Sharepoint Online license Query

[Vivek Parashar]

Hi,

If we need to give only SharePoint site access, can it be done without assigning E3 license to the user ?

Thanks

Vivek

[#2]

Technically, it can be done without assigning any license, as SPO does not enforce licensing requirements. Still, you must make sure that you are not violating the license agreement, so you need at least a SharePoint Online Plan 1 license. If you only have E3 licenses in your tenant, it doesn't make sense to assign such due to its cost, so it's best if you simply purchase few standalone SharePoint Online Plan 1 licenses, or a Kiosk one, etc.

[#3]

What do you mean by SharePoint Online Plan 1 license.

In my organization, we have provided the E3 licenses to all but now we are getting request that for few new users can we just provide SP Online site access as they don't need to use other O365 suite features/products.

Thanks

[#4]

There are other licenses you can purchase to suppliment E3 licenses. As Vasil mentioned SharePoint Online Plan 1. Kiosk or F1 license is a nice inexpensive license but the SHarePoint usage is supposed to be limited to consumer actions. So if they are just browsing and consuming content, not creating etc. F1 license is all you need. Since you can get more bang for you buck with F1 (E-mail, Teams, OneDrive etc.) and it cost nearly the same as a SharePoint online license.

[#5]

Firstly, there is no 'licence free' option for SharePoint directly. Bear in mind too the underpinning services that run SharePoint such as Groups and Active Directory. I have found the E1 licence to be effective. Microsoft has recently revamped the F1 licence which helps. To be compliant a user must have a licence. You might even find considering on premises solutions efficient if you want to lock down costs.