Skip to main content
TrustRadius

Overview

What is Skype?

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…

Read more
Recent Reviews

Great for one on one

6 out of 10
October 18, 2023
Incentivized
It has allowed us to connect with our team members around the world in one on one scenarios. It is helpful to be able to see them face to …
Continue reading

Call on a budget!

8 out of 10
November 09, 2021
Incentivized
We use Skype, to conduct and monitor all our Sales calls and reach out programs, It is used primarily by our sales, product/Ops, and …
Continue reading
Read all reviews

Awards

Products that are considered exceptional by their customers based on a variety of criteria win TrustRadius awards. Learn more about the types of TrustRadius awards to make the best purchase decision. More about TrustRadius Awards

Popular Features

View all 17 features
  • High quality audio (131)
    7.9
    79%
  • High quality video (129)
    7.8
    78%
  • Desktop sharing (114)
    7.3
    73%
  • Low bandwidth requirements (126)
    6.4
    64%

Reviewer Pros & Cons

View all pros & cons
Return to navigation

Pricing

View all pricing
N/A
Unavailable

What is Skype?

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.

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services

Would you like us to let the vendor know that you want pricing?

56 people also want pricing

Alternatives Pricing

What is GoTo Connect?

GoToConnect, from GoTo, is a cloud-based business phone system with built-in web-based video conferencing solutions. It includes features such as call analytics, call recording, softphone, fax to email, voicemail to email, and desktop integration.

What is PanTerra Networks?

PanTerra is a provider of unified cloud-based services for communications, enterprise file sharing and mobility solutions for mid-market enterprises (MME), headquartered in Santa Clara. The Company's Streams service provides - Unified Communications and SmartBox - Communications-Enabled Content…

Return to navigation

Product Demos

Skype Video Call Demo Video (No Audio)

YouTube

One Chat - All in one Messenger for WhatsApp, Fb, Skype & more

YouTube

Designing a Drawer / Sliding panel in Winform App C# (Skype Demo)

YouTube

Skype on Symbian Video Demo

YouTube

Demo of Skype for the iPhone

YouTube

Sony Xperia M Skype Video Call Demo - Front Camera Quality - PhoneRadar

YouTube
Return to navigation

Features

Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software

Features related to the performance, reliability & compatibility of web conferencing and webinar (online events) software.

7.4
Avg 8.0

Screen Sharing

Features related to remote screen sharing capabilities.

6.8
Avg 7.9

Online Meetings / Events

Features related to hosting and attending meetings and events online.

6.7
Avg 8.2

Online Events Collaboration

Features related to collaboration between attendees during web conferences, webinars, and other online events.

7.7
Avg 8.4

Online Events Security

Features related to the security of meetings and other events held via web conferencing/webinar software.

7.3
Avg 8.3
Return to navigation

Product Details

What is Skype?

Skype (the personal edition) is a free web meeting, video conferencing, and VoIP software. The free version includes instant messaging, audio and video Skype-to-Skype calls, the ability to call mobile phones and landlines, paid international calling, and conference calling capabilities for up to 25 people. During video sessions, users also have the option to share their screen with other participants. Other distinctive features include background blurring, voice and text translation, location share, conversation search, and integration with Microsoft's Digital Assistant, Cortana.

This version of Skype works on phones, desktop, tablet, browsers, Alexa, and Xbox. Users can call landlines and mobile phones from around the world by paying for Skype Credit or signing up for Skype subscriptions, a monthly contract for users who only need service to specific regions. Users can also pay to have a local phone number through Skype Numbers, so that they can answer phone calls from their desktops, tablets, or smartphones. They can also send SMS text messages and share their location using the Skype mobile app.


Skype Video

What is Skype?

Skype Technical Details

Operating SystemsUnspecified
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Reviewers rate Live chat highest, with a score of 8.4.

The most common users of Skype are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).
Return to navigation

Comparisons

View all alternatives
Return to navigation

Reviews and Ratings

(2595)

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(76-100 of 136)
Companies can't remove reviews or game the system. Here's why
October 28, 2019

Skype is a time-saver

Ray Fisher | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • It allows you to join in on meetings while out in the field by a mobile device.
  • Skype gives you the comfort of meeting from your own office/desk.
  • Skype saves you drive time and fuel costs.
  • Skype does everything that we expect it to do. No complaints that I am aware of.
Score 4 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Fast
  • Reliable
  • Easy to use
  • Emojis
  • Glitchy
  • Boring interface
  • No customization
  • No GIFs (like Slack)
  • Window is large even when manually minimized. At work, I'd prefer something minimalistic.
Shawngela Pierce | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Skype does video calls very well. The connection is usually good and the video quality is good.
  • The app for Skype on my iPad Pro is pretty awesome. I hardly ever use Skype on my computer because it has all the features I need.
  • I like that Skype is free for what I need. I have never needed to purchase Skype credits because I don't need to use voice mail, send SMS texts or make calls to a landline, cell or outside of Skype.
  • Honestly, I wish Skype was integrated more into the other apps I use. Although I do use Skype a lot, I prefer to use Google Meets because I automatically get a conference link when I add a meeting to my calendar. This just makes it easier for me.
  • Other than the above, I think Skype does a really good job - so good that most people mention Skype when I offer to do a video chat.
Gil Parrish | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Voice quality is excellent as compared to some other VOIP services.
  • Allows for recording and tracking of calls.
  • Maintains phonebook.
  • Updates should be sent as proactive emails.
  • Messaging is a little awkward.
  • Need the ability to change Skype name on the fly.
Erica Terry | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Love the document sharing and the text message chatting as well
  • Makes international calls easy, for a more personal feel
  • Spontaneity with this application makes connecting with others easy, and fun!
  • Sometimes it has trouble connecting to the server, so it can be spotty
  • It can freeze and stop when connection is spotty and take some time to reload.
Kaleb-John Loo | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Solid desktop application.
  • Good mobile application.
  • Array of features.
  • High-quality video and voice.
  • Configuration of Skype is particular.
  • If you have multiple input devices, it can be cumbersome to set up the correct one.
  • Sometimes it is not desired to launch Skype, but it is enabled by default. You have to change your settings to disable Skype.
September 19, 2019

Skype Review

Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Chat interface is very simple and easy to work with.
  • Video call quality is usually stable, with minor failures.
  • Easily integrates with the company Outlook mailing list, where all team members are easily found.
  • Group chat is not that flexible, so it's not able to compete with similar tools like Slack for example.
  • Performance is not amazing, it may be slow at times.
  • Although the interface is simple, it has room for improvement since it looks outdated.
Lindsey Schultz | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Offers immediate sending and receiving of messages between coworkers.
  • This is very easy to use for remote employees vs picking up the phone to answer a simple question.
  • It makes it easy to see if employees are busy in a meeting, free, or idle in order to see if they are ready and available to chat.
  • It is very straight forward and easy to use, I am not sure if it can get any easier!
  • It would be nice to have an easier way to set up group chats on Skype.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Video calls, voice calls, chats, and screen sharing.
  • Screen recording.
  • User search.
  • Mobile and desktop app performance.
  • Launch time on the desktop app takes too long.
  • It shouldn't impact other apps performance during launch.
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • It's a good communication tool.
  • Instant messaging.
  • Screen sharing and collaboration.
  • Loading time.
  • Sometimes the application freezes.
  • While using the system remotely, it takes longer to restart the app.
September 16, 2019

Skype lives up to the hype!

Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Super easy to use. Download the app and you're ready to go. We use the group video chat feature the most. quite often when having a sales meeting we have one person at home, another out in the field, maybe another at a doctor appointment, and then another in the office, and almost always one is driving. This allows us all to participate, get valuable information from each other right when you need to.
  • I had a really big meeting once and was on my way to the meeting when there was a huge accident on the freeway and I was stuck! Traffic was stopped, no way to get over or get off the freeway. So I called my prospective client and let him know what was happening and asked him if he minded doing a meeting over Skype. Long story short, I got the account. Eventually, I made it there in person to complete our meeting, but thanks to Skype I was able to save the deal.
  • Like anything really great, it slows down your computer. I'm not a techy person, but my guess is it uses a lot of space on the computer.
  • I have heard their firewalls are not the best and that people have hacked other peoples passwords and such, but personally I have not had this happen.
  • At one time I had trouble using it in quite a few areas around town, but that has improved.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Quick video call
  • Send documents
  • Group conversations
  • Audio is an issue for me every time I organize an audio call. I have to go in my settings and specify my audio output which is very annoying
  • Personally, I am one that loves to use emojis to build rapport and I find the app is very limited in that aspect
  • Not too sure if the possibility is there to record a session via Skype meeting but that would be great
  • Group conversations with split screens so people can work in teams
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Easy to learn and use.
  • Instantly reach out to others and get instant feedback in most cases.
  • Nicely laid-out interface.
  • Notifications used to be better, and it is easy to miss new messages if you are away from your desk.
  • Sometimes the systray icon becomes invisible.
  • Once in a while, it seems like it's just not running and I have to start it again.
Carlo Borja | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 6 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Video chat. It's smooth and the technology has been well perfected over the years.
  • It's fast. It loads and logs in instantly.
  • Very easy to use. No steep learning curve required.
  • Too much RAM usage. It is eating up all of our computer's resources.
  • There is a considerable lag for older computers doing a screen share.
  • Cannot handle a lot of users simultaneously doing a video chat.
Amanda Layman | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • User-friendliness _ It''s pretty easy to navigate.
  • Quality - Call quality is always good and I never have trouble hearing even when my calls are across the globe.
  • I don't use it often, so sometimes it's difficult to find the buttons I'm looking for when I sign-in.
Ho'omana Nathan Horton | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Skype for Business has grown quite a lot since its days as Microsoft Lync and is now quite nicely integrated with almost facets of Windows and Office (and other Microsoft stuff).
  • It's nice for inter-office communication when everyone's using Active Directory and has Skype for Business running.
  • Skype for Business works well even on non-Windows and/or non-university machines (e.g. personal computers).
  • Skype in general, including the Business version, can be pretty clunky, and surprisingly resource-hungry, especially when it's always running, and on machines with lower specs.
  • This resource hungriness can be worth it for quick IMs to other members of the same organization, but I really have a hard time recommending Skype over something like Zoom for videoconferencing.
  • Video communication with others in the same organization just doesn't always seem to work very well, even on the same network.
September 10, 2019

Good for the money

Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • It is a mobile application that can be used for voice and video calls which we use often.
  • It allows for file sharing between callers.
  • It allows the admissions staff to conduct one-on-one assessments.
  • I am not confident that it is a secure app, as I use it effectively in business. It is difficult to see if things are archived or fully deleted.
  • It does not allow us to do large conference type calls, especially video.
  • You can't do screen-sharing unless it exists and I haven't figured it out yet.
chongsok lim | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Many people already have Skype installed and already have experience.
  • We can use it free of charge.
  • Skype has a user-friendly UI.
  • The system should have automatic quality control while video conferencing, even if the network condition is poor.
  • Some people suffered from troubleshooting of their installation of Skype.
  • A recording function could be welcome for people.
Jeff Huisjen | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • Skype allows for easy sorting of your contacts in a way that makes it easy to group people together and know who you need to contact.
  • Skype seems to work well across multiple platforms; PC, Mac, and even handheld devices can use Skype in a way that is beneficial to their organizations.
  • Skype allows you to evaluate and engage in conversation in a face to face way when person to person meetings would be hard to manage.
  • Skype has been around for a while and there are now a lot of other platforms that do the same thing; Google Hangout, Dischord, etc. Skype may need something that differentiates them from the pack.
  • Unlike cell service, because Skype is video heavy in the cases we use it, poor service and connection can often be a major complication. This is, however, an issue for any video conferencing software.
Score 1 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
  • I guess one thing it does well is changing things around all the time. You feel like you're using a brand new product every time you log in.
  • Room for improvement: roll back to what it was before Microsoft acquisition.
  • Remove the forced Microsoft login. Make the "remember me" option available again so it won't sign me out every single time and force me to get a Microsoft account.
  • Bring back screenshot options.
  • I'm having a hard time finding 3 things it does well. It used to do many things quite well, but not since it's been bought out by Microsoft. It's now a disaster.
Return to navigation