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Video conferencing has become one of the most popular forms of communication. Whether you’re catching up with friends or hosting a corporate meeting, it’s important to find a video software option that suits your needs. The two most popular options are Zoom vs Skype.
You’ve likely heard of both options but aren’t sure which to choose. Why is Zoom so popular? Why is Skype preferred for security reasons? Read on as we answer these questions and many more.
Zoom vs Skype: Free and paid accounts
| Zoom | Skype |
| Free and Premium options | Free and Premium options |
A quick glance at Zoom vs Skype shows that there is free and paid video conferencing available with each platform. However, there’s a significant difference in the number of participants and time limits for each service. Free accounts are limited to 100 participants and 40-minute calls. There are three premium tiers of Zoom benefits, which top out at $30 per month.
Skype video meetings are also available for free, or you can choose one of the paid options. A free consumer account allows up to 100 people on a call for up to four hours at a time. You can add Skype to a Microsoft Office bundle for just $5. You can also purchase Office Business Premium and pay $12.50 per month for additional features.
Our recommendation
Free accounts with Skype have more to offer in terms of time allotment than a Zoom video call.
Skype vs Zoom: Video sharing quality
| Zoom | Skype |
| 1080p | 1080p |
Video quality is a crucial element for choosing your preferred messenger. It’s important for consumer use, but it’s essential when hosting a business meeting. Thankfully, you don’t have much to worry about in terms of streaming quality with Zoom vs Skype.
Both platforms support 1080p for crystal-clear images. There’s one difference that might affect your decision though. Every Skype video call defaults to 1080p, but Zoom calls default to 720p. You’ll still see a high-quality image, of course. But if you want an entire team to be chat in hi-def, every user will have to update their settings by hand. Use a screen recorder on Windows PC to record the meetings and video calls.
Our recommendation
Skype removes the hassle of updating settings with default 1080p display.
Zoom vs Skype: Participant limits and live chat
| Zoom | Skype |
| Free up to 100 | Free up to 100 |
| Paid up to 1000 | Paid up to 250 |
Skype and Zoom are similar services, as you can see already. But we noted above that the monthly cost of premium Zoom benefits is nearly twice that for Skype. This price difference is largely due to the difference in participation limits. While a free account on either platform lets 100 people participate in your meeting, Zoom gives big businesses much more flexibility.
The most expensive Zoom plan allows 1000 unique users to join in on one call. Depending on the host settings, users can chat directly with each other or in a larger room. On the other hand, the most expensive Skype conference call is limited to 250 people. It’s also worth mentioning that any Zoom account holder can purchase the 1000-person allowance for meetings.
Our recommendation
Zoom is much more accommodating for large groups, making it ideal for business meetings and presentations.
Skype vs Zoom: Safety and security
| Zoom | Skype |
| Encryption, passwords, waiting rooms | Encryption of all features |
What is Zoom known for? Unfortunately, their reputation is largely marked by a major security breach that occurred in 2020. Users are able to create a zoom online meeting that can be joined with a clickable link. A lack of security and the rising popularity of Zoom in 2020 resulted in over 500,000 stolen accounts. The company has taken action to strengthen their security across the board. Always make sure to follow the online safety tips to stay safe online.
Clickable links are still available, but meetings now have embedded IDs and passcodes. Zoom also added waiting rooms so hosts can see who’s trying to join before allowing them in. In contrast, there hasn’t been any known breaches of Skype video conference software. They have always used end-to-end 256-bit encryption.
Our recommendation
Zoom and Skype both have strong security measures now, though security-conscious users may continue to choose Skype for this reason alone.
Zoom vs Skype: Device compatibility
| Zoom | Skype |
| Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS |
Compatibility is an important consideration for video conferencing. Thankfully, you are guaranteed to have maximum accessibility with either option. You can access video calling on desktop through Skype messenger, a mobile app, or the browser of your preferred device. The same is true for Zoom, these 2 are great cross-platform productivity apps.
In addition to device compatibility for streaming, there’s another way to connect on either service. When you want to host a Skype or Zoom conference call, you’ll be provided a dial-in number. Pass it along to any participants, and they can call from a mobile phone or landline to hear the audio.
Our recommendation
There is no difference in compatibility for Zoom vs Skype.
Zoom vs Skype: Additional features
| Zoom | Skype |
| Breakout rooms | Skype chat |
| Filters, unique URLs | Background blur |
Sometimes your choice comes down to the extra benefits offered by each software company. In this case, the number and quality of Zoom features far surpasses that of Skype. Zoom allows hosts to divide groups into multiple breakout rooms. You can also create a unique meeting URL or add filters and custom backgrounds to your video.
In contrast, Skype only allows you to blur your background. There are no other features that Zoom doesn’t also offer. Although not specific to video meetings, Skype can also be used exclusively for chats, which might interest users hoping to continue conversations once the meeting has ended. Thus, Skype can be used as a great WhatsApps alternative for chatting. Both services now offer real-time closed captioning.
Our recommendation
Zoom offers a better selection of features geared toward personalization and host control.
The final decision on whether to use Zoom vs Skype largely comes down to your needs. If you’re an individual looking to use it privately to catch up with friends, Skype’s free account should suit you fine. However, businesses that host larger meetings and want to divide attendees into groups will appreciate the features offered by Zoom.