Skype vs. Zoom
No matter your business size or industry, you need video conferencing software to connect with coworkers and customers alike. This technology supports real-time video calls, instant messaging, webinars, file sharing, and more.
This article compares Skype and Zoom, two very popular video conferencing solutions. We’ll describe how they differ in terms of features, usability, and pricing, making note of where one is significantly better than the other.
Our recommendations are based upon extensive research, discussions with small businesses, and dozens of hours spent hand-testing the leading video conferencing software platforms. Learn more about our research process here.
Skype & Zoom Comparison Summary
Skype and Zoom were tested in-house by SoftwarePundit. After testing, Skype received a SoftwarePundit Analyst rating of 87, while Zoom received a rating of 92.
Skype received a lower rating because it’s more outdated and there is no longer webinar functionality, as the Skype for Business plan was replaced with Microsoft Teams. However, it should be noted that Skype has strong international calling features and a valuable free plan.
On the other hand, Zoom is the most advanced video conferencing solution available.
Here’s a breakdown of our review criteria and how Skype and Zoom stacked up in each category.
| Criteria | Analyst Rating | Features | Usability | Pricing | Customer Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skype | 87 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 8 |
| Zoom | 92 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 |
Here are a few quick points to summarize who we recommend each tool for:
- You want four-hour calls for free
- Your main objective is high-quality international calls
- You aren’t interested in hosting webinars for your business
- You’re interested in powerful webinars
- You want higher participant limits in paid plans
- You won’t be hindered by 40-minute meetings on the free plan
Table of Contents
- Skype & Zoom Comparison Summary
- Who Should Purchase Skype?
- Who Should Purchase Zoom?
- Skype & Zoom Price Comparison
- Skype & Zoom Feature Comparison
- Bottom Line
Who Should Purchase Skype?
Skype is a communication platform that specializes in instant messaging and landline calls. For a low monthly price, customers are able to make calls to landlines across various countries.
Skype is notably helpful because it’s easier to join calls via a browser than with other tools, which incessantly prompt participants to download software. However, Skype is not among the best video conferencing platforms for businesses. It should be considered primarily if personal instant messaging and Skype to Phone are of particular interest.
Who Should Purchase Zoom?
If you’re in the market for the best video conferencing software available, look no further than Zoom. Zoom has unparalleled features in both video calls and webinars. Though the free plan is weak compared with competitors like Skype and Google Meet, the paid plans make up for that drawback.
Though Zoom is a better all-around choice than Skype, it is not ideal for everyone. Read our Zoom Competitors & Alternatives article to learn more about how Zoom stacks up against its competitors.
Skype & Zoom Price Comparison
Skype and Zoom offer similar free plans, each boasting up to 100 participants. Skype has different pricing tiers between $2.99 and $7.99 per month for international and landline calling, while Zoom’s video conferencing features cost between $149.90 and $240 per license per month.
It should be noted that this does not encompass all the costs that could be incurred with Zoom. Webinars cost between $690 per license per year and tens of thousands of dollars per license per year.
Skype Pricing Details
As mentioned, Skype’s video conferencing and chat features are free. Calling costs between $2.99 and $7.99 per month depending on the regions you’d like to call.
| United States Subscription |
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| North America Subscription |
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| India Subscription |
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Zoom Pricing Details
Zoom has a free plan, and paid video conferencing plans cost between $149.90 per license per year and $240 per license per year. Zoom Phone pricing is between $120 per user per year and $240 per user per year; Zoom Rooms costs $499 per year per room; and Zoom webinars cost between $690 per license per year and $64,900 per license per year.
| Free |
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| Pro Plan |
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| Business Plan |
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| Enterprise Plan |
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Skype & Zoom Feature Comparison
Because Skype is more focused on audio calling and chat features, Zoom is the more feature-rich video conferencing option. Participant limits can get much higher with Zoom, and Zoom’s webinars are uniquely powerful.
Top Features: Skype
Skype’s best features are the easy setup, long-distance calling to landlines and various countries, and chat transcripts.
For a closer look at Skype’s features, benefits, and drawbacks, read the full Skype review.
Long-Distance Calls
Skype to Phone is one of the best international calling subscription services. For between $2.99 per month and $7.99 per month, you can call mobile phones and landlines in various countries. With Zoom, the landline calling feature is not an option.
Video Meetings
Skype’s video calls will look like the image below. For free, Skype allows for 4-hour calls and up to 100 participants. Zoom also allows for 100 participants, but free meetings are capped at 40 minutes.
In a meeting, you can:
- Send chats
- Record the meeting
- See the participant list
- Raise your hand
- React with emojis
- Share the meeting link
Top Features: Zoom
Zoom has powerful webinars with attendee limits up to 10,000, equally powerful small group video meetings, and a marketplace of applications that seamlessly integrate with Zoom. Additional features, like breakout rooms and virtual backgrounds, are less important but still helpful for business meetings.
Get a more in-depth overview of the features in our Zoom review.
Webinars
Webinars are a helpful tool if you’re broadcasting to a wide audience of external attendees. It’s a more formal environment than a regular video meeting. Depending on your webinar plan, you can host up to 10,000 attendees.
Skype does not have this feature any longer—webinars used to be in the Skype for Business plan, but that was replaced with Microsoft Teams.
During webinars, you’ll be able to:
- Interact with attendees
- Run audience engagement reports
- Enable live streaming
- Enable cloud recordings
- Utilize CRM and marketing automation integrations
Marketplace
Because Zoom is wildly popular, it integrates seamlessly with hundreds of applications that businesses small and large use every day. This is valuable as it will allow data to transfer across your suite of software tools.
Additional Features
Some of Zoom’s additional features are:
- Waiting rooms and meeting passwords
- Face blurring
- Background noise suppression
- Virtual backgrounds
- Breakout rooms
Skype has many of these features as well.
Bottom Line
Zoom is a more valuable video conferencing platform. It has webinars, a variety of plans for businesses to choose from, and the most power a business could ask for. Pick Zoom for a superior platform, but know that it will likely be the much more expensive choice.
On the other hand, Skype should be considered more of an instant messaging and international calling software. The video features are reliable, but we don’t recommend Skype over Zoom in almost any instance. Choose Skype only if your main goal is to be able to call landlines or phone numbers in other countries.
If you’re interested, visit Skype or Zoom today to get started.