Office 365 Groups
Distribution list
Mail-enabled security group
Security group
Dynamic distribution group (Exchange only)
Office 365 group
Description
Similar to distribution groups. Has its own mailbox and its members receive email messages that are sent to the group? It provides a shared workspace for email, conversations, files, and calendar events.
When to use?
When you want to provide distribution list capabilities and additional collaboration features. The best option for team work.
Where to create it?
Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 admin app, Groups app, Exchange admin center, and Outlook
Distribution list
Description
DL can only be used for sending an email. An email sent to a distribution list is sent to all members of the group. In Exchange, this group type is called the distribution group.
When to use?
When you want to distribute messages using the group only.
Where to create it?
Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 admin app, or Exchange admin center
Mail-enabled security group
Description
Can be used for sending an email. However, you can also assign group permissions; for example, to Exchange Public Folders or OneDrive.
When to use?
When you want to use the group for both permissions and mail distribution.
Where to create it?
Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 admin app, or Exchange admin center
Security group
Description
Can be used to grant access permissions to resources such as OneDrive.
When to use?
When you only require a group to grant permissions.
Where to create it?
Microsoft 365 admin center or Microsoft 365 admin app
Dynamic distribution group (Exchange only)
Description
Can use recipient filters and conditions that you define to dynamically determine membership. These groups do not have a predefined member list.
When to use?
When you want to have a flexible distribution list that changes membership automatically.
Where to create it?
Exchange admin center