SharePoint Foundation 2016 Alternatives?

In this hint, we’ll answer What’re SharePoint Foundation 2016 and SharePoint Foundation 2019 Alternatives?

You might also like to read SharePoint Designer 2016 and InfoPath 2016 in SharePoint Server 2016, What are the alternatives?

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SharePoint Foundation 2016

Since SharePoint 2007, we can get a free SharePoint Edition that includes the core functionality and fewer features than the commercial edition.

• In SharePoint 2007, there are
  • A free edition called WSS that stands for Windows SharePoint Service,
  • A commercial edition called MOSS that stands for Microsoft SharePoint Server.
• Also, in SharePoint 2010 and 2013, there are
  • A free edition called SharePoint Foundation.
  • A commercial edition called SharePoint Server.

So it was expected that the SharePoint 2016 will walk along the same lines to have SharePoint Foundation 2016 as a free edition. but unfortunately based on the below official Microsoft article and other articles. the SharePoint Foundation 2016 is no longer available in the SharePoint Server 2016 release.

• Simply, What’s new and deprecated features in SharePoint Server 2016?
• What’s deprecated or removed from SharePoint Server 2016.

SharePoint Foundation 2019 is no longer available in the SharePoint Server 2019 release.

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SharePoint Foundation 2016 Alternatives

In this section, we’ll list the available alternatives for SharePoint Foundation 2016.

• Using SharePoint Foundation 2013 as a free version.
• Using SharePoint 2016 as a trial version.
• Using MSDN Subscription.

Using SharePoint Foundation 2013 as a free version

Let’s consider SharePoint 2016 has a SharePoint Foundation 2016 with the core functionality. but most of all SharePoint 2016 new features will be only available in SharePoint Server 2016 commercial edition as the previous SharePoint 2013 version.

So What’s the problem to continue using the SharePoint Foundation 2013 as a free version. especially, most of the SharePoint 2016 new features will not be available in the free edition.

Download SharePoint Foundation 2013

To download SharePoint Foundation 2013, check the below official links from Microsoft:

• SharePoint Foundation 2013.
• SharePoint Foundation 2013 with SP1.

SharePoint Foundation 2013 End of Life

You should be aware of the end of support for SharePoint Foundation 2013 with SP1 ended on 10 April 2018. meanwhile, if you have patched your SharePoint Foundation 2013 with SharePoint Foundation 2013 April 2018 CU, you will get extended support until 11 April 2023.

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Using SharePoint 2016 Trial Version

On the other side, if you would like to explore the new features of SharePoint 2016 without buying a SharePoint 2016 license. In this case, you can use SharePoint 2016 as a trial version for (180 days) 6 months. 

SharePoint 2016 License Key

To use SharePoint 2016 as a trial version, you should use the below trial keys based on your selected edition:

• Enterprise trial product key: NQGJR-63HC8-XCRQH-MYVCH-3J3QR
• Standard trial product key: RTNGH-MQRV6-M3BWQ-DB748-VH7DM

Note: You can’t use the SharePoint trail version in a production environment.

Note: After the SharePoint trial period has expired, You will not be able to extend the evaluation period, and you should provide a SharePoint product key in Central Administration to activate SharePoint.

For walkthroughs check Extend SharePoint Trial Period

Download SharePoint 2016 Trial Version

To download SharePoint 2016 Trial Version, check the official link from Microsoft at SharePoint 2016.

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Using MSDN Subscription

MSDN subscription is also another option to use SharePoint 2016 as a free edition with the full functionality. 

So If you are working for a company that has an MSDN subscription, you will be able to use SharePoint 2016 for free for development purposes. but remember you can’t use it in a production environment.

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SharePoint Foundation 2019

As we earlier mentioned, also there is no SharePoint Foundation 2019 in the SharePoint Server 2019 release. therefore, you only have to use

• SharePoint 2019 Trial Version.
• MSDN Subscription.

SharePoint 2019 Trial Version

SharePoint 2019 also provides a trial version for 180 days using the below evaluation keys:

SharePoint 2019 License Key

• Enterprise trial product key: M692G-8N2JP-GG8B2-2W2P7-YY7J6
• Standard trial product key: F2DPD-HPNPV-WHKMK-G7C38-2G22J

Download SharePoint 2019 Trial Version

To download SharePoint 2019 Trial Version, check the official link from Microsoft at SharePoint 2019.

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Conclusion

In my humble opinion, there is NO frank alternative for SharePoint Foundation 2016. however, we can summarize the SharePoint Foundation 2016 Alternatives as the following:

1. Continue using SharePoint Foundation 2013.
2. Using 6 months valid trail version for SharePoint 2016.
3. If your company has MSDN subscription, you would be able to use SharePoint 2016 for free for development purposes.

Please don’t hesitate to share with us your SharePoint Foundation 2016 alternatives in comments.

Applies To

• SharePoint 2019.
• SharePoint 2016.

You might also like to read

• Simply, What’s new and deprecated features in SharePoint Server 2016?
• SharePoint Designer 2016 and InfoPath 2016 in SharePoint Server 2016, What are the alternatives?
• Extend SharePoint Trial Period.
• Install SharePoint 2016 step by step.

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