Microsoft retired Skype on 5 May 2025 and now redirects skype.com to Microsoft Teams; new sign-ups are no longer available and this entry is kept for reference. Skype is a versatile telecommunications application that specializes in providing video chat and voice call services between devices. Users can communicate across the globe through internet connections with features designed for both personal conversations and business meetings. Owned by Microsoft, the platform also offers instant messaging, file sharing, and affordable international landline calling options. It remains a staple tool for long-distance communication, remote work collaboration, and virtual family gatherings.
Zoom is a video communications platform known for reliable, low-latency video calls that scale from one-on-one meetings to large webinars and virtual events. It became a household name during remote-work adoption and remains a default choice for external client calls and conferences. Beyond core meetings, the Zoom Workplace suite bundles team chat, whiteboarding, and Zoom Phone for VoIP calling, positioning it as a broader collaboration platform rather than just a meetings app. AI Companion, Zoom's built-in assistant, provides meeting summaries, smart chapters, and follow-up task suggestions automatically after calls end.
Free for meetings up to 40 minutes; paid plans start at $13.33/user/month.
- Free peer-to-peer audio and video calls
- Cross-platform availability on major devices
- Built-in live translation and subtitles
- Affordable international calling rates to phones
- Very reliable connection quality
- Simple, familiar interface
- Strong webinar features
- Good screen sharing and annotation
- Can be resource-heavy on older hardware
- Declining user base compared to newer competitors
- Occasional connectivity and synchronization issues
- Free plan 40-minute limit on group calls
- Additional cost for Phone and Webinar add-ons
- History of past security/privacy scrutiny
What reviewers say
Skype Reviews
No reviews yet.
Zoom Reviews
4.0 (2)Works, with some caveats
Zoom is solid overall, though it's not perfect. On the plus side, strong webinar features. That said, additional cost for phone and webinar add-ons, which held us back from rating it higher.
Highly recommend Zoom
Zoom has quickly become part of our daily workflow. Good screen sharing and annotation. No major complaints so far. Would recommend to anyone considering it.
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Skype
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Alternatives to Zoom
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataZoom offers a more robust, business‑focused video platform with stronger webinar and phone features, while Skype is a free, general‑purpose tool with limited enterprise depth.
Key differences
- •Zoom includes AI meeting summaries and a built‑in whiteboard; Skype does not
- •Zoom supports webinars up to 50,000 view‑only attendees; Skype lacks webinar capability
- •Zoom provides a paid Phone (VoIP) service; Skype only offers peer‑to‑peer calls
- •Zoom integrates with Slack, Google Calendar, Salesforce; Skype integrates mainly with Microsoft Office/Outlook
- •Zoom’s free tier limits group calls to 40 minutes; Skype’s free calls have no such time cap
Pricing & value
Zoom’s paid plans start at $13.33/user/mo; Skype is freemium but lacks many enterprise features.
Ease of use / learning curve
Zoom’s familiar interface is praised for simplicity; Skype can be resource‑heavy on older hardware.
Features & depth
Zoom offers AI summaries, webinars, whiteboard, and Zoom Phone; Skype provides basic calls and chat only.
Integrations & ecosystem
Zoom integrates with Slack, Google Calendar, Salesforce; Skype’s key integrations are limited to Microsoft Office/Outlook.
Collaboration
Zoom includes screen sharing, annotation, whiteboard, and large‑scale webinars; Skype lacks collaborative whiteboard.
Scalability
Zoom can host webinars for up to 50,000 view‑only attendees; Skype has no comparable large‑audience feature.
Support
Zoom offers 24/7 support on paid plans; Skype provides only online Help Center and community support.
Security & privacy
Skype has no noted security controversies; Zoom has a history of past security/privacy scrutiny.
Migration / lock‑in
Skype is being retired and directs users to Teams, indicating a forced migration; Zoom remains actively developed.
Choose Skype if…
Individuals or small teams wanting free, unlimited peer‑to‑peer calls without enterprise features.
Choose Zoom if…
Businesses needing reliable meetings, webinars, or integrated phone service with strong support.
Common questions
Can Zoom’s free plan be used for unlimited group meetings?
No; group calls on Zoom’s free tier are limited to 40 minutes each.
Does Skype support large webinars or virtual events?
No; Skype does not offer webinar functionality or support for thousands of attendees.
What support is available on paid Zoom plans versus Skype?
Zoom provides 24/7 support on paid plans; Skype only offers an online Help Center and community forums.