Owl mascot on a branch, holding a love letter in her beak

KnowledgeOwl vs SharePoint

The key difference

KnowledgeOwl is purpose-built for documentation with powerful search, intuitive editing, and features like built-in glossaries. It's a knowledge base software. That's it, and we're really good at it.

SharePoint is a document management system where documentation is one use case among many, including file storage, intranets, team sites, and enterprise content management.

Marybeth Alexander, KnowledgeOwl’s CEO

3 reasons companies choose
KnowledgeOwl over SharePoint

1

Simple to use, no IT required

KnowledgeOwl's intuitive interface means your team can start creating documentation immediately, with no extensive training or technical expertise needed.

SharePoint has a steep learning curve and typically requires a dedicated IT administrator. Many organizations report it takes weeks or months to set up properly, and employees often need ongoing training to use it effectively.

2

A search that finds what you're looking for

KKnowledgeOwl has AI-powered search with typo tolerance built-in, so readers find what they need in seconds.

SharePoint search is a common pain point—users report it can take 30-60 seconds to load results, and critical information often remains hidden due to indexing problems. Teams frequently spend 30+ minutes searching for documents.

3

Transparent, predictable pricing

KnowledgeOwl charges only for Authors who create content. Readers—even those who need to login—are free and unlimited.

SharePoint pricing starts at $5/user/month but quickly becomes complex. You'll need licenses for every user, plus additional storage fees, implementation costs , ongoing IT support, and regular training expenses.

It's world-class, really a software that's got it all as a single source of truth

"I totally love this knowledge base! It's world-class, really a software that's got it all as a single source of truth. It's robust, user-friendly, full of excellent knowledge management features that surprised me after implementation. Can customize content superbly, can integrate and has a search function that's really tops. A platform I frequently use for its top drawer capabilities."

Danny Green

30-days trial, no credit card required

Using SharePoint? You can import your articles instantly

features

Purpose-built for documentation vs. collaboration platform

Feature
KnowledgeOwl
SharePoint
WYSIWYG editor
✓ Clean, intuitive
✓ Rich text editing
Powerful AI-assisted search with typo tolerance
✓ Built-in, no setup needed
~ Slow, frequent indexing issues
Granular access control and permissions
✓ Robust and flexible
~ Complex, requires IT expertise
Single Sign-On (SSO)
✓ Available on Business and Enterprise
✓ Available
Public API & webhooks
✓ Available on Pro, Business, and Enterprise
✓ Available
Reusable content snippets
✓ Yes
~ Via templates and custom solutions
Feature set to keep content fresh
✓ Automatic reviews, reminders, and link checks
✗ No built-in workflow
Easy to navigate interface
✓ Content hierarchy, breadcrumbs, and more make find the info you need easy
x Confusing interface makes it hard to discover information
Analytics & reporting
✓ Built-in robust analytics
~ Limited (requires configuration)
Help widget integration
✓ on Enterprise
~ Via custom development
Purpose-build for documentation creation and management
✓ Yes
✗ Documenation storage and intranet
Built-in glossary with hover definitions
✓ Yes
✗ No
Version control & change tracking
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Internal and external docs management
✓ Built-in
x Private access only

pricing

See how KnowledgeOwl pricing compares to SharePoint

Pay per author, not per reader

KnowledgeOwl charges you only for Authors, the people who write and edit the content in your knowledge base. Readers — even those who need to login — are free (and unlimited).

Per-user licensing plus hidden costs

SharePoint charges for both readers and authors, which can lead to quickly escalating costs. You'll also need to budget for implementation, training, additional storage, and IT costs.

30-days trial, no credit card required

Using SharePoint? You can import your articles instantly

Support

See how KnowledgeOwl's support compares to SharePoint

At KnowledgeOwl, great support isn’t a premium feature — it’s included.

Real humans, real expertise: Email directly with documentation experts who understand your use case.

  • Fast responses: We answer most support requests within hours, not days.

  • Emergency phone support: Talk to someone immediately when it matters most.

  • Proactive help: In-app support, comprehensive documentation, and regular webinars keep you ahead of issues.

  • Same great support on every plan: No need to upgrade just to get help.

SharePoint support

  • Community support: Access to Microsoft documentation and community forums.

  • Standard plans: Basic support included, but complex issues often require escalation.

  • Enterprise plans: Dedicated support available at higher pricing tiers.

  • Third-party consultants: Many organizations hire external SharePoint experts for setup, troubleshooting, and ongoing maintenance.

SharePoint support

  • Community support: Access to Microsoft documentation and community forums.

  • Standard plans: Basic support included, but complex issues often require escalation.

  • Enterprise plans: Dedicated support available at higher pricing tiers.

  • Third-party consultants: Many organizations hire external SharePoint experts for setup, troubleshooting, and ongoing maintenance.

SharePoint support

  • Community support: Access to Microsoft documentation and community forums.

  • Standard plans: Basic support included, but complex issues often require escalation.

  • Enterprise plans: Dedicated support available at higher pricing tiers.

  • Third-party consultants: Many organizations hire external SharePoint experts for setup, troubleshooting, and ongoing maintenance.

30-days trial, no credit card required

Using SharePoint? You can import your articles instantly

Which one should you choose?

Easy to find information with powerful, fast search

  • Pay only for content creators—readers are free and unlimited

  • Perfect for support teams who need quick access to answers

  • Simple to use and navigate, no IT expertise required

  • Professional, customizable branding to match your style

  • Works for both internal documentation and customer support

  • Start creating documentation in minutes, not months

Enterprise document management and storage

  • Deep integration with Microsoft 365 ecosystem

  • Robust version control and file management

  • Suitable for complex enterprise workflows

  • Often used by organizations that are happy using Microsoft tools

What KnowledgeOwl customers say

This is what we asked our customers and hundreds of them responded. Here’s some of what they said.

30-days trial, no credit card required

Using SharePoint? You can import your articles instantly

"Its got a lot going for it definitely! Besides being a user-friendly, easy-to-set up platform, its essentially built to empower users. I love its knowledge base, its capacity for self service, its insights and analytics, its ability to integrate tangibly.

I've come to also appreciate its search and branding functionality too from a Marketing perspective. If you've used Knowledgeowl, you know it all."

Lisa Rothrock, Director of Brand Strategy

"I totally love this knowledge base! It's world-class, really an App that's got it all as a single source of truth. It's robust, user-friendly, full of excellent knowledge management features that surprised me after implementation. Can customize content superbly, can integrate and has a search function that's really tops. A platform i frequently use for its top drawer capabilities."

Danny Green, Content Advisor

What an amazing Knowledge Base platform. Easy-to-set up, user-friendly, integrates superbly, has got brilliant user support team. I use it a lot. Its exceptional in understanding your business problems and solving them. Its highly customizable as well. If you know, you know.

Arthur McKinnon, Regional Managing Editor

It's intuitive and easy to understand, it works well, and is simple to get up and running. The team that built it clearly knew a lot about managing knowledge and I go to their website for recommendations and best practices. Their customer support is extremely knowledgeable and responsive.

Verified User in Higher Education

KnowledgeOwl has incredible customer service! Not only is their response time incredible, but their overall mentality towards service is what truly stands out. When I reach out to them I don't feel like my request is a ticket waiting to be worked - I know they have read my emails & are replying to me specifically (vs an auto reply) with knowledgeable responses. They make doing business so easy! (& enjoyable!)

Jessica Howard

Intuitive, smart, easy to use and the most positive, responsive, and caring Customer Support team on the planet!

Jennifer Alford

I've managed help centers on Zendesk, Help Scout, and KnowledgeOwl. KnowledgeOwl is the easiest and most comfortable to use by far. Even with my limited code knowledge, I've been able to evolve my info architecture without breaking links, add collapsing sections to break up long topics, and install custom headers to set certain articles apart.

Diane Gilleland

The user interface to create articles is very easy to use and straightforward. It is also very customizable with CSS. So we can brand it to match our style. Not to mention the customer service is top notch. They take it to the next level!

Jacquie Witte

Right out of the gate, let me say that if you are looking for an efficient, reliable, and intuitive knowledge base software, look no further! KnowledgeOwl changed the game for us when we switched to them 7 years ago, and it keeps making my job easier with their frequently released enhancements and exceptional support…

Sandi Olson

How teams are using KnowledgeOwl

Loved by 3,200+ knowledge base authors in software companies around the world

Owl mascot flying

Get started with KnowledgeOwl in 3 easy steps

1

Create your knowledge base for free in just a few minutes

screenshot of KnowledgeOwl app

2

Migrate your articles with 1:1 help from the KnowledgeOwl team

screenshot of booking calendar

3

Easily update and share your docs with your team and customers

screenshot of Support Knowledge Base by KnowledgeOwl
Owl mascot flying

Get started with KnowledgeOwl in 3 easy steps

1

Create your knowledge base for free in just a few minutes

screenshot of KnowledgeOwl app

2

Migrate your articles with 1:1 help from the KnowledgeOwl team

screenshot of booking calendar

3

Easily update and share your docs with your team and customers

screenshot of Support Knowledge Base by KnowledgeOwl
Owl mascot flying

Get started with KnowledgeOwl in 3 easy steps

1

Create your knowledge base for free in just a few minutes

screenshot of KnowledgeOwl app

2

Migrate your articles with 1:1 help from the KnowledgeOwl team

screenshot of booking calendar

3

Easily update and share your docs with your team and customers

screenshot of Support Knowledge Base by KnowledgeOwl