong wiki culture exists in the team
- The Atlassian ecosystem is strategically prioritised
- Confluence-specific macros are heavily used
Migrate Confluence to SharePoint
CNEXT guides Swiss organisations through the entire migration process: inventory, content mapping, technical migration, permissions, and staff training. Typical project duration: 4–12 weeks.
What is SharePoint Online and how does it differ from Confluence?
Microsoft SharePoint Online is the collaborative document and intranet platform in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem — with native integration into Teams, Outlook, Power Platform and Microsoft Copilot. Confluence is Atlassian's wiki and documentation platform, primarily optimised for software development teams. For Swiss companies using Microsoft 365, SharePoint is the Swiss DPA-compliant default choice with data residency in Swiss data centres.
additional cost for SharePoint within a Microsoft 365 subscription
Microsoft Licensing 2024typical CNEXT migration timeline from Confluence to SharePoint
CNEXT project experience 2024“Companies already using Microsoft 365 are paying for a Confluence licence they don't need — SharePoint is already included and significantly more future-proof through Copilot integration.”
Patrick Trapp— SharePoint Architect, CNEXT
Updated April 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between SharePoint and Confluence?
SharePoint is Microsoft's platform for document management, intranet, and collaboration, directly integrated in Microsoft 365. Confluence is Atlassian's wiki and knowledge management tool, working closely with Jira. SharePoint is the stronger document manager; Confluence is the stronger wiki tool.
Is SharePoint included in Microsoft 365 or does it cost extra?
SharePoint Online is included in all Microsoft 365 Business and Enterprise licences from Business Basic (from approx. CHF 5 per user/month). Confluence is a separate Atlassian product with its own licence model — for 100 users, Confluence Cloud costs approx. CHF 10–15 per user/month.
Which platform meets Swiss Data Protection Act (nDSG) requirements?
Both platforms can be operated in compliance with the Swiss DPA. SharePoint Online via Microsoft 365 with EU/CH data residency and the Microsoft Data Processing Agreement. Confluence Cloud stores data primarily in Atlassian data centres (USA/EU); CH data residency requires dedicated configuration or on-premises. CNEXT advises on privacy-compliant configuration of both systems.
Can CNEXT migrate from Confluence to SharePoint?
Yes. CNEXT carries out Confluence-to-SharePoint migrations, including content transfer, permissions, and staff training. Typical migration duration is 4–12 weeks depending on data volume. We offer a free initial assessment.
For which organisations does CNEXT recommend SharePoint?
We recommend SharePoint for organisations already on Microsoft 365 that need deep Teams integration, professional document management (DMS) with metadata and retention policies, or wish to deploy Microsoft Copilot and AI agents. For pure Atlassian environments with Jira, Confluence may be the better choice.
How long does a SharePoint intranet implementation take with CNEXT?
CNEXT can deliver a modern SharePoint intranet in 4–12 weeks, depending on scope and number of integrations. We start with a Discovery Workshop to structure your requirements and define a realistic timeline.
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Last updated: April 2026