Google Chat vs. Skype

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Google Chat
Score 7.9 out of 10
N/A
Google Chat, formerly Hangouts Chat, is a collaboration tool competing with Slack, designed to make it easy for teams to be able to get their work done in one place. From direct messages to group conversations, Chat helps teams collaborate, and with dedicated, virtual rooms to house projects over time — plus threaded conversations — Chat helps users track progress and follow up tasks. Chat currently supports 28 languages and each room can support up to 8,000 members.N/A
Skype
Score 7.2 out of 10
N/A
Skype (the personal edition) is a free web meeting, video conferencing, and VoIP software. The free version includes audio and video Skype-to-Skype calls, ability to call mobile phones and landlines, paid international calling, and conference calling capabilities for up to 25 people.
$2.99
per month
Pricing
Google ChatSkype
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
United States Subscription
$2.99
per month
North America Subscription
$6.99
per month
India Subscription
$7.99
per month
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Google ChatSkype
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Google ChatSkype
Considered Both Products
Google Chat
Chose Google Chat
You do not need to download anything when using Google Chat yet in Webex sometimes it does only work if you download a file. This is similar to Skype where you need to have the application on your computer. Google Chat has added a lot with the great support they have online.
Chose Google Chat
For the above platforms, it is always intended for the larger audience when your business communication has a limited stack you prefer choosing the best and simple communication platform rather than spending on a platform that charges per license. AS we need simple secure and …
Chose Google Chat
I use it because of it is already available into the google gmail so for using this I do not have to install any external software for this which can take the storage of my device for installation. The other software was taking much data in comparison to the Google Chat.
Chose Google Chat
Since Google Hangouts Chat comes integrated with G-suite, it just works without any adjustments to our organization's workflows. Other products fail on that front and therefore are not encouraged to be used.
Chose Google Chat
Schools, in my area at least, are not being allowed to use Zoom because of incidences of security breaches known as "Zoom bombs," so the schools here chose to use Google Hangouts Chat. That means if I want to talk to the kids or the teachers, I need to use Google Hangouts Chat.
Skype
Chose Skype
The advantage of Skype over other programs is the quality of video calls. Another positive point is that Skype concentrates several functionalities in the same program and works in a very intuitive way. If we compare it with other applications, the disadvantage of Skype in …
Chose Skype
Skype is just a robust system that almost everyone I've ever interacted with within a business setting has some experience with. So, for us, it was a decision based on convenience and reliability. Skype is [an] application that has been around for a long time and has many …
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Google ChatSkype
Project Management
Comparison of Project Management features of Product A and Product B
Google Chat
8.2
23 Ratings
4% above category average
Skype
-
Ratings
Task Management8.413 Ratings00 Ratings
Gantt Charts8.29 Ratings00 Ratings
Scheduling8.815 Ratings00 Ratings
Workflow Automation7.012 Ratings00 Ratings
Mobile Access8.822 Ratings00 Ratings
Search8.720 Ratings00 Ratings
Visual planning tools7.211 Ratings00 Ratings
Communication
Comparison of Communication features of Product A and Product B
Google Chat
8.6
23 Ratings
7% above category average
Skype
-
Ratings
Chat9.623 Ratings00 Ratings
Notifications9.623 Ratings00 Ratings
Discussions8.021 Ratings00 Ratings
Surveys7.515 Ratings00 Ratings
Internal knowledgebase8.612 Ratings00 Ratings
Integrates with GoToMeeting8.08 Ratings00 Ratings
Integrates with Gmail and Google Hangouts8.216 Ratings00 Ratings
Integrates with Outlook9.07 Ratings00 Ratings
File Sharing & Management
Comparison of File Sharing & Management features of Product A and Product B
Google Chat
8.7
23 Ratings
8% above category average
Skype
-
Ratings
Versioning8.416 Ratings00 Ratings
Video files8.320 Ratings00 Ratings
Audio files8.319 Ratings00 Ratings
Document collaboration9.119 Ratings00 Ratings
Access control8.716 Ratings00 Ratings
Advanced security features9.217 Ratings00 Ratings
Integrates with Google Drive8.116 Ratings00 Ratings
Device sync9.221 Ratings00 Ratings
Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software
Comparison of Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software features of Product A and Product B
Google Chat
-
Ratings
Skype
7.8
137 Ratings
2% below category average
High quality audio00 Ratings8.6134 Ratings
High quality video00 Ratings8.2132 Ratings
Low bandwidth requirements00 Ratings6.9129 Ratings
Mobile support00 Ratings7.4117 Ratings
Screen Sharing
Comparison of Screen Sharing features of Product A and Product B
Google Chat
-
Ratings
Skype
6.6
118 Ratings
18% below category average
Desktop sharing00 Ratings7.5117 Ratings
Whiteboards00 Ratings5.759 Ratings
Online Meetings / Events
Comparison of Online Meetings / Events features of Product A and Product B
Google Chat
-
Ratings
Skype
6.9
117 Ratings
18% below category average
Calendar integration00 Ratings6.684 Ratings
Meeting initiation00 Ratings7.7105 Ratings
Integrates with social media00 Ratings6.364 Ratings
Record meetings / events00 Ratings6.976 Ratings
Slideshows00 Ratings7.267 Ratings
Online Events Collaboration
Comparison of Online Events Collaboration features of Product A and Product B
Google Chat
-
Ratings
Skype
7.5
110 Ratings
9% below category average
Live chat00 Ratings8.2109 Ratings
Audience polling00 Ratings7.463 Ratings
Q&A00 Ratings7.061 Ratings
Online Events Security
Comparison of Online Events Security features of Product A and Product B
Google Chat
-
Ratings
Skype
7.6
100 Ratings
7% below category average
User authentication00 Ratings7.987 Ratings
Participant roles & permissions00 Ratings7.282 Ratings
Confidential attendee list00 Ratings7.859 Ratings
VoIP system collaboration
Comparison of VoIP system collaboration features of Product A and Product B
Google Chat
-
Ratings
Skype
7.9
3 Ratings
1% above category average
Video conferencing00 Ratings8.73 Ratings
Audio conferencing00 Ratings9.03 Ratings
Video screen sharing00 Ratings6.73 Ratings
Instant messaging00 Ratings7.33 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Google ChatSkype
Small Businesses
Stackby
Stackby
Score 9.4 out of 10
ClickMeeting
ClickMeeting
Score 9.3 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Troop Messenger
Troop Messenger
Score 9.8 out of 10
ClickMeeting
ClickMeeting
Score 9.3 out of 10
Enterprises
HCL Connections
HCL Connections
Score 9.0 out of 10
Webex Meetings
Webex Meetings
Score 8.4 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Google ChatSkype
Likelihood to Recommend
8.4
(23 ratings)
6.1
(139 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
8.0
(2 ratings)
10.0
(5 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(5 ratings)
10.0
(3 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
7.3
(3 ratings)
10.0
(42 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(3 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Contract Terms and Pricing Model
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Professional Services
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Google ChatSkype
Likelihood to Recommend
Google
To keep communication within your organization and to organize any event where multiple team involvement is needed we recommend using google chat as it has very great features like priority notification. We can add groups and have collective communication that helps in making decisions faster. You can also connect with multiple people over the calls and also easily create a transcript that can be useful for future references. i see in certain areas this is not well suited where you are involved with client calls or customer calls I don't recommend this application as this is not that suitable for large audience or system meaning this have certain limitation in adding total number of people to calls.
Read full review
Microsoft
Skype is an excellent choice for phone calls, both local and international, and is also one of the most affordable solutions for business office line. It is simple to use and get started with and provides a call experience on mobile that is similar to a regular phone call. It is not the ideal tool for team chat. For text-based team communication, a separate dedicated tool is still ideal
Read full review
Pros
Google
  • When discussing about a specific project, I can quickly share google docs or sheets within the chat which helps my team to view the document in real time and they do not have to leave the conversation.
  • Scheduling a meeting with someone is very easy on Google Chat.
  • We have remote team members in different time zones and instead of waiting for emails we use Google Chat to quickly discuss anything.
Read full review
Microsoft
  • The instant chat function is great. Very straightforward, easy to use, easy to learn, no technical issues.
  • Video calls are pretty easy also, user friendly and a mostly stable connection with no issues.
  • Voice calls are easy also, eliminates the need for an external landline or the need to use your cell phone. Clear connections, not really any dropped calls.
Read full review
Cons
Google
  • Google Hangouts Chat has a room for improvement in customizing the themes background.The themes are outdated and hard to change if you don't know the right key to change it.
  • It could be more user friendly if there will be no hidden features. Formatting messages is very likely to use and fun.
  • With conversations going on about everything all the time, it's easy to get pulled into far too many discussions but sometimes its hard to mention names because it shows many result even the users are not included on the chat room.
Read full review
Microsoft
  • Skype is a RESOURCE hog. People who have limited bandwidth will have poor call quality.
  • It is hard to figure out how to use emojis and upload images in the chat.
  • The background images do not fool anybody....it is clearly not your real background.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Google
The updates, support, general reviews on Google Chat are great everywhere. The development of the features is ongoing and this adds a great value to Google as a big company in the market. Other applications are limiting communication while Google Chat is allowing communication to grow. It is very easy to use it and teach others how to use Google Chat.
Read full review
Microsoft
I have given this rating as this need to give more than that as it's very helpful for us and makes our work more efficient and fast.
Read full review
Usability
Google
It's not perfect. There are occasional glitches, drop-outs, and it takes a bit to get everything loaded and working. But it is significantly better than Zoom or GoToMeeting when you're in instructional settings. I know my teacher friends here like it and the administrators and parents seem to be satisfied too.
Read full review
Microsoft
Skype is not as good as Facetime in terms of ease to glance at it and figure out how it works. I think that's a result of Skype trying to be too many things at once. A lot of the menu and UI could be streamlined, and I would jettison some of the additional functions that have been tacked on over the years to simplify. That being said, while some options are slightly hard to find, they all work flawlessly once found.
Read full review
Support Rating
Google
I have not needed to contact the support folks for Google Hangouts Chat, so I can't speak to this with any accuracy. The online instructions are fairly clearly written, so it is fairly intuitive to start with. I did not feel the need to use the support people anyway.
Read full review
Microsoft
I am not aware of the current support level for Skype for business, as I have never used even though I have the product. However, the support for Skype's personal paid users is not where it could be. Users who pay for Skype features do not have a clear path to reach out to support. So, rating 6, can be better as soon as I need to use Skype for business support and get a good experience. I will say that I will renew Skype for Business subscription, which is a significant inconsistency on my end. The explanation is that Skype for Business comes bundled with Office for Business, with no additional cost, so why not.
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Implementation Rating
Google
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
It can be used on the phone via mobile application as well as on the desktop by logging in to the website. Easily installed and ready to use.
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Alternatives Considered
Google
Our organization uses the entire Google Suite of products, so the integration with Google Drive and especially Gmail made this decision a "no brainer". In canvassing most of our employees, many of them had more experience using this product as opposed to Skype, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
Read full review
Microsoft
Microsoft Teams provides basically the same services. Local number calling is not available (that I know of) but that only matters if you have any need to use it. Teams is a little more stable, especially with a lot of people on a call. Skype is easier to set up and to operate. Skype also has a larger install base.
Read full review
Professional Services
Google
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
The service provided is up to date, as discussed before buying.
Read full review
Return on Investment
Google
  • In my work it allows us to report troubles that may cost loss of investment thru Google Hangouts Chat we were able to communicate on how to fix it.
  • I hope we can make it on our own choice of colors to heightened workers vibe
  • It is connected to your email
Read full review
Microsoft
  • Skype made keeping in touch with an advisor in Mexico very easy. The initiative there resulted in 5 new partnerships.
  • Skype has helped me with account management for at least 3 customers in LATAM--usually it's a fast way to answer a question about a support renewal.
  • For about 9 months Skype helped me stay in touch with a colleague in Prague. We would meet once a week to go over sales activities.
Read full review
ScreenShots