--- title: Intranet vs. Extranet - What's The Difference? description: Choosing between an intranet and an extranet is easy. If you are looking for advanced communication and collaboration, an intranet is your best option.  image: https://blog.definity.io/hubfs/3232.jpg --- [![Definity Logo-color 1](https://blog.definity.io/hubfs/Definity%20Logo-color%201.svg)](https://blog.definity.io/) - [What We Do](https://blog.definity.io/blog) - [Who We Are](https://blog.definity.io/blog) - [Our Work](https://blog.definity.io/blog) - [Engagement Model](https://blog.definity.io/blog) - [Resources](https://blog.definity.io/blog) [Contact us](https://497782.hs-sites.com/definity-contact-us) ☰ Blog # Definity Discourse Aug 21, 2020 # Intranet vs. Extranet - What's The Difference? ![Intranet vs. Extranet - What's The Difference?](https://blog.definity.io/hubfs/3232.jpg) Do you know that [15 percent](http://www.va-interactive.com/inbusiness/editorial/biztech/ibt/extranet) of the leading US companies have either created an extranet or are in the process of doing so? There is one very compelling reason for that – organizations with private internal portals gain [20 to 25 percent](https://dynamicsignal.com/2017/04/21/employee-productivity-statistics-every-stat-need-know/#:~:text=Productivity%20improves%20by%2020%2D25%25%20in%20organizations%20with%20connected%20employees.&text=Teams%20with%20high%20employee%20engagement,than%20those%20with%20low%20engagement.) more efficiency in employee engagements. But do you know what exactly intranet and extranet are, and what differentiates them? For many people, these terms can be very confusing. I**ntranet and extranet have separate areas of interest** but a singular objective: to enhance the communication and collaboration between employees and clients. If you integrate them into your business model, these unique private portals can make daily tasks better, streamline business processes, connect employees, and make your organization more effective on the whole. Let's read on to analyze the core differences between the two: ### What's An Intranet? **An intranet is a private, safe, and secure network** in the company's digital workplace made to facilitate collaboration and centralize tools, documents, projects, and conversations within your company. **What's An Extranet?** An extranet is a private external network specially made to facilitate outsiders and stakeholders such as vendors, partners, customers, and suppliers. Here, they can communicate easily with your company and employees. Now you know what they are, it's time to look at their differences. ## Intranet Vs. Extranet: What's The Difference? ![ux](https://blog.definity.io/hs-fs/hubfs/00_Powerapps/ux.jpg?width=4000&name=ux.jpg) If you're planning to employ an intranet or extranet or both in your company and you have some confusion about their functions, the following pointers should help you. #### Web Accessibility **An intranet is accessible only through your company's internal servers** because it is only for employee use. An extranet, on the other hand, is a secure, private web-based portal for use by external shareholders so that they can access it online. #### Technical Structure Within an intranet, a system administrator has the power to assign and controls user access using the company's internal server controls. However, access to an extranet is limited to external users and allowed only through a VPN. If you have a user ID and password or some other secure way to enter, you can access the extranet. #### Different Scope **An intranet is a private, secure network** for a company or an organization that is used mainly to get employee info, company policies, and important work documentation, etc. However, an extranet is also a safe network but for suppliers, customers, and employees. It is mainly used to check status, send emails, place orders, access data, etc. #### Target Audience The major difference between the intranet and extranet is of users. The intranet is designed for company employees and internal departments. It's a secure portal where you and the team can easily collaborate and exchange relevant info. Whereas, the main purpose of an extranet is to build a safe, enclosed communication and collaboration space for you, employees, and outside parties such as suppliers, clients, and partners. ### Which System Is Right For You? Deciding which portal best fits your company needs, depends entirely upon how you intend to use it. If you're looking for better collaboration between you and employees, go for an intranet. But if your main focus is on enhancing the collaboration and communication between employees and business partners, an extranet will do just fine. Here at Definity First, we help organizations guarantee a cohesive and coordinated relationship amongst all prime portal users to ensure a better future for everyone. [Get in touch](https://intranet.definityfirst.com/sharepointa-intranet-services-strategy) with us today to learn more. #### Share Article [![Share on facebook](https://blog.definity.io/hubfs/Vector%20(3).svg)](https://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.definity.io%2Fblog%2Fintranet-and-extranet-what-is-the-difference%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://blog.definity.io/hubfs/Vector%20(6).svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.definity.io%2Fblog%2Fintranet-and-extranet-what-is-the-difference%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://blog.definity.io/hubfs/Vector%20(5).svg)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.definity.io%2Fblog%2Fintranet-and-extranet-what-is-the-difference%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.definity.io%2Fblog%2Fintranet-and-extranet-what-is-the-difference%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on pinterest](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/pinterest-color.png?width=24&name=pinterest-color.png)](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.definity.io%2Fblog%2Fintranet-and-extranet-what-is-the-difference%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=https://497782.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/497782/Vector%20(4)-1.svg) ## Latest Posts #### [![LLM Integration: Turning Prompts into Measurable Work](https://blog.definity.io/hubfs/ChatGPT%20Image%20Nov%2018%2c%202025%20at%2010_17_57%20AM.png) UPDATE LLM Integration: Turning Prompts into Measurable Work Nov 18, 2025](https://blog.definity.io/blog/generative-ai-is-only-a-piece-of-the-puzzle) #### [![Introducing GPT-5 in Microsoft 365 Copilot: What’s new and how to get value fast](https://blog.definity.io/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-10-09%20at%202.16.03%20PM.png) UPDATE Introducing GPT-5 in Microsoft 365 Copilot: What’s new and how to get value fast Oct 09, 2025](https://blog.definity.io/blog/introducing-gpt-5-in-microsoft-365-copilot-whats-new-and-how-to-get-value-fast) #### [![AI-Augmented Workforces: How “human + AI” is redefining productivity](https://blog.definity.io/hubfs/image-Oct-09-2025-05-14-07-9412-PM.png) UPDATE AI-Augmented Workforces: How “human + AI” is redefining productivity Sep 04, 2025](https://blog.definity.io/blog/ai-augmented-workforces-how-human-ai-is-redefining-productivity) ![Definity Logo-color 1 (1)](https://blog.definity.io/hubfs/Definity%20Logo-color%201%20(1).svg) Engineering digital solutions that transform bold ideas into measurable business results. ![Vector](https://blog.definity.io/hubfs/Vector.svg) ![Vector-2](https://blog.definity.io/hubfs/Vector-2.svg) ![Vector (1)](https://blog.definity.io/hubfs/Vector%20(1).svg) ![Vector (2)](https://blog.definity.io/hubfs/Vector%20(2).svg) ![Untitled design-7-1](https://blog.definity.io/hubfs/Untitled%20design-7-1.png) ![vercel-text 1](https://blog.definity.io/hubfs/vercel-text%201.png) - What We Do - Who We Are - Engagement Model - Our Work - Resources - Careers - Turnkey Solutions - Blog - Contact Us - Privacy Policy  - Terms of Service Stay in the know. 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