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The current version is SharePoint 2013. SharePoint Online is when Microsoft manages SharePoint in their data centers and you access it over the Internet. SharePoint On Premise is when your local IT gurus manage SharePoint in your company data center.
SharePoint Server is a locally-hosted platform that your company owns and operates. SharePoint Online is a cloud-based service provided directly from Microsoft. They take care of the identity management and architecture, you tell them how many sites to create and what to call them.
What is the difference between SharePoint 2013 and Office 365?
Certain Office 365 subscription plans include a subscription to Office desktop applications in addition to cloud-based services and Microsoft SharePoint is a collaboration, sharing, and document editing service using internal and external sites.
Can you use SharePoint as a server?
If you’re in SharePoint Server, you can create a team or a number of other types of sites. You can use the sites as a secure place to store, organize, share, and access information from any device. All you need is a web browser, such as Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox.
While SharePoint can be purchased separately, it technically falls under the Office 365 umbrella of services. The cloud subscription to Office 365 offers Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as Outlook email, Yammer for instant communications, Skype for video conferencing, and storage on OneDrive.
SharePoint Online, while available on Office 365, is a collaborative platform that integrates with Microsoft Office. While SharePoint Online is a component of the cloud-based Office 365, it is available as a standalone product.