SharePoint Classic vs Modern: What’s the Difference

Overview of SharePoint Classic

First released with SharePoint 2010 and refined through SharePoint 2013, 2016, and 2019, SharePoint Classic is the traditional page-rendering model that many on-prem farms and older SharePoint Online sites still use.

It relies on server-side ASP.NET master pages, classic web parts, and customization tools such as SharePoint Designer and JSLink. This architecture gives administrators deep control over branding and full-trust code, but it also introduces maintenance overhead and upgrade risk.

From a lifecycle standpoint, Classic versions are rapidly approaching (or have already reached) end of support:

• SharePoint 2013 End of Life
• SharePoint Server 2016 End of Life
• SharePoint Server 2019 End of Life (Mainstream ended 9 January 2024)

While Microsoft has stated that the Classic experience “will coexist” with Modern in Microsoft 365 for the foreseeable future, new features – Teams integration, Microsoft Search, Viva Connections are delivered only to Modern sites.

For U.S. organizations comparing SharePoint Classic vs Modern, the Classic experience remains relevant when:

• Line-of-business solutions depend on full-trust farm solutions or legacy workflows.
• Heavy, bespoke branding is required that exceeds Modern’s theming limits.
• Regulatory constraints dictate on-prem hosting and you are still on SharePoint 2016/2019.

However, Classic pages are not responsive by default, carry larger payloads that slow mobile users, and demand regular patching to stay secure. As end-of-life milestones edge closer, most IT leaders treat Classic as a compatibility bridge while they plan phased migrations to Modern or to SharePoint Online.

Overview of SharePoint Modern

Introduced in Microsoft 365 in 2017 and now the default for all new sites, SharePoint Modern replaces the old master-page model with a client-side, React-based framework called SPFx (SharePoint Framework). SPFx loads components asynchronously, making pages faster and fully responsive on any device.

Modern pages surface the Microsoft Search bar in the suite header; results are personal, contextual, and powered by the same index that feeds Teams, Outlook, and Viva Connections. Out of the box, Modern also adds native versioning, column formatting, quick charts, and inline editing, eliminating many JavaScript hacks that classic lists required.

Security and governance benefit from the platform’s “evergreen” nature: updates, zero-day patches, and new features ship automatically to Microsoft 365 tenants, while on-prem customers running SharePoint Server Subscription Edition receive them through the Update Channel. Role-based access control ties directly into Azure AD, and site-level sharing is managed through Microsoft 365 Groups.

Customization shifts from full-trust farm solutions to theme slots, extensions, and Power Automate connectors—approaches that isolate code and survive future upgrades. Because Modern is built on Microsoft Graph APIs, it plugs seamlessly into Teams tabs, Viva dashboards, and Loop components, reducing the effort needed to surface intranet content where employees already work.

In the context of sharepoint classic vs modern, the Modern experience prioritizes performance, mobility, and continuous innovation, positioning it as Microsoft’s strategic path forward for intranets, extranets, and content collaboration.

SharePoint Classic vs Modern: What’s the Difference (Quick Comparison Table)

Need a quick comparison tabl on sharepoint classic vs modern? The matrix below spotlights the biggest functional and operational gaps in one glance.

For detailed timelines and migration guidance, see our posts on SharePoint Classic End of Life, SharePoint 2019 End of Life, and related upgrade paths.

SharePoint Classic vs Modern – Detailed Comparison

Below, we drill into eight areas where sharepoint classic vs modern decisions most often hinge. Each pillar shows why Modern is the strategic target while clarifying the legacy value Classic still carries.

1. User Experience & Accessibility

Modern pages run on SPFx and React, loading components asynchronously and meeting WCAG 2.1 AA out of the box. Classic relies on server-side post-backs and master pages; screen-reader coverage and mobile layout require custom CSS.

2. Performance Engineering

Modern’s single-page architecture shaves 30–50 % off Time to First Byte versus Classic, according to Microsoft’s Page Diagnostics tool. Classic payloads balloon when custom master pages add unused CSS and JS, often breaking the 500 KB guidance for fast-load intranets.

3. Branding & Customization

Classic offers “anything goes”—master pages, farm solutions, JSLink—but every deviation from stock UI becomes an upgrade blocker (see recent SharePoint Classic End of Life notices). Modern constrains branding to JSON themes, header layouts, and SPFx extensions; guardrails protect future updates while still allowing enterprise style guides.

4. Development Model

In Classic, full-trust code runs on the web server, raising patch-day risk. Modern’s SPFx keeps code client-side, authenticated through Azure AD and Microsoft Graph, and supports the same package for Teams tabs or Viva cards—reducing duplicate effort by up to 40 % on multi-channel rollouts.

5. Workflow & Automation

Classic sites lean on 2010/2013 sharepoint workflow engines now deprecated; Microsoft will block new workflow creation in GCC-High tenants this year. Modern pushes Power Automate cloud flows, which integrate with over 1,000 connectors and survive tenant-level upgrades without re-publishing.

6. Security & Compliance

Classic on-prem farms inherit server patching burdens and can lag months behind cumulative updates. Modern in Microsoft 365 receives zero-day fixes automatically and surfaces Sensitivity labels directly in the document library ribbon, closing data-loss gaps Classic admins must script around.

7. Integration Footprint

Embedding Classic pages in Teams requires iframes; Modern web parts register natively as Teams apps and Viva Connections dashboard cards. The same SPFx bundle can also light up in Loop components, giving Modern a future-ready integration runway.

8. Lifecycle & Cost of Ownership

Classic versions face hard deadlines—2013 is already out of support; 2016 exits in 2026; 2019 in 2029. Each upgrade cycle demands hardware refreshes and regression testing. Modern in Microsoft 365 is “evergreen,” turning CapEx into predictable OpEx and avoiding multi-year version jumps.

Key takeaway: Classic still shines for deep server-side customizations or isolated, on-prem mandates, but every other metric—UX, performance, governance, integrations, and total cost—tilts strongly toward Modern. Most U.S. enterprises now treat Classic as a tactical bridge while budgeting phased migrations to Modern sites or directly to SharePoint Online.

SharePoint Classic vs Modern – Advantages and Disadvantages

Understanding the pros and cons on each side of the sharepoint classic vs modern debate helps you decide whether to retain, retire, or run both in parallel.

SharePoint Classic Advantages

• Unlimited server-side customization: master pages, farm solutions, and JSLink let developers control every pixel and process.
• Mature third-party ecosystem: thousands of legacy web parts and add-ins still target Classic.
• On-prem isolation: when data must stay inside a U.S. datacenter you own, Classic on SharePoint 2016/2019 fits the bill.

SharePoint Classic Disadvantages

• Mobile & accessibility gaps: pages are not responsive without custom CSS and fail WCAG checks out of the box.
• High upgrade debt: custom master pages break during version jumps; each patch cycle demands regression testing.
• Workflow deprecation: SharePoint 2013 workflows disabled for new tenants on 2 Apr 2024 and fully retired on 2 Apr 2026.
• Finite support clocks: SharePoint 2016 exits support July 2026; 2019 in July 2026, forcing eventual migration costs.

SharePoint Modern Advantages

• Responsive, performant UI: Powered by SPFx and React—pages load up to 50 % faster and adapt to any device.
• Evergreen security: Zero-day patches, sensitivity labels, and Conditional Access arrive automatically in Microsoft 365.
• Native integrations: The same SPFx bundle can surface in Teams tabs, Viva dashboards, and Loop components without re-coding.
• Low-code automation: Power Automate replaces deprecated workflows with 1,000+ connectors and cloud resilience.

SharePoint Modern Disadvantages

• Branding guardrails: You style via themes and extensions, not master pages; extreme designs may feel constrained.
• Licensing shift: Moving to Microsoft 365 replaces CapEx hardware with OpEx subscription fees, which can surprise budget models.
• Feature gaps for niche scenarios: Certain legacy web parts and sandbox solutions aren’t supported, requiring rebuild or third-party replacements.

Bottom line: Classic still has a place for deep custom, on-prem workloads, but Modern delivers speed, security, and future-proof integrations that most U.S. enterprises now treat as the long-term destination.

SharePoint Classic vs Modern: Which Is Better for Your Business?

Choosing between SharePoint Classic vs Modern is rarely a beauty contest; it’s a risk-versus-value decision that hinges on four core factors—custom code, compliance posture, cost model, and change readiness.

Decision Framework

1. Inventory Dependencies Audit farm solutions, InfoPath forms, and SharePoint workflow usage. Anything that blocks Modern should trigger a refactor roadmap or a migration plan such as Migrate from SharePoint 2019 to SharePoint Online.
2. Map Compliance to Platform If strict residency rules persist, run SharePoint Server Subscription Edition with Modern pages on-prem while you phase out Classic UI.
3. Pilot, Measure, Iterate Spin up a Modern communication site, surface it in Teams, and benchmark page-load times against your Classic portal. Organizations typically record a 30–50 % improvement in Time to First Byte.
4. Plan for End-of-Life Set budgets and timelines against looming dates: SharePoint 2013 End of Life (Apr 2023), SharePoint 2016 End of Life (Jul 2026), SharePoint 2019 End of Life (Jul 2029). Treat Classic as a compatibility bridge, not a destination.

Bottom line

• Stay on Classic only if irreplaceable full-trust code or on-prem mandates demand it—and start refactoring now.
• Adopt Modern for any new intranet, collaboration hub, or external portal; you’ll gain speed, security, and seamless integration with Teams, Viva, and Microsoft 365 analytics.

When in doubt, blend both: run Classic for legacy workloads while Modern sites drive forward-looking initiatives—then shrink the Classic footprint with each successful migration wave.

Conclusion

In the end, SharePoint Classic vs Modern is less about which interface looks fresher and more about how quickly you can deliver secure, mobile-ready collaboration without accruing technical debt.

Classic still serves niche needs—think full-trust farm solutions or on-prem mandates—but its looming SharePoint Classic End of Life deadlines make it a temporary refuge, not a long-term home. Modern, by contrast, gives you an evergreen platform that plugs directly into Teams, Viva, and Power Automate, all while slashing page-load times and patch overhead.

If you’re on SharePoint 2016 or 2019, begin mapping dependencies and budgeting for a phased migrate from SharePoint 2019 to SharePoint Online program now; every month of delay multiplies rework later. For new portals, choose Modern by default and let its responsive design, Microsoft Search, and low-code automation drive user adoption.

SharePoint Classic vs Modern FAQs

1. What is the difference between classic and modern SharePoint list?

Classic lists load whole pages and rely on legacy forms; modern lists use SPFx, support inline editing, conditional formatting, quick filters, and render responsively on any device—no custom CSS needed.

2. Is SharePoint Classic going away?

Not immediately. Classic remains for backward-compatibility, but Microsoft ships new features only to modern. On-prem classic versions hit end of support in 2026 (2016 & 2019), so plan migrations now.

3. How do I change from classic to modern SharePoint?

In SharePoint Online, open Site Settings → Advanced settings → List experience and choose New experience. For pages, run PnP-PowerShell Invoke-PnPPageTransformation or rebuild sites as modern Communication or Team sites.

4. What are the benefits of modern SharePoint?

Faster page loads, native mobile responsiveness, Microsoft Search, easier theming, built-in Viva/Teams integration, Power Automate workflows, and automatic security updates—reducing maintenance time and boosting user adoption.

5. How do I exit Classic SharePoint?

If a list or library shows “Return to classic,” click the button to leave. For entire sites, disable classic mode in the SharePoint Admin Center or switch the list experience to New.

6. How to create a classic SharePoint site?

From the SharePoint Admin Center, select Create site → Other options → Team Site (classic experience), or run New-PnPTenantSite with template STS#0 to provision directly via PowerShell.

7. What is a SharePoint modern site?

A site whose pages, lists, and libraries use the modern SPFx interface—featuring responsive design, Microsoft Search, and integration hooks for Teams, Viva, and Loop components.

8. How to tell if a SharePoint site is classic or modern?

Modern pages have the app-bar and no “Return to classic” link. Classic pages show the older ribbon and may display a “Try the new experience” banner.

9. How to change classic view to modern view in SharePoint Online

Open the list/library, choose Settings → List settings → Advanced settings, set List experience to New. Repeat for each list, or use Set-PnPList with -Experience New to bulk-update.