Zoom vs Skype: Which is Right for You?

Last Updated on July 6, 2023 by Ewen Finser

As remote work continues to grow in popularity, software that helps connect a domestic or global team is a necessity for team communication. With nearly 90% of remote teams connecting with video conferencing, it’s no wonder video conferencing is expected to hit $20 million by 2024.

While Skype has been well known for years (released in 2003), it was mainly used for leisure. Due to coronavirus (2019) and the necessity for remote workers, both Zoom and Skype have recently gained traction.

In March 2020, Zoom ranked as the most downloaded app in the Apple AppStore as reported by CNN. However, Skype has now integrated with Microsoft Teams and Office 365 so it’s important not to discount the established tech for business use.

While both platforms can connect your teams, each software has unique advantages and flaws that are worth noting. We take a deep dive into Zoom vs Skype to help you choose the best platform for your important business communication.

Main Differences Between Zoom vs Skype

The main differences between Zoom vs Skype are:

• Zoom can handle up to 1,000 participants on its highest-paid plan, whereas Skype can only handle 250.
• Zoom offers breakout sessions for dividing participants into groups, whereas Skype does not.
• Zoom features individual meeting URLs, whereas Skype does not.
• Zoom has 24/7 email/phone and chat support, whereas Skype has bot and email support.
• Zoom allows 100 free participants for the free version, whereas Skype allows 50.
• Zoom does not have live video transcription in 10 languages, whereas Skype does.
• Zoom is only available through the Internet, whereas Skype can connect to people via landline and mobile phone.

Zoom vs Skype: The Similarities

• 1080p video quality
• No sign in or downloading of the app to use the platform (can join by link)
• Screen share
• Meeting recording and transcripts (Skype recordings are stored for up to 30 days, Zoom gives you 1GB of cloud recording in Zoom Pro)
• Cloud storage
• Whiteboard
• File sharing
• Video conferencing
• Digital audio calling
• Instant messaging
• Virtual or blurred backgrounds
• Compatible with a web browser, phone, Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS
• Integration with Microsoft Teams and Slack

Zoom vs Skype: What is Zoom?

Zoom was created with larger businesses in mind. It can accommodate up to 1,000 participants and show a grid of 49 video participants at one time. Zoom separates itself from the competition by offering breakout sessions, which allow larger meetings to be segmented into smaller teams, webinar hosting, and powerful reporting tools.

 

While Zoom has a 40 minute limit on its free plan, that limit only applies to video calls with 3 participants or more. You can still complete no time limit one-on-one calls using their free plan.

Pro tip: To extend a 40-minute meeting, try clicking on the same invite link to extend your call.

Zoom vs Skype: What is Skype?

Skype was created in 2003 with the initial intention of connecting people over the Internet via voice calls. Over time it has added instant messaging and video calls. It is currently compatible with web browsers, smartphones, tablets, Xbox, and Amazon Alexa.

Skype is now integrated with Microsoft Teams and Office 365. This integration makes it easy for up to 50 participants to participate in an online business meeting with no time limits.

Zoom vs Skype: The Main Features of Zoom

Host Controls

With Zoom, the host can mute all microphones if there is a noise distraction, control presentation access, and even allow participants to virtually raise their hands. The chat feature gives one-on-one access with the instructor and other participants.

Waiting Room

Zoom has been recently criticized for its lack of security. Its security breaches have led to “Zoombombing” in which users can use the screen-sharing feature to display unwanted adult imagery during a meeting.

To respond to these security issues, Zoom introduced “Waiting Room”, which gives control to the host regarding when participants can join the meeting. It also added additional password protocols to keep meetings drama free. These features are available to both free and paid accounts.

Webinars

One of the major advantages of Zoom is the ability to host professional webinars within the platform. You can host online events with up to 100 interactive video participants and 10,000+ attendees. You can even record the event and share it for those who were unable to attend.

Webinars include powerful reporting and analytics. You can even put your branding on registration invites and integrate directly with your CMS. Additional benefits include:

• HD video and audio
• Integration with Facebook Live, Youtube, Marketo, Salesforce
• Unlimited audio for VolP and global dial-in
• (toll applies) for 120+ countries
• One-click HD screen share (video and audio)
• Closed captioning
• Host controls
• Connect from anywhere – desktop, laptop, mobile, Zoom Rooms, and Zoom Conference Room Connectors
• Polling and Q&A
• Monetize through PayPal integration

Zoom vs Skype: The Main Features of Skype

Meet Now

To mirror Zoom’s feature of getting rid of the sign-up process, Skype has created “Meet Now”. Skype makes it easy to create a free meeting by clicking and button and sharing an invitation link. Once you click on the link you can click “start call”.

Plus, you can blur your background within Meet Now. This is a great feature if you share a home or office space or juggle multiple roles and want to guarantee no unwanted guests will appear during your business meeting or interview.

Live Transcription

Skype can translate calls in real-time, even with the free plan. This feature is available due to Skype’s speech recognition software.

You can choose to turn on subtitles during individual calls using the plus symbol at the bottom right during a conversation or turn it on permanently under your profile by clicking “Settings/Calls/Call Subtitles”.

The transcription feature will add subtitles to Skype calls in up to 10 different languages (60 languages are available for chat).

Microsoft Teams Integration

If you use the Microsoft Teams integration, you can chat or call Skype users using their email address. Skype users can also perform the same search regarding Microsoft Teams users.

Zoom vs Skype: Pricing

Zoom

Basic / Free	Pro / $14.99 per month / host	Business / $19.99 per month / host	Enterprise / $19.99 per month / host
Host up to 100 participants Unlimited one-to-one meetings 40 mins limit on group meetings Unlimited number of meetings Ticket Support Video Conferencing Features Web Conferencing Features Group Collaboration Features Security	All Basic features Includes 100 participants Meeting duration limit is 24 hrs User management Admin feature controls Reporting Custom Personal Meeting ID Assign scheduler 1GB of MP4 or M4A cloud recording REST API Skype for Business (Lync) interoperability Optional Add-on Plans	All-Pro features Includes 300 participants Dedicated phone support Admin dashboard Vanity URL Option for on-premise deployment Managed domains Single sign-on Company branding Custom emails LTI integration Cloud Recording Transcripts Optional Add-on Plans	All Business features Enterprise includes 500 participants Enterprise Plus includes 1,000 participants Unlimited Cloud Storage Dedicated Customer Success Manager Executive Business Reviews Bundle discounts on Webinars and Zoom Rooms

Zoom Phone

Starting at $10/mo/user *

• Single app for voice, video, voicemail, messaging, meetings, and conferencing
• Seamlessly make and receive PSTN calls over cellular voice, cellular data, or WiFi connections
• Native Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android apps

Zoom Rooms

$49.00/mo/room

• Software-Defined Video Conferencing system for any sized Conference Room
• High-quality video, audio and web conferencing for Mac, PC or Touchscreen

• Screen sharing with Wi-Fi, Airplay or wired HDMI connection
• Integrates with Google or Microsoft Exchange calendar

H.323 Room Connector

$49.00/mo/port *

• Connect your H.323/SIP systems with desktop, tablet, mobile devices, Zoom Rooms, and other H.323/SIP endpoints
• Works with many legacy endpoints including Polycom, Cisco, Lifesize and others
• Cloud-based or on-premise (VM) room connector

Video Webinar

Starting at $40/mo/host for 100 attendees *

• 100 interactive video panelists
• Plans ranging from 100 to 10,000 view-only attendees
• Host controls such as mute/unmute panelists, recording and more
• Q/A with live or text answers, polling, registration, and reporting
• Live streaming to unlimited audiences on Facebook Live and YouTube

Audio Plan

Starting at $100/mo *

Audio Plan starts at $100/month and is billed based on the rates per call per country. If you exceed the $100/month commitment for calls, you will be charged overage usage based on the rates listed.

• All paid plans come with local toll numbers, but Audio Plan allows you to add Call Out, global Toll-free and local dial-in for premium countries
• No charge to your participants to call in from any device
• Easily select one or multiple countries for Toll-free call-in

Additional Cloud Recording Storage

Starting at $40.00/GB/mo *

• Store, stream and download your video recordings from the Zoom Cloud
• MP4 or M4A file formats available
• Storage options include up to 3TB/month

* You must have at least one licensed host to purchase these Add-on plans.

Skype

Free

Skype is free to use over the Internet for use with Skype to Skype calls.

Skype Phone

However, if you want to use Skype to connect to someone through their landline or cell phone, you can purchase a monthly subscription for $3 (includes 2,000 domestic minutes). If you need more than 2,000, Skype will charge you 15 cents per minute once you have reached your limit for the month.

Monthly subscription plans:

• Domestic (the U.S. only): $3 / month
• U.S. and Canada: $4 / month
• North America: $7 / month
• World: $14 / month

Skype Credits

Skype allows you to purchase credits for as low as $5 to call any country worldwide. You can also use the credits if you think you won’t use enough minutes signing up for the subscription plan.

• $5 up to 165 minutes
• $10 up to 330 minutes
• $25 up to 830 minutes

Zoom vs Skype: Support

Zoom

Zoom has an extensive online help center that provides support topics on everything from getting started to webinars to zoom rooms. Quickstart guides include a top 20 resources that are easy to view and click.

If you are a visual learner, Zoom also provides 25 video tutorials that are categorized by service so you can get information quickly.

After viewing the resources, you still need help with Zoom or your account, they offer 24/7 (even holidays) customer service via email, phone, and chat. Support ticket submission is only open to paid subscription plans.

Support tickets are given a priority level with consideration of how it is affecting your service with Zoom. The priority levels are as follows:

• Priority 1 – Urgent: 1 Hour
• Priority 2 – High: 4 Hours
• Priority 3 – Normal: 24 Hours
• Priority 4 – Low: 24 Hours

Skype

Skype features categorized help topics for getting started, calling, messaging, and more. The topics only provide popular FAQs in a standard written format.

You can post a question in the Skype forums if you are unable to easily find your answer in the FAQs. See below for example forum posts and answer times.

You can also chat with a virtual agent to find a solution to your issue. Finally, contact a support team member by contact form if you are having specific issues with your account.

Zoom vs Skype: Pros and Cons

Zoom

Pros

• Screen-share
• Live video chat
• Meeting analytics
• Whiteboard for brainstorming
• Third-party integrations (Slack, Zapier)
• The free plan includes up to 100 participants (up to 49 visible at once)
• 24/7 tech support
• Webinars
• Individual meeting URLs
• Breakout sessions (segmented groups)
• Virtual hand raising
• Custom virtual backgrounds

Cons

• Can be difficult to learn
• Video and audio quality can be unpredictable
• Chat features not always available
• Security issues

Skype

Pros

• Good for business and leisure
• Connect with friends and family through phone calls over the internet
• IM
• Video chats
• Document sharing
• Screen sharing
• White-board, poll, Q&A
• Free version available
• Purchased by Microsoft, integrates with Microsoft Teams and Office 365
• Blur my background
• React emoji
• Call recording
• End-to-end encryption (Skype to Skype)
• Apps for Xbox One and Amazon Echo

Cons

• Calls can freeze up, causing the caller to restart the call
• Customer service can be slow to respond
• UX is not streamlined
• The program takes excessive bandwidth

Frequently Asked Questions

Zoom vs Skype: Which One is Best?

Both Zoom and Skype can give you a solid team communication experience. If connecting via the Internet, you should double-check your current equipment for compatibility. You will need a high-quality webcam (either built-in or external) and high-speed Internet (1.2Mbps for Skype and 3Mbps for Zoom). You will also need to invest in a dependable USB microphone for superior audio quality. However, both Skype and Zoom are also available on mobile phones for use on the go. Here check more information on how Zoom vs GoToMeeting compares before making a decision!

Skype is better for small businesses that are already using Microsoft products. Integrated with Microsoft teams and Office 365, the possibilities for collaboration are endless. If you prefer to have meetings with less than 50 people with no time limits, the free version of Skype will be sufficient.

Zoom is geared for teams that require video meetings regularly. With advanced host controls, professional webinars, and even payment integration, you can take business meetings to a profitable eCommerce level. If you consistently have over 50 people in your meeting or need more than 40 minutes, choose a Zoom paid plan. Dedicated 24/7 support is also available for paid users.

Further reading:

• Zoom vs Cisco Webex: Is Zoom Really the Best?
• GoToMeeting vs GoToWebinar: Which Is The Best?
• Webex vs GoToMeeting, Which Is the Best Tool to Use?
• 5 Top Cisco WebEx Alternatives for Online Collaboration