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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Skype (discontinued)

    Score7.1 out of 10
    N/ASkype (the personal edition or Skype free) was a web meeting, video conferencing, and VoIP software, now superseded by Microsoft Teams' free edition and unsupported from May 2025.

    $2.99

    per month

    RealVNC Connect

    Score8.9 out of 10
    N/ARealVNC® Connect is a secure remote access solution from RealVNC. It can be used to connect to a remote device anywhere in the world to view its desktop in real-time and take control as though sitting in front of it.

    $99

    per year (one concurrent session)

    Pricing
    Skype (discontinued)RealVNC Connect
    Editions & Modules
    United States Subscription
    $2.99
    per month
    North America Subscription
    $6.99
    per month
    India Subscription
    $7.99
    per month
    Essentials
    $8.25
    per month (billed annually) per concurrent session
    Plus
    $16.50
    per month (billed annually) per concurrent session (add up to 3)
    Premium
    $29.75
    per month (billed annually) per concurrent session (add up to 5)
    Enterprise
    Custom Pricing
    per year
    Enterprise
    Custom Pricing
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Skype (discontinued)RealVNC Connect
    Free Trial
    NoYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoYes
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details—Plans work on a Per Concurrent Session basis. Each plan gives access to a bundled number of devices, but limits apply to the amount of devices that can be connected at any given time. The Premium plan includes On-Demand Assist, a useful tool for providing just-in-time remote support to end-users without them needing RealVNC Connect installed on their device.
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    Skype (discontinued)RealVNC Connect
    Considered Both Products
    Discontinued Products
    No answer on this topic
    RealVNC
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    86%
    Would buy again
    85 Answers
    100%
    Would buy again
    11 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    93%
    Delivers good value for the price
    80 Answers
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    10 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    85%
    Happy with the feature set
    84 Answers
    100%
    Happy with the feature set
    11 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    84%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    53 Answers
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    7 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    96%
    Implementation went as expected
    70 Answers
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    11 Answers
    Features
    Skype (discontinued)RealVNC Connect
    Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software
    Comparison of Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software features of Skype (discontinued) and RealVNC Connect
    Feature
    Skype (discontinued)
    6.2
    138 Ratings
    24% below category average
    RealVNC Connect
    -
    Ratings
    High quality audio6.5135 Ratings00 Ratings
    High quality video7.2133 Ratings00 Ratings
    Low bandwidth requirements5.5130 Ratings00 Ratings
    Mobile support5.5118 Ratings00 Ratings
    Screen Sharing
    Comparison of Screen Sharing features of Skype (discontinued) and RealVNC Connect
    Feature
    Skype (discontinued)
    6.2
    119 Ratings
    25% below category average
    RealVNC Connect
    -
    Ratings
    Desktop sharing5.5118 Ratings00 Ratings
    Whiteboards6.860 Ratings00 Ratings
    Online Meetings / Events
    Comparison of Online Meetings / Events features of Skype (discontinued) and RealVNC Connect
    Feature
    Skype (discontinued)
    6.0
    118 Ratings
    31% below category average
    RealVNC Connect
    -
    Ratings
    Calendar integration6.185 Ratings00 Ratings
    Meeting initiation6.3106 Ratings00 Ratings
    Integrates with social media4.465 Ratings00 Ratings
    Record meetings / events7.077 Ratings00 Ratings
    Slideshows6.268 Ratings00 Ratings
    Online Events Collaboration
    Comparison of Online Events Collaboration features of Skype (discontinued) and RealVNC Connect
    Feature
    Skype (discontinued)
    5.3
    111 Ratings
    41% below category average
    RealVNC Connect
    -
    Ratings
    Live chat5.5110 Ratings00 Ratings
    Audience polling5.364 Ratings00 Ratings
    Q&A5.362 Ratings00 Ratings
    Online Events Security
    Comparison of Online Events Security features of Skype (discontinued) and RealVNC Connect
    Feature
    Skype (discontinued)
    7.4
    101 Ratings
    9% below category average
    RealVNC Connect
    -
    Ratings
    User authentication8.988 Ratings00 Ratings
    Participant roles & permissions7.183 Ratings00 Ratings
    Confidential attendee list6.260 Ratings00 Ratings
    VoIP system collaboration
    Comparison of VoIP system collaboration features of Skype (discontinued) and RealVNC Connect
    Feature
    Skype (discontinued)
    6.5
    4 Ratings
    12% below category average
    RealVNC Connect
    -
    Ratings
    Video conferencing5.74 Ratings00 Ratings
    Audio conferencing6.54 Ratings00 Ratings
    Video screen sharing6.14 Ratings00 Ratings
    Instant messaging7.94 Ratings00 Ratings
    Remote Administration
    Comparison of Remote Administration features of Skype (discontinued) and RealVNC Connect
    Feature
    Skype (discontinued)
    -
    Ratings
    RealVNC Connect
    7.3
    32 Ratings
    8% below category average
    Screen sharing00 Ratings9.028 Ratings
    File transfer00 Ratings8.015 Ratings
    Instant message00 Ratings6.119 Ratings
    Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication00 Ratings7.05 Ratings
    Access to sleeping/powered-off computers00 Ratings6.09 Ratings
    Over-the-Internet remote session00 Ratings9.030 Ratings
    Initiate remote control from mobile00 Ratings9.019 Ratings
    Remote management of servers & workstations00 Ratings4.76 Ratings
    Centralized management dashboard00 Ratings7.116 Ratings
    Session record00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
    Annotations00 Ratings5.36 Ratings
    Monitoring and Alerts00 Ratings7.03 Ratings
    Multi-platform remote control00 Ratings9.011 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    Skype (discontinued)RealVNC Connect
    Small Businesses
    ClickMeeting
    Score9.5 out of 10
    N-able Take Control
    Score7.2 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    JioMeet
    Score9.8 out of 10
    Remote Desktop Manager
    Score9.6 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Webex Meetings
    Score8.7 out of 10
    BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access
    Score9.1 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Skype (discontinued)RealVNC Connect
    Likelihood to Recommend
    9.3
    (140 ratings)
    9.7
    (38 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    10.0
    (5 ratings)
    8.0
    (8 ratings)
    Usability
    6.0
    (4 ratings)
    8.0
    (4 ratings)
    Availability
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Performance
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Support Rating
    10.0
    (42 ratings)
    8.0
    (2 ratings)
    Online Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.0
    (2 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    10.0
    (3 ratings)
    8.0
    (2 ratings)
    Configurability
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Contract Terms and Pricing Model
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Ease of integration
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Product Scalability
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Professional Services
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Vendor post-sale
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Vendor pre-sale
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Skype (discontinued)RealVNC Connect
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Discontinued Products
    Having interacted with a new replacement tool, Microsoft Teams, it is challenging to recommend Skype, as it lacks some essential features, such as being less equipped with the latest updates, and it is not platform-independent, causing issues on PCs and phones, as well as during calls that might hinder work.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    It is very easy to use if the remote device is already set up to receive connections, so if you are setting up devices before deploying them, it is a great tool to have. It is well-suited to use when shadowing users or using it as a teaching tool. There are other products that are better if you are trying to help someone on a one-use basis.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Discontinued Products
    • 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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    • VNC Connect does an excellent job in remotely connecting to a computer through either your local area network or even another computer on the internet. As long as the VNC Connect services is installed and the client is running in the background.
    • VNC Connect provides password protection to prevent unauthorized users from attempting to remotely access your computer. There's an option to have a separate password to remotely view vs view & access a computer. You can even add an additional level of security by turning on the feature to require Windows login credentials.
    • VNC Connect provides an additional set of controls after a remote connection has been established with another computer. You can have special keystrokes like Ctrl+Alt+Del sent as a command sequence to the other computer as well as access more than a single screen when in use at the remote computer location.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Discontinued Products
    • 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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    • Its a pretty straight forward product - I would like to see more tools with a "wow" factor.
    • Panel colors are blah - I would like more eye-catching colors.
    • A more consistent look with all platforms - like Mac & PC.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    Discontinued Products
    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
    RealVNC
    VNC is a solid product for the price. It simply works and its reliable across different platforms. Some products state they work well in the Mac environment but don't deliver. This one does what it says. Connections are reliable, but of course, this depends on internet connections. The product works well over wireless connections as well. It delivers on what a remote tool should deliver on. My technicians are happy with the product and customers appreciate the ease of use when letting us connect to their systems. Some also appreciate the remote support while they are multi-task.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Discontinued Products
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    It's a niche product and in that niche they try to cater to as many use cases as they can. Other as a TCO aspect i don't see many use cases where you can't use this product as the one tool for all remote session use cases in your company
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Discontinued Products
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    VNC Connect is a reliable product that has been around for a long time. It is reasonably priced and works well in the Mac & PC environment. When you have a small team that supports many users we need tools that we can rely upon and that will get the job done on the first try. Many customers appreciate the quick assistance and can multi-task while our team works on their computer issues remotely. From a customer service point of view, this tool gives us transparency and efficient effectiveness.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Online Training
    Discontinued Products
    No answers on this topic
    RealVNC
    The training is very informative, quick and to the point. All of the details one would need are present so the user doesn't have to go searching for additional information just to use the application. The layout of the training was also neat and concise, some of the other training sessions for other companies I've done in the past were confusing and not well thought out, this one is much more superior
    Read full review
    Implementation Rating
    Discontinued Products
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    No problem at all, love the product.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    Discontinued Products
    We use Skype in combination with Grasshopper. While Grasshopper acts as a routing toll free number with extensions, if we are making calls directly, we do it through Skype. Skype's desktop and mobile apps are easier to use, and provide unlimited local calls at a flat, affordable rate. Allowing our team to use their existing mobile or desktop devices without additional hardware for business office phone calls is important, and Skype makes that possible
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    VNC is light and sleek with the quick setup, was impressed with the quick setup despite poor Internet connection outdoor. TeamViewer is good, but the pricing is not as good as VNC. Both do the basic job, but VNC still outperform TeamViewer in terms of performance and ease of use.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Professional Services
    Discontinued Products
    The service provided is up to date, as discussed before buying.
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    No answers on this topic
    Return on Investment
    Discontinued Products
    • 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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    • I have just used the software for about 1 month and so far so god. I am saving time whenever I can access my client's computers from my desk as opposed to having to leave my office to go to their offices. Saves me time and the client money.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    RealVNC Connect Screenshots

    Screenshot of the Device List in the Connect v8 desktop appScreenshot of On-Demand Assist, which can be used to start a remote support session using a single-use code.