Skype and Zoom are two of the most popular video conferencing platforms on the market today, allowing you to connect with your co-workers, friends, and family members face-to-face while enjoying crystal clear audio and video in real-time.
Main Difference
Both platforms offer free plans to get you started, but these plans have their limitations. If you’re looking to use Skype or Zoom frequently or need more advanced features, upgrading to one of their paid plans will cost you. This comparison will help you understand which platform offers what, so you can make an informed decision when deciding which platform to use.
Introduction To Skype
Skype is a free voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) application that allows users to make calls over the Internet. It was initially developed by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis who were later joined by Oskar Laxman. Skype has been downloaded over 100 million times since its launch in 2003.
Introduction To Zoom
Zoom Meetings is a proprietary video-conferencing application that allows users to connect via webcams, phone calls, and other devices. It has been used extensively in schools, businesses, and government agencies. Zoom Meetings is compatible with Mac OS X, Windows 7/8, iOS, Android, Linux, and ChromeOS, while it offers two plans: Free and Paid. The Free plan allows up to 100 simultaneous participants, while the Paid plan allows unlimited participants.
You can access Zoom from any device connected to the internet and it supports audio, video, screen sharing, chat, and file transfer. Zoom Meetings provides a variety of features including call recording, meeting notes, and scheduling.
Difference Between Skype and Zoom
Which conferencing software is best for you and your company? Do you need video conferencing at all, or will traditional chat and text work just fine? We’ll compare these two communication giants to help you make a decision that’s right for your business.
Apps: Skype vs. Zoom
When it comes to screen-sharing, web conferencing, and group video chats, there are many options available. However, finding a way to keep your business streamlined can be quite difficult if you don’t know what you’re looking for. So what are some of these apps? Let’s take a look at some of them here!
- Skype is known as a popular app for voice, text chat, and webcam calls with others online.
- Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011, but since then has begun pushing Skype as a workplace communication tool rather than just a social networking app. One of its most notable features is connecting instantly with other users through their unique Skype ID. There are two versions available: Basic,
- Which offers free unlimited voice and video calls worldwide; and Premium, which allows for more features such as enhanced privacy controls and calling landlines or mobile phones.
- If you want more advanced functionality (such as large file transfers), you will need to purchase one of its premium subscriptions which range from $3/month to $8/month depending on your needs. The downside to Skype is that not all devices are supported so compatibility may vary.
- Another service worth considering is Zoom, which was founded in 2013 and was originally intended for high-definition video conferences with up to 100 people from around the world. Unlike Skype, Zoom supports most devices and offers free conference calls until 60 minutes.
- The downside of Zoom is that even though it has better security settings than most products, they’re still not as secure as services like WebEx or GoToMeeting would be.
Features: Skype vs. Zoom
Both offer free video conferencing, but if you want to do any actual work or voice chat, you’ll need a paid plan. If your job requires a lot of calling overseas, Skype is probably your best bet—its pay-as-you-go rates are better for long-distance calls than Zoom’s flat rates. And for audio conferences where you don’t need high quality, both platforms will suffice.
Platforms: Skype vs. Zoom
Both Skype and Zoom allow you to create and host video conferences, with either service you can host a conference with up to 250 attendees. While both platforms are similar, there are several key differences. Read on to see how they stack up!
Read More: SeatGeek vs. Ticketmaster: What’s the difference?
User Interface: Skype vs. Zoom
One way to think about Skype vs Zoom is by comparing their user interfaces. Skype has a largely familiar design; there are chat windows and conversations, which is common in instant messaging applications. However, it’s also used for voice calls and video calls and operates more like a VOIP app. Meanwhile, Zoom has a simpler interface; it’s optimized for video calls (and does them well), with no UI elements that don’t belong.
Pricing: Skype vs. Zoom
The one major feature that separates these two services is price. Zoom offers unlimited video conferencing for an extremely competitive $15/month. Skype, on the other hand, charges based on a participant-to-participant model, so you could be paying quite a bit depending on how many people are participating in your conference. It also has additional features like recording and translation capabilities (depending on which plan you choose). Both services come with varying levels of audio and video quality as well.
Comparison Table Between Skype and Zoom
| Parameter of Comparison | Zoom | Skype |
| Basic free plan participant limit | Zoom allows 100 participants (up to 49 visible at one time) per free subscription for a session of 40 minutes | Skype allows 50 participants per session, it offers 250 participants for a business plan membership |
| Platform Support | Zoom supports a variety of platforms and devices such as Windows, Mac OS, IOS, iPhone/ iPad, Android, Linux, and Web-based | Skype supports platforms and devices such as Windows, Mac OS, IOS, iPhone/ iPad, Android, and Web-based |
| Web Features | Real-time and private chats, Recording & playback, screen sharing, and presentation tools, 1GB cloud storage | Real-time and private chats, file sharing, video messages, 50GB mailbox, 1TB cloud storage |
| Support | Online support | On-demand support |
| Supported Integration | Google Drive, Pardot, Dropbox, Eloqua, HubSpot, Infusionsoft | Agile CRM, Slack, Microsoft Systems, Grasshopper |
| Language | English | English |
| Popular customers | Delta, Match.com, Sonos, Pandora, Slack, GoDaddy | VerbalizeIt, Advansys, AIRDEX, Diverse Learners |
| Recordings | Zoom provides 1 GB of cloud space for recordings | Skype stores Recordings for up to 30 days |
| Special features | Custom virtual background, end-to-end encryption. | Blur my background, React emojis |
Conclusion
Both Skype and Zoom are effective options for online meetings, but what you choose depends on how often you conduct meetings, how big your meetings are and how long they tend to last. If you’re a one-person operation or if you’re just getting started in business, Zoom is likely a better fit—it’s easier to use than Skype and it has more features that make it a solid choice for small businesses.