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What Is Skype?

Skype is Voice-over-IP software, developed and sold by Microsoft. The program offers messaging, video and voice messages, the ability to exchange files, as well as chats and video conferencing. Calls via Skype are free, with only calls to landlines or cellular networks attracting charges. The program also has a built-in translator which translates phone calls in real-time. The basic version is free.

Who Uses Skype?

Skype is suitable for private users seeking a chat and video program, and for smaller companies looking to use video conferencing or Internet telephony.

Skype Software - Skype messaging
Skype Software - Skype gallery view
Skype Software - Skype meeting invites
Skype Software - Skype reactions
Skype Software - Skype meeting backgrounds

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Reviews of Skype

Average score

Overall
4.2
Ease of Use
4.4
Customer Service
4.1
Features
4.1
Value for Money
4.3

Reviews by company size (employees)

  • <50
  • 51-200
  • 201-1,000
  • >1,001
Enmanuel
Enmanuel
Teacher in Dominican Republic
Verified LinkedIn User
Education Management, 10,000+ Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Very good option.

5.0 2 years ago

Comments: Skype helps me keep up with my team without the need to be physically present; streamline the information.

Pros:

What I like the most is how the Software flows, it is pleasing to the eye and to the ear, it is not annoying, it is dynamic and versatile, comprehensive and modern.

Cons:

It should be able to be configured more according to taste. But it is excellent software.

Paul
Software Specialist in Philippines
Marketing & Advertising, 51–200 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Alternatives Considered:

Great for IMs but not for heavy conferencing

4.0 2 years ago

Comments: Out of all the alternatives we tested, Skype offers the best balance of usability and features. Other apps are simply heavy and overkill for what we need. It's light, fast, and easy to use. Skype has become our top choice for IMs & quick video calls!

Pros:

1) "Join via link" feature for hosting calls works effortlessly and excellently. 2) Love the simple & clean interface, and its consistency across different devices. 3) Uncluttered dialer with ultra-fast contact recognition. 4) The "Moderated Group Chats" feature are superbly helpful for big organizations. 5) Their custom emojis are just iconic, distinctive, and has more personality!

Cons:

1) Screensharing is hit-and-miss. Oftentimes the shared screen is grainy and severely lagging despite the stable gigabit connection. 2) Calls get canceled out when dual-dialed (both parties try to call each other at the same time). 3) Can't get it to integrate well with most calendar apps. 4) Skype-to-Phone feature doesn't work with most local numbers despite having them under the same region of our subscription. 5) Text search feature is cripplingly weak and slow to match results. 6) Media manager needs fixing - previously shared files end up corrupted and unretrievable at times.

Roberto
List ops specialist in El Salvador
Marketing & Advertising, 51–200 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

We are migrating to Slack

3.0 2 years ago

Comments: Great but some features could be improved

Pros:

We have been using Skype since before COVID, one thing I really like is the confirmation messages, showing that the other party already reviewed your message. Overall, it was a great asset during our work from home phase, but since then our company introduced us to Slack. Nevertheless, Skype is still in use by some teams inside our company for internal communication platform. We use the most of embedded options, like short text message, direct conversations, conferences and video chats.

Cons:

But the main issue is that regardless how great your bandwidth is (you could have up to 1GBPS) and you'll still have connexion issues, making the reliability of the app quite low compared to others like Slack.

Vishal
Manager in India
Research, 201–500 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Skype - Good app at no cost

4.0 3 months ago

Comments: Overall, it's a free software and its good to use for a medium size team. The option to create multiple groups is beneficial.

Pros:

Skype has got good video quality Screen sharing option Audio sharing option Create groups for projects Add multiple people in an ongoing call

Cons:

There is a lag in the screen sharing At times the app gets hung and its needs to be restarted Do not receive a call and we directly get a notification for missed call

Verified Reviewer
Verified LinkedIn User
Information Technology & Services, 501–1,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Best Group Calling - Recording - Chatting Apps

5.0 2 years ago

Comments: With the help of skype, I solved many issues in the company.
1. Communication tools
2. Video calling, voice calling, video recording.
3. Between meetings can join people.
4. sharing the resources like files, pdf, images and many more things.

Pros:

there is a list of features I like about skype. 1. Global customer, company widly use of skype. 2. Provide features like Calling, Video Calling Recording. 3. Chatting Searching old history possible. 4. Support in Web also. one can use as well in browsers.

Cons:

need to improve this thing. 1. lack of voice in video calling, voice calling. 2. lack of screen sharing with voice. 3. software takes too load sometimes to get old chats.