Classic vs. Modern SharePoint Sites - What’s Best for Your Organization?

Choosing the right type of SharePoint site is a critical decision for organizations looking to build an effective digital workplace. This pin explores the key differences between Classic SharePoint sites and Modern SharePoint sites, helping you decide which one is best suited for your organization’s needs.

Classic SharePoint sites have been around for years and offer a familiar experience for many long-time SharePoint users. They provide more traditional customization options through master pages, custom scripts, and extensive design control. For organizations that require deep, specific customizations and have legacy systems or existing intranets built on Classic, this approach can still make sense. However, Classic sites often feel outdated, lack mobile responsiveness, and can be harder to maintain in today’s fast-changing digital landscape.

Modern SharePoint sites, on the other hand, were designed with today’s workforce in mind. They feature clean, responsive layouts that adapt beautifully across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. The user experience is more intuitive, with drag-and-drop functionality, modern web parts, and seamless integration with Microsoft 365 apps like Teams, Power BI, and Power Automate. This makes it much easier for employees to collaborate, share content, and engage with the intranet.

Modern sites also prioritize performance and security. With built-in cloud capabilities and ongoing Microsoft updates, organizations benefit from faster load times, improved reliability, and reduced reliance on heavy custom coding. In addition, features like hub sites and communication sites make it easy to connect different parts of the intranet, creating a more cohesive digital experience.

For IT teams, Modern sites reduce complexity since much of the functionality comes out-of-the-box. For employees, it means better usability and adoption—critical factors for a successful intranet. While some advanced customizations available in Classic are limited in Modern, the trade-off is worth it for most organizations seeking scalability, simplicity, and long-term support.

This pin gives viewers a visual comparison of Classic vs. Modern SharePoint sites, showing differences in design, customization, responsiveness, and integration. It helps businesses understand the strengths and drawbacks of each option so they can choose the best path forward. Whether you’re modernizing an existing intranet or building a new one, this guide shows why Modern SharePoint sites are generally the smarter, future-proof choice for 2025 and beyond.

1. Classic vs. Modern SharePoint Sites -
What’s Best for Your Organization?
SharePoint Services
For nearly two decades, SharePoint has been at the core of
enterprise collaboration, document management, and
intranet solutions. Over time, it has evolved from
the Classic SharePoint experience to today’s Modern
SharePoint experience.
Many organizations now face a common question: Should
we continue with Classic sites, or transition to Modern
sites?
The decision is not as simple as flipping a switch, it depends
on your existing environment, level of customization, user
adoption needs, and your digital transformation strategy.

2. Let’s explore both approaches in depth to help you make
the right choice.

3. What are Classic SharePoint Sites?
Classic SharePoint sites represent the long-standing
interface that many enterprises have relied on for years.
Key Characteristics:
Traditional User Interface: A familiar, structured
layout that legacy SharePoint users know well.
Extensive Customization: Supports master pages,
page layouts, and script injection, giving developers
granular control.
Legacy Tools: Compatible with SharePoint Designer
workflows and InfoPath forms, which are still critical
in some organizations.
Detailed Control: Offers deep configuration options
for site navigation, branding, and permissions.
Challenges with Classic Sites:

4. Outdated, less intuitive design compared to modern
web standards.
Limited responsiveness for mobile users.
Heavy reliance on custom development, increasing
maintenance costs.
Only maintained for compatibility, no new features
are being developed for Classic.
Want to experience Modern SharePoint in action?
Check out our Modern Intranet Templates
What are Modern SharePoint Sites?
Modern SharePoint sites were designed to deliver a simpler,
faster, and mobile-first experience. They align closely with
Microsoft’s cloud-first vision and integrate tightly with
Microsoft 365.

5. Key Characteristics:
Responsive Design: Works seamlessly across
desktops, tablets, and mobile devices without extra
customization.
Engaging Page Experience: Built with
modular webparts   that users can easily add or
rearrange.
Microsoft 365 Integration: Native connections
with Teams, OneDrive, Viva, and Power Platform.
Performance and Security: Faster loading pages and
more robust security controls.
Continuous Innovation: All new SharePoint features
such as Viva Connections dashboards and modern web
parts are released only in the Modern experience.
Challenges with Modern Sites:
Branding is limited compared to Classic, no master
pages.
Some complex legacy customizations require
redevelopment using SharePoint Framework (SPFx).
Older tools like InfoPath and Designer workflows are
not directly supported.
Classic vs. Modern SharePoint: A Comparison

6. Aspect Classic SharePoint Modern SharePoint
Design & UX Traditional, functional Clean, responsive, user-friendly
Customization Master pages, scripts SPFx web parts, site themes
Ease of Use Requires technical skills Non-technical users can build pages
Mobile Support Limited, add-ons required Responsive out-of-the-box
Integration Focused on SharePoint only Connected with Microsoft 365 ecosystem
Performance Slower, page-heavy Lightweight and fast
Workflows & Forms SharePoint Designer, InfoPathPower Automate, Power Apps
Future Roadmap Supported, but static Microsoft’s focus for new innovations
Ready to migrate? Schedule a Discovery Call with our
SharePoint Experts.
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When to use Classic Sites
You rely heavily on custom master pages or page
layouts.

7. Your business processes depend on legacy workflows
or InfoPath forms.
Redesigning existing customizations for Modern is not
currently feasible.
When to use Modern Sites
You want a mobile-friendly, user-friendly intranet.
Your organization is adopting or already
using Microsoft 365 services.
You want to empower business users to create and
manage sites without IT involvement.
You are planning for a future-proof digital
workplace with Microsoft’s latest innovations.
Migration Considerations
Transitioning from Classic to Modern is not automatic, it
requires thoughtful planning.
1. Audit Current Sites: Identify where Classic features
(workflows, scripts, custom branding) are in use.
2. Adopt SPFx: Rebuild custom components using the
SharePoint Framework for Modern compatibility.

8. 3. Leverage Power Platform: Replace Designer workflows
with Power Automate and InfoPath forms with Power
Apps.
4. Plan Change Management: Provide user training and
adoption strategies to ensure a smooth transition.
Final Thoughts
Classic SharePoint sites will continue to be supported, but
they are becoming a legacy option. All of Microsoft’s
ongoing investments, security updates, and new
capabilities are focused on the Modern experience.
For most organizations, the Modern approach is the better
choice. It delivers a more engaging design, improved
performance, stronger Microsoft 365 integration, and
long-term sustainability. Classic sites still serve a purpose
where legacy systems exist, but if your goal is to build a
future-ready digital workplace, Modern SharePoint should
be your destination.
In summary:
Classic = legacy and stability, but limited growth.
Modern = innovation, usability, and long-term value.
Looking to build a Modern SharePoint Intranet?
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