Adobe Connect vs. Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Adobe Connect
Score 7.0 out of 10
N/A
Adobe Connect is a web conferencing platform that enables users to create presentations, online training materials, and learning modules. The product is entirely Adobe Flash-based and has several add-ons for customizing its software to suit each users’ unique needs.
$50
per host/per month
Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
Score 7.5 out of 10
N/A
Skype for Business was an online messaging and conferencing tool, now superseded by Microsoft Teams.N/A
Pricing
Adobe ConnectSkype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
Editions & Modules
Meetings
$50
per host/per month
Webinars & Learning
$130
per host/per month
Small Meetings
Free
Forever free for up to 3 participants
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Adobe ConnectSkype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Adobe ConnectSkype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
Considered Both Products
Adobe Connect
Chose Adobe Connect
We ultimately ended our use of Adobe Connect due to continued issues, lack of resolution & loss of participants. Currently we are using Microsoft Teams as it is our primary communication tool at our organization.
Chose Adobe Connect
i have in the past used webex, zoom, skpe, teams. For what I need it for, [Adobe Connect] works well. Webex, Skype, teams are nice in the sense the audio is built in, however [Adobe Connect] offers more in the way of file sharing, link sharing, chats, polling and those are …
Chose Adobe Connect
Adobe in terms of functionality is competitive with the other platforms out there. It has a strong reputation and seems to solve most of the organization's issues, however, it is more costly and isn't as user-friendly as it could be. It appears to have a lot of functionality …
Chose Adobe Connect
Like I said, Adobe Connect is a monster product. There is likely no capability or feature you will want for if you purchase it. It is the most robust platform I've ever used. But there is a price for that, both in terms of dollars and complexity. And remember, unless all your …
Chose Adobe Connect
In my own opinion, if you compare the aspect of hosting a webinar online, it is pretty similar to other tools out there. When Adobe Connect is used for training purposes and mainly the virtual breakout session feature, that is where the tool really stands out and shine! I …
Chose Adobe Connect
It has some better features and some not so good qualities that makes it not exactly the product of choice. Most of our meetings involve 5-15 participants, so it doesn't always work for our situation.
Chose Adobe Connect
The best part of Adobe Connect is sharing the information with others who use this software. If you attend school and love taking notes through your iPad or Computer, you can share what notes you are writing with everyone in your classes. Also, it is a great virtual meeting …
Chose Adobe Connect
Bar none... Skype Business was used for a short period of time. Rooms crashing, lag, inability to screen share at times, room limitations, etc... These were all issues we faced when moving to Skype Business as a way to interact. Although there are many issues with Adobe …
Chose Adobe Connect
Adobe Connect provides a higher level of participant interaction and flexibility in creating small groups and discussions. It also provides a consistent and persistent virtual meeting room where all content and engagement tools can be saved and reused. The ability to export and …
Chose Adobe Connect
We have used Nefsis conferencing software in the past. It served a purpose but wasn't nearly as robust in the features it offered, making it just an okay platform for training. For conferencing, it worked very well, but if you're looking to add tools that will contribute to the …
Chose Adobe Connect
Adobe connect is much more formal for our external audience. Skype and GoToMeeting work for internal meetings or informal meetings. The back end database for adobe connect is much more useful as well in my opinion.
Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
Chose Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
Hangouts have the worst user interface I've ever seen on a web application. Skype is a separate purchase, while Office 365 includes Skype as part of the subscription. When it comes to competing with Skype, Hangouts needs an overhaul of the UI. We've made the switch to Microsoft …
Chose Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
Hangouts has worst UI ever. It requires an additional purchase where skype comes free with office 365. Hangouts doesnt have dedicated PC or Mac app. It works only on browser due to which notifications are hit and miss. Skype has dedicated PC app but no web app. Hangouts needs a …
Chose Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
All are variations on the same theme. They each have things they do better and things they do worse. In the case of Skype, I think the mobile integration is great, the browser support is so-so, and the security as a whole is weak. Others have things like individualized URLs …
Chose Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
The three are great tools, but each one have its set of benefits. Lync it's getting out of market, but certainly it still has a great market to those companies that are not worried with external communication, for example. Teams and Slack, have already this approach, but both …
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Adobe ConnectSkype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software
Comparison of Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
8.0
65 Ratings
1% above category average
Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
7.6
192 Ratings
5% below category average
High quality audio8.764 Ratings8.0188 Ratings
High quality video7.264 Ratings7.7183 Ratings
Low bandwidth requirements6.955 Ratings6.6180 Ratings
Mobile support9.142 Ratings7.9144 Ratings
Screen Sharing
Comparison of Screen Sharing features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
7.7
64 Ratings
3% below category average
Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
8.5
189 Ratings
7% above category average
Desktop sharing8.064 Ratings8.8189 Ratings
Whiteboards7.454 Ratings8.3119 Ratings
Online Meetings / Events
Comparison of Online Meetings / Events features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
7.9
65 Ratings
3% below category average
Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
7.8
186 Ratings
5% below category average
Calendar integration9.241 Ratings8.0172 Ratings
Meeting initiation8.656 Ratings8.1180 Ratings
Integrates with social media7.328 Ratings7.882 Ratings
Record meetings / events7.360 Ratings7.6141 Ratings
Slideshows7.251 Ratings7.7113 Ratings
Online Events Collaboration
Comparison of Online Events Collaboration features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
8.6
64 Ratings
3% above category average
Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
8.6
171 Ratings
3% above category average
Live chat9.462 Ratings9.2169 Ratings
Audience polling8.255 Ratings8.592 Ratings
Q&A8.352 Ratings8.192 Ratings
Online Events Security
Comparison of Online Events Security features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
8.9
60 Ratings
7% above category average
Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
8.1
154 Ratings
3% below category average
User authentication7.953 Ratings8.2140 Ratings
Participant roles & permissions9.360 Ratings7.9146 Ratings
Confidential attendee list9.448 Ratings8.1108 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Adobe ConnectSkype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
Small Businesses
ClickMeeting
ClickMeeting
Score 9.5 out of 10
ClickMeeting
ClickMeeting
Score 9.5 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
ClickMeeting
ClickMeeting
Score 9.5 out of 10
ClickMeeting
ClickMeeting
Score 9.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Google Meet
Google Meet
Score 8.3 out of 10
Google Meet
Google Meet
Score 8.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Adobe ConnectSkype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
Likelihood to Recommend
7.7
(92 ratings)
8.6
(195 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(27 ratings)
9.0
(7 ratings)
Usability
7.7
(36 ratings)
9.0
(14 ratings)
Availability
5.5
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
7.6
(31 ratings)
8.5
(40 ratings)
Online Training
7.5
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
7.9
(4 ratings)
7.0
(2 ratings)
Product Scalability
5.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Adobe ConnectSkype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
Likelihood to Recommend
Adobe
It is a great resource for evaluating, refining, and combining abilities and essential experiences in the growth of the sales team training; It is productive and lucrative in terms of distance knowledge transfer, and it reduces employee training financing and expenditures. I really like the ability to collaborate as a group on a huge research project even when we are not in the same country.
Read full review
Microsoft
Skype is useful for collaborations across distances, including work from home, as well as a more convenient way to communicate with a large group of people. Skype is also useful to communicate with specific parties quickly, rather than relying on cellular service in areas where not as available. Skype is less useful if the team does not use computers , tablets, smartphones, etc in daily workflow as it would rarely be used.
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Pros
Adobe
  • Adobe Connect has presentation features like transitions and animations, which are important in communications.
  • Furthermore, Adobe Connect supports virtual events in the classroom, where training is done and knowledge acquired.
  • Lastly, Adobe Connect makes virtual meetings through conferencing effective and manageable at a minimal cost.
Read full review
Microsoft
  • Instant messaging to anyone who we know only by name/email. Even if they're offline, they get the message in missed convos and a notification automatically goes to them via Outlook mail. All conversations are saved and accessible via Outlook.
  • Video and voice calls are a norm in the WFH scenario, and an average employee has around 4-5 calls a day. Skype gives notifications for upcoming meetings, allows easy scheduling via outlook calendar, and its audio/video quality [is] reasonably good compared to the amount of data it consumes.
  • Status availabilities - in the WFH scenario, you could be off for lunch, out of office, busy, sharing screens - and might not want to be disturbed. Skype allows you to do that, and in case you're off, ensures that you know that you have missed messages.
  • Screen sharing - we have to share screens at least once or twice a day with a coworker when working on some issues/features, and Skype easily lets us do that. One of the best things about Skype is that the screen can be shared without being on a video/voice call - which is of immense advantage because oftentimes, you could prefer sharing the screen, while it [is] too noisy to talk.
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Cons
Adobe
  • The overall connection and lag sometimes are disruptive. This may not be due to the platform as a whole, connectivity, and strength of the signal is probably a factor but it can get glitchy sometimes.
  • More features for remote desktop options, whiteboarding, or screen sharing to actively resolve issues would be great while collaborating.
  • Online support or forums to help assist with issues aren't as prevalent as you think they'd be. More individual resources to assist with issues would be helpful.
Read full review
Microsoft
  • Probably the biggest area is the video element as it has historically struggled in this area.
  • The need to be forced to federate with another organisation by providing yours and enabling the other organisation settings is a bit tedious but once done, allows for simple collaboration between third-parties.
  • Functionality wise, as it's an older product and being superseded by MS Teams, it feels as if it's run its course but was very good for what it does/did at the time.
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Likelihood to Renew
Adobe
The longer you use Adobe Connect, the longer you are likely to use it. Because you can build more and more resources over time, creating rooms that you re-use, recorded content you can repurpose, and tools that form the basis of ever increasing productivity, the more you use Connect, the more productive you become. Unlike competing products where, with every meeting you essentially start over -- setting up your resources for each meeting -- in my Connect rooms, I have highly tuned tools to accomplish my knowledge transfer goals. When I want to conduct another session - I send a link out to the appropriate room and instantly we are all focusing on getting a job done together. This ability of Adobe Connect to make you productive at an ever quickening rate is a competitive advantage
Read full review
Microsoft
The software is simple to install and configure. It is rather simple to explain for correct use. It is possible to profile users for the different functions offered. It is integrated quite completely with Outlook and with Active Directory security. It performs all communication functions well with one or more interlocutors and the possibility of granting control of your computer is convenient.
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Usability
Adobe
As sophisticated a product as Adobe Connect, the ease of use is outstanding. In my experience, even a user with very little knowledge of Adobe Connect can begin using and even leading sessions with very little training to get started with the basic features. Additional training is needed to become comfortable with the number of available features, but learning curve even for those is no steeper than would normally be expected from similar software.
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Microsoft
Very easy to use. Even though Microsoft Teams has a lot of features and integrations, as a user I feel completely comfortable on finding what I need, getting information about the app extensions and using them. It's a very comprehensive tool, intuitive design and does not make me feel tired to be using it. I am glad with the current experience.
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Support Rating
Adobe
The customer support of Adobe connect is professional and well-skilled for resolving our minor and major issues. Moreover, it has almost all the features that will provide you a secure connection, with people across the world. Education institutes can also implement this software. On the basis of its quality and technology, I will surely advise you to try it once.
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Microsoft
I have only had to reach out to the Support team at Skype for Business once with an issue, and I was pleasantly surprised and encouraged by the quickness and thoroughness of their response. The wait time was short and my question was dealt with politely and clearly, so I would say the support team has it together.
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Online Training
Adobe
The ability to have most of the functionality of a full LMS at a fraction of the cost is huge. I can create manage and deploy both synchronous and asynchronous training based on the situation and all of my training is tracked through a series of easily created reports
Read full review
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
Adobe
Prices do not seem to vary much among resellers of the Adobe Connect hosted license; the only price variation you're likely to find are among the audio providers. When implementing, you may also wish to look into expanding the amount of storage you are allowed on the server to avoid any problems later on as your library of files starts to build up
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Microsoft
Skpe for business is utilized company wide in regards to my company. Everyone not only uses it, but uses it often. It is an effective way of communicating. It also integrates very nicely with outlook and all conversation history is pushed to a folder within the outlook system. We also have it so that if someone misses a message, they are sent an email reminder saying that there is a message that went unread.
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Alternatives Considered
Adobe
Actually, it was the other way around....we were using Adobe Connect, company-wide, then switched over to Zoom, mostly, I think, as a cost-cutting measure. But some Learning & Development folks campaigned to be allowed to retain some Adobe Connect licenses (for example, one L&D area had literally over 250 room layouts that their course facilitators could just jump into and use to deliver a course on short notice), which also allows some of us to continue to publish Presenter and Captivate modules to the Adobe server. (But, even those of us who still have Adobe Connect licenses use Zoom for most regular business meetings.)
Read full review
Microsoft
For the below reason I will always choose this app over its competitors: Better audio and video quality, Little to no disconnections or freezing when on a call/video conference Integrates well with mailbox/ calendar/ one drive, and SharePoint is easy to use
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Return on Investment
Adobe
  • Save on time - our instructors and people that use the platform can teach more classes and more often than in-person training and time traveling.
  • We cut down on spending. When we offer training using Connect - we do not have to spend on meals, hard copy materials, and reserving a venue to deliver training.
  • We increase our training sales significantly but offering Connect as an alternative - any unforeseen cancellations to a public class can result in transferring to a remote online Connected class.
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Microsoft
  • We almost lost our biggest client because of the poor performance early on in our implementation...the online meetings were poor quality for audio and bandwidth refreshing
  • Many of the employees in our company disliked the quality so much, they started to sign up for free Cisco WebEx accounts to use instead
  • The majority of employees in our company lost trust in our CTO because of his decision to switch from Cisco WebEx to Skype for Business
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ScreenShots