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    N/ASkype (the personal edition or Skype free) was a web meeting, video conferencing, and VoIP software, now superseded by Microsoft Teams' free edition and unsupported from May 2025.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

    WatchGuard Network Security

    Score8.8 out of 10
    N/AWatchGuard Network Security is a network security and firewall software. WatchGuard includes secure Wi-Fi, multi-factor authentication, and network intelligence products and services designed for SMB’s.N/A
    Pricing
    Skype (discontinued)WatchGuard Network Security
    Editions & Modules
    United States Subscription
    $2.99
    per month
    North America Subscription
    $6.99
    per month
    India Subscription
    $7.99
    per month
    Support
    Contact sales team
    Contact sales team
    Basic Security
    Contact sales team
    Contact sales team
    Total Security
    Contact sales team
    Contact sales team
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Skype (discontinued)WatchGuard Network Security
    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
    Skype (discontinued)WatchGuard Network Security
    Considered Both Products
    Discontinued Products
    No answer on this topic
    WatchGuard Technologies
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    86%
    Would buy again
    85 Answers
    96%
    Would buy again
    423 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    93%
    Delivers good value for the price
    80 Answers
    96%
    Delivers good value for the price
    407 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    85%
    Happy with the feature set
    84 Answers
    98%
    Happy with the feature set
    432 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    84%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    53 Answers
    95%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    362 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    96%
    Implementation went as expected
    70 Answers
    97%
    Implementation went as expected
    401 Answers
    Features
    Skype (discontinued)WatchGuard Network Security
    Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software
    Comparison of Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software features of Skype (discontinued) and WatchGuard Network Security
    Feature
    Skype (discontinued)
    6.2
    138 Ratings
    24% below category average
    WatchGuard Network Security
    -
    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 WatchGuard Network Security
    Feature
    Skype (discontinued)
    6.2
    119 Ratings
    25% below category average
    WatchGuard Network Security
    -
    Ratings
    Desktop sharing5.5118 Ratings00 Ratings
    Whiteboards6.860 Ratings00 Ratings
    Online Meetings / Events
    Comparison of Online Meetings / Events features of Skype (discontinued) and WatchGuard Network Security
    Feature
    Skype (discontinued)
    6.0
    118 Ratings
    31% below category average
    WatchGuard Network Security
    -
    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 WatchGuard Network Security
    Feature
    Skype (discontinued)
    5.3
    111 Ratings
    41% below category average
    WatchGuard Network Security
    -
    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 WatchGuard Network Security
    Feature
    Skype (discontinued)
    7.4
    101 Ratings
    9% below category average
    WatchGuard Network Security
    -
    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 WatchGuard Network Security
    Feature
    Skype (discontinued)
    6.5
    4 Ratings
    12% below category average
    WatchGuard Network Security
    -
    Ratings
    Video conferencing5.74 Ratings00 Ratings
    Audio conferencing6.54 Ratings00 Ratings
    Video screen sharing6.14 Ratings00 Ratings
    Instant messaging7.94 Ratings00 Ratings
    Firewall
    Comparison of Firewall features of Skype (discontinued) and WatchGuard Network Security
    Feature
    Skype (discontinued)
    -
    Ratings
    WatchGuard Network Security
    8.1
    537 Ratings
    6% below category average
    Identification Technologies00 Ratings8.4493 Ratings
    Visualization Tools00 Ratings6.9485 Ratings
    Content Inspection00 Ratings8.3517 Ratings
    Policy-based Controls00 Ratings8.9533 Ratings
    Active Directory and LDAP00 Ratings8.7448 Ratings
    Firewall Management Console00 Ratings8.6524 Ratings
    Reporting and Logging00 Ratings6.8521 Ratings
    VPN00 Ratings8.8514 Ratings
    High Availability00 Ratings8.2467 Ratings
    Stateful Inspection00 Ratings8.0479 Ratings
    Proxy Server00 Ratings7.8344 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    Skype (discontinued)WatchGuard Network Security
    Small Businesses
    ClickMeeting
    Score9.5 out of 10
    SonicWall NSA Series
    Score8.3 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    JioMeet
    Score9.8 out of 10
    Barracuda CloudGen Firewall
    Score9.6 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Webex Meetings
    Score8.7 out of 10
    Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software
    Score9 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Skype (discontinued)WatchGuard Network Security
    Likelihood to Recommend
    9.3
    (140 ratings)
    8.7
    (555 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    10.0
    (5 ratings)
    8.0
    (45 ratings)
    Usability
    6.0
    (4 ratings)
    7.9
    (123 ratings)
    Availability
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.9
    (7 ratings)
    Performance
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    7.5
    (7 ratings)
    Support Rating
    10.0
    (42 ratings)
    9.4
    (32 ratings)
    In-Person Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.3
    (5 ratings)
    Online Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.2
    (3 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    10.0
    (3 ratings)
    8.1
    (269 ratings)
    Configurability
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.6
    (6 ratings)
    Contract Terms and Pricing Model
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Ease of integration
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    6.8
    (5 ratings)
    Product Scalability
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.8
    (7 ratings)
    Professional Services
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Vendor post-sale
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    9.1
    (5 ratings)
    Vendor pre-sale
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.3
    (5 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Skype (discontinued)WatchGuard Network Security
    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
    WatchGuard Technologies
    It's well suited for businesses that want better features than a standard router, but are willing to pay the extra price for the product and someone to configure, set up and maintain the router. It's probably less desirable for home users or very small home offices or unqualified network users.
    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
    WatchGuard Technologies
    • Incoming Torrent attempts were blocked, but outgoing (by a user) were permitted. Similarly, other direct attempts were summarily blocked.
    • provides full administrative support for analysis of usage and scope.
    • strong Wi-Fi support and security - area wi-fi maps
    • They think of all the things secure and I don't have to worry about it.
    • I have not identified anything else that needs improvement - I am well satisfied.
    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
    WatchGuard Technologies
    • Better integration with VoIP services, such as templates for policies handling traffic for Bria or Asterisk endponts and servers.
    • Get webblocker to work without breaking secure websites.
    • Lower cost on endpoint agents for antivirus and include application control and webblocker with the agents.
    • Make the cost per endpoint with TDR and Netowrk access control lower than the cost of Antivirus licensing that is not integrated.
    • Make it easier to set up network access control and VLAN assignment by device, perhaps with templates.
    • Get webblocker and application control working with QUIC.
    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
    WatchGuard Technologies
    We have been renewing and purchasing new equipment for the last 20 years. This is because the equipment is easy to use and manage and also quite affordable. Compared to other products, Watchguard just works and has not had the issues with device security seen in other products. They have been a reliable partner.
    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
    WatchGuard Technologies
    Although it might take some time to figure out, we have been able to use WatchGuard's online reference library and tech support to create/implement/modify all of our filtering rules and exceptions needed. There really has not been a shortcoming other than perhaps a learning curve.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Reliability and Availability
    Discontinued Products
    No answers on this topic
    WatchGuard Technologies
    Availability has always been a strong point of this product, it is rare that watchguard does not have a solution for customers' network monitoring needs.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Performance
    Discontinued Products
    No answers on this topic
    WatchGuard Technologies
    The performance of WatchGuard Network Security is very good, in the years that we have used the solution we have only had a single error and Watchguard itself was able to solve it. Furthermore, when purchasing any product, the partner always evaluates the capacity of the solution to recommend the most appropriate product for our needs.
    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
    WatchGuard Technologies
    We have only had to contact them once during the initial set up to help bring the internet back on line. After that for the most part our systems have been automated, and could easily be checked form their online FAQ and Knowledge base that they provide. Everything else is easily handled from their browser based interface
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    In-Person Training
    Discontinued Products
    No answers on this topic
    WatchGuard Technologies
    We participate to a in person training and the three days of learning was really useful and complete to gain skill to solve the major part of the problem we encounter during our life. And more the in person training give us the opportunity to create a network with other WatchGuard partner.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Online Training
    Discontinued Products
    No answers on this topic
    WatchGuard Technologies
    Online training is good for learning how to use the product. It does not teach security strategy because that is not its intent.
    Incentivized
    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
    WatchGuard Technologies
    WatchGuard Network Security offers varied methods of implementation. Their devices are very easy to set up manually, and for a more automated setup where many devices need to be deployed, they have different offerings like RapidDeploy (prepopulate a config for a specific device in the portal), registering the device's serial number to manage it through cloud services on first boot (including the option to populate a USB stick with basic interface setup if required) and the ability to run your own Management Server and register to be deployed serial numbers, so the device connects to your own hosted management server on first boot.
    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
    WatchGuard Technologies
    I was not involved with the decision making for WatchGuard versus another product. However, I know WatchGuard is significantly less expensive than other brands. My overall preference would be Ubiquiti due to their continuous improvement of the product with tons of great features. I know WatchGuard is making great advances, but the progress seems slower in comparison.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Scalability
    Discontinued Products
    No answers on this topic
    WatchGuard Technologies
    This product is very scalable since previously everything related to Watchguard was on premises but that has now changed with the inclusion of watchguard cloud. Now the product has evolved to have full control of firewalls at the cloud level.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Professional Services
    Discontinued Products
    The service provided is up to date, as discussed before buying.
    Read full review
    WatchGuard Technologies
    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
    WatchGuard Technologies
    • We are blocking about 90% of malicious traffic coming into our network.
    • Our firewall allows us to setup a secondary WAN interface for redundancy.
    • We can isolate issues and determine whether traffic is being dropped outside our network or on the LAN.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    WatchGuard Network Security Screenshots

    Screenshot of WatchGuard Cloud Customizable DashboardScreenshot of Threat Monitoring SummaryScreenshot of Device Security SummaryScreenshot of Automated ReportingScreenshot of User Authentication SummaryScreenshot of Endpoint Protection Summary