Zoom VS Skype

Let's start this Zoom vs Skype comparison by pointing out that video chatting has become the norm in work and education; not to mention leisure and fun. Therefore, we will review these apps and later determine their fitness for different use cases.

Additionally, regardless of the type of calls you may need to make, Stack can enhance the experience for both Zoom and Skype. This is because Stack is versatile enough to integrate with your workflow in a way other browsers aren't built for.

Stack acknowledges that different life activities demand different accounts for each. Thanks to its multiple accounts support, you can stay logged in to different accounts of the same app.

Plus, Stack is a split-screen browser. Its side-by-side windows system benefits multitasking, as in the case of sharing files or browsing while video chatting. If you want to discover firsthand what Stack can do, learn more about it here.

Zoom VS Skype - Features

Both applications have done their homework, so you won't lack the basic stuff (text chatting, file transferring, video background, etc.) in either of them. In terms of features, here's a table of their most consistent differences:

In the Skype vs Zoom matchup, Zoom takes the lead for professional video-chatting. Its "Touch-up My Appearance" option lightly blurs the user video to make up for a raw face when the timing of a call isn't the best. Also, its simultaneous screen sharing feature is perfect for groups working with and comparing materials.

On the other hand, while you can record calls on both apps, only Skype does so in the cloud in the free version, while free Zoom relies on local storage exclusively. Also, Skype has its own real-time translator, while only in its paid version Zoom has the option of setting participants as interpreters to assist on scheduled calls.

Aside from video chatting, both apps offer paid phone calling options, including personal phone numbers, and even enterprise solutions, like Skype Connect and Zoom Phone.

Pricing

Zoom has plans starting at a monthly price of $14.99. Among the perks it includes are

• Unlimited calling time
• Social media streaming
• Closed captioning

Skype business' plans, for their part, are under Microsoft Teams, so it asks you to buy a Microsoft 365 Business plan license, starting at $5.00 a month per user. Although this seems cheaper at first sight, the price is per user; meanwhile, Zoom’s starting license option allows up to 9 hosts. Teams paid version includes:

• 24 hours meeting duration limit
• 1 TB for chat attachments per user
• Web versions of Office apps

Devices

Zoom and Skype are supported by the following devices:

• Stack, Chromium-based browsers, and Edge (while Zoom supports Firefox, Skype doesn't)
• Windows
• Linux (including Chrome OS)
• macOS
• iOS and Android smartphone and tablet devices
• Amazon Fire and Kindle Fire
• Smart speakers such as Alexa, Nest Hub, and Amazon Echo

Plus, Xbox Series X, S, and One offer native support for Skype.

Zoom VS Skype - Integrations

At first sight, Skype has far more integration credit due to being part of Microsoft's software ecosystem, including the ever-popular Office suite.

Still, Zoom can easily work with other programs, even with Microsoft's. For one thing, Zoom has an app market for integrating with other tools and can fit into Zapier just as much as Skype. In this aspect of the Zoom VS Skypematchup, they are both fairly equal.

Zoom VS Skype - main benefits and concerns

While Skype's closeness to Microsoft resembles a by-product, Zoom's brand-neutral interface looks up-to-date and friendlier to the non-tech savvy. These qualities make it one of the first options for businesses, educators, and speakers. On the far side, perhaps Zoom's greatest downside is its known history of privacy and security issues.

Still, out-of-the-box Skype is great if you already have a Microsoft account and want to communicate with your contacts or have an informal group chat and talk for hours and hours.

As a side note, Skype doesn't let you change your username. You're bound to it, even if it doesn't fit with what you use that account for. Zoom's equivalent, the user ID, is composed of numbers exclusively; by design, it can't look out of place.

Summary

Both apps can do the job in most cases, but as the Zoom vs Skype matchup comes to an end, Zoom emerges as the winner. Skype is an entry product of Microsoft's apps ecosystem, and works great for casual and internal communication, while Zoom is more professional, and it’s only fair to compare it with Teams.