Clarifying the Different SharePoint Products from a High Level

Nomenclature has been a challenge all the way back to the beginning of the SharePoint product line. Without recounting the various different names the different SharePoint products have carried, there have always been two different “flavors” of the SharePoint products. There has been the “free” version, which organizations can install without having to purchase SharePoint server licenses or CALs (client access licenses) from Microsoft. The “not free” version of the product required that the organization purchase both SharePoint server licenses and end-user CALs.

The following sections will clarify the differences between the products to help you understand the pros and cons of choosing SharePoint Foundation 2010 or SharePoint Server 2010 for use in the organization.