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ArticleVersusZoom vs Skype: which is best for you?

Zoom vs Skype: which is best for you?

Zoom and Skype are popular video conferencing solutions for real-time collaboration and screen sharing.

As more professionals work from home, it’s more important than ever to have a reliable video conferencing option. You may be trying to decide between Zoom and Skype for your wants in remote communication and teamwork. Many things about the two apps are the same, but there are also some big differences.

The best option for you will depend on the needs of your business. Important things to think about are security, scale, ease of use, the number of features offered, and customer support. In this study, we compare Skype and Zoom and point out where each one is great and where it could be better.

More and more people are working from home than ever before. Also, office workers who work at a desk often need video calling to talk to coworkers and clients who are far away. Many of you are possibly debating between Zoom and Skype, which are two of the most popular professional video calling apps. Let’s compare them so you can decide which one is best for you.

Zoom vs Skype: Pricing

Zoom has four plans: one free and three paid. The Zoom Pro plan costs $15.99 per month per license and includes streams from social media, 1 GB of cloud storage for each license, and up to 100 people in each meeting.

  • The Zoom Business plan costs $19.99 per month per license and is offered to businesses that buy at least 10 licenses. With the Zoom Business plan, you can have up to 300 people join your meeting and get copies of what was said.
  • The Zoom Business Plus plan costs $25 per month per license and is offered to businesses that buy at least 10 licenses. With the Zoom Business Plus plan, you can access endless whiteboards that you can change, as well as chat, mail, and calendar clients and an AI companion.
  • Organizations that buy 50 or more licenses can use the Zoom Enterprise plan. Each pass costs $19.99 per month. Customers with the Enterprise plan can have up to 500 people in each meeting. They also get unlimited cloud storage and summaries of recordings. All of Zoom’s premium plans come with the opportunity to buy a Large Meetings add-on, which lets you add up to 1,000 more participants. Large Meetings on Zoom costs at least $50 per month.

Skype’s free video chat service, Meet Now, is often used by small groups and individuals. Microsoft Teams, which has more features than Skype and is better for most business users, has replaced Skype for Business as a video chat service. Microsoft Teams plans cost between $4 and $12.50 per person per month.

Zoom vs Skype Comparison table

Zoom and Skype are two of the best ways to talk to people. Zoom is great at video chatting thanks to its many features and ability to grow. Skype has more ways to talk, like sending messages and calling other countries, which makes it useful, but it has fewer complicated video options.

FeatureZoomSkype
Video ConferencingHigh-quality video and audio meetings.Video and audio calls, supports group calls.
Screen SharingEasily share screens for presentations.Screen sharing for collaboration and demos.
Meeting RecordingRecord meetings for future reference.Recording available, may require add-ons.
Meeting SchedulingSchedule and send invitations within Zoom.Calendar integration for scheduling meetings.
Participants LimitVaries by plan, up to 1,000 participants.Varies, but typically up to 100 participants.
Virtual BackgroundsOffers virtual backgrounds during calls.Limited virtual background support.
Chat and MessagingIn-meeting and group chat features.Messaging with text, emojis, and file sharing.
Integration OptionsIntegrates with various third-party apps.Integrates with Microsoft and third-party apps.
Security FeaturesEncryption, waiting rooms, and passcodes.End-to-end encryption and security features.
Cross-PlatformAvailable on various OS and devices.Available on multiple platforms and devices.
CostOffers free and paid plans.Offers free and paid plans, including Skype for Business.
Business FeaturesZoom for Business offers advanced features.Skype for Business tailored for enterprises.
International CallsInternational calling options available.International calls with Skype Credits.
User InterfaceUser-friendly with a focus on meetings.More extensive, includes messaging and calling.
File SharingFile sharing during meetings and in chat.File sharing in chats and direct messages.
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Zoom vs Skype: User Interface and Ease of Use

Zoom vs Skype

The user interface for Zoom is clean and up-to-date. The main window is split into two parts: the settings for the meeting are on the left, and the people who are in the meeting are on the right. Zoom makes it easy to start a meeting. Just click the “New Meeting” button and choose whether you want to start a video or audio chat. Then, you can ask people to join by sending them the meeting link or sharing it with them.

Once the meeting has started, you can quickly run it by using the controls in the left-hand panel. Participants can be muted or unmuted, the speaker view can be changed, and you can share your screen. Zoom also has a number of tools that make it easy for meeting participants to work together. For example, you can use the whiteboard to come up with ideas or the chat tool to talk to other people in the meeting.

FeatureZoomSkype
User interfaceClean and straightforward, with all of the essential controls within easy reach.Clean and straightforward, but not as well-organized as Zoom’s user interface.
Ease of useEasy to join meetings, share your screen, record meetings, and create and manage meeting rooms.Easy to join meetings, share your screen, record meetings, and create and manage contact groups.
Additional featuresBreakout sessions, whiteboarding, and integration with other popular productivity tools.Integration with other popular productivity tools.

Skype also has a simple and easy-to-use user interface. The main window is split into two parts. The contacts list is in the left panel, and the chat window is in the right panel. Click the “Video Call” or “Audio Call” button next to the person you want to call to start a Skype meeting. If you hit the “Add Participants” button, you can also invite more than one person to a meeting. Once the meeting has started, you can quickly run it by using the controls in the bottom right corner of the screen.

You can change the camera view, stop or unmute yourself, and share your screen. I’ve used both Zoom and Skype a lot, both for personal and work reasons. Both platforms are easy to use, but I like Zoom better because its interface is more modern and it has more options. One of the things I like most about Zoom is that I can set up and handle meetings that happen over and over again. This helps me a lot when I want to set up regular meets with my team or clients.

I also like the whiteboard and meeting rooms that help people work together in Zoom. With these features, it’s easy for people to work on projects together and talk privately with certain other players.In general, I find that Zoom is easier to use and has more features than Skype. But Skype is still a good choice for people who want a simple and straightforward way to do video chatting.

Zoom vs Skype: Security and Privacy

Both Zoom and Skype have a number of safety measures to keep users safe. But security concerns have been made about both platforms in the past. For example, in 2020, it was found that Zoom had a number of security holes that hackers could use to access the cameras and mics of users. Skype has also had some security problems in the past, such as a hole that hackers used to steal login information from users.

FeatureZoomSkype
End-to-end encryptionYes (default)Yes (default)
Track record of handling security vulnerabilitiesNot as good as SkypeGood
Amount of data collected from usersMoreLess
Data sharing with third partiesYes (without user consent)No (without user consent)

People have said that both Zoom and Skype collect too much information about their users, which is bad for privacy. For example, Zoom keeps track of users’ IP addresses, where they are, and what devices they use. Skype also keeps track of users’ messages, friends, and call logs.

Overall, both Zoom and Skype have a number of features that make them safer and more private. But both sites have had problems in the past with security and privacy. Before you use either site, you should be aware of these risks.

Zoom vs Skype: Meeting and Collaboration Tools

Zoom is a video conferencing tool with a lot of features for getting together and working together.

  • High-quality video and sound: Even for big meetings, Zoom’s video and sound are clear and reliable.
  • Screen sharing: Zoom lets users share their screens with other people, which is useful for presentations, demos, and troubleshooting.
  • Whiteboarding: Zoom has an in-built whiteboard that people can use to share ideas and work on projects together.
  • Breakout rooms: Zoom users can set up breakout rooms for talks or activities in smaller groups.
  • Recordings and transcripts: Zoom meetings can be taped and transcribed, which can be helpful if you want to look back on them later or share them with people who couldn’t make it.
FeatureZoomSkype
Maximum number of participants1,000 (free plan), 500 (paid plans)100 (free plan), 250 (paid plan)
Breakout roomsYesNo
WhiteboardingYesNo
PollingYesNo
Recording transcriptsYes (paid plans)No
File sharingYesYes
Screen sharingYesYes
ChatYesYes
IntegrationsMicrosoft Outlook, Google Calendar, Slack, etc.Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams
Free planYes (limited features)Yes

Skype is another popular video chat service that has many of the same features as Zoom. It also has some features that Zoom doesn’t have, like:

  • Integration with other Microsoft products: Skype works well with other Microsoft apps like Outlook and Teams, making it easy to start meetings and join them from within those apps.
  • Live captioning: Skype lets people who are deaf or hard of hearing use live captioning for video talks.
  • Blurred backgrounds: During video calls, Skype users can hide their backgrounds, which can help people who work from home.

Overall, I think Zoom is a better tool for meetings and working together than Skype. Zoom has more features than Skype, such as whiteboarding, breakout rooms, recording, and reports. But Skype is a good choice for companies that already use Microsoft tools.

Zoom vs Skype: Integration and Compatibility

Zoom vs Skype

Zoom and Skype are two of the most popular ways to hold a video conference. Both systems have a lot of features and integrations, but they are also different in some important ways. Zoom gives you more ways to connect than Skype does. Zoom can be used with major business tools like Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, and Slack. This makes it easy to plan meetings and join them from other tools you use to get work done. Zoom also lets you connect to third-party apps, like Zapier and Integromat, in a number of ways. This lets you set up jobs and workflows between Zoom and other apps to be done automatically.

Skype has some connections as well, but they aren’t as many as Zoom’s. Skype can be used with Office 365 and Microsoft Outlook. This makes it easy to plan meetings and join them from Outlook, as well as to share files and work on documents together during meetings. Skype also integrates with some third-party apps, but not as many or as well as Zoom’s connections. When it comes to compatibility, both Zoom and Skype work with a wide range of systems and devices. Both Zoom and Skype can be used on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and web platforms. This makes it easy to join meetings from anywhere and on any device.

But there are a few key ways in which Zoom and Skype don’t work well together. Skype works with Xbox and Amazon Alexa gadgets, which are also made by Microsoft. This means you can make live calls to and from Xbox and Alexa devices using Skype. This functionality is not available in Zoom. Overall, there are more ways to connect and use Zoom than Skype. Zoom is a better choice for businesses and groups that need a video conferencing platform that can work with a wide range of other tools and apps. Skype is a better choice for people and families who want a simple and easy-to-use tool for video conferencing.

Zoom: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Excellent video quality and reliability.
  • Scalable for large meetings.
  • User-friendly interface.
  • Robust screen sharing capabilities.
  • Extensive third-party integrations.

Cons

  • Security concerns in the past.
  • Requires software installation.

Skype: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Broad communication suite (video, audio, messaging).
  • Easy-to-use for personal and small group calls.
  • Good for international calls.
  • Microsoft integrations.
  • Cross-platform availability.

Cons

  • Video quality can vary.
  • Less focus on business meetings.
  • Messaging can be cluttered.

Zoom vs Skype: which one should you consider?

When choosing between Zoom and Skype, you should think about what you need most. Zoom does a great job of providing high-quality video and audio, which makes it a top choice for business meetings and webinars. Its separate rooms and whiteboards are great for getting people to work together. But it may be more expensive for teams with more people.

On the other hand, Skype is a safe and easy-to-use platform that can be used by individuals or small companies. It works well with Microsoft tools and lets you make free video calls with groups. Skype could be a good way to save money if that’s what you’re after. In the end, your choice should depend on how you plan to use it, how much money you have, and what functions you want.

FAQs

Which is safer zoom or Skype?

Zoom’s real-time material is encrypted with TLS and AES-256, which sounds great on paper. But Zoom has had a long history of security issues, such as remote hacking, problems with screen sharing, and the ease with which “Zoom-bombing” can be done.

Is Zoom no longer free?

If you only use Zoom for talks with one other person, the Basic plan might be enough. It gives you free access to as many one-on-one meetings as you want. But if you need to meet with more than one person (and as the host, you count), your meetings will be limited to 40 minutes.

James Hogan
James Hogan
James Hogan is a notable content writer recognized for his contributions to Bollyinside, where he excels in crafting informative comparison-based articles on topics like laptops, phones, and software. When he's not writing, James enjoys immersing himself in football matches and exploring the digital realm. His curiosity about the ever-evolving tech landscape drives his continuous quest for knowledge, ensuring his content remains fresh and relevant.

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