Before Zoom became so popular, Skype was one of the most used video-conferencing apps out there. Out of nowhere, Zoom became the video-conferencing king, despite Skype’s popularity.
Does that mean that Skype is not a good option? Not at all. The one you choose will depend on your likes and dislikes, but which one has more to offer?
What Zoom Has to Offer
When it comes to video quality, Zoom offers a 1080p resolution. But, you’ll need to enable it yourself since it’s not on by default. Other than that, the calls will be in 720p. With Zoom, you’ll need a 3Mbps connection for HD calls, which is higher than what Skype requires.
The highest number of users that can connect is 1,000, but only with a paid account. For free accounts, the maximum number of allowed users is 100 and then there’s the 40-minute time limit. But, if your call is only with one other person you don’t have to worry about the time.
If you don’t feel like installing the app, there is no need to since you can join a Zoom meeting by using your browser. All you need to do is go to zoom.us/join and type in the meeting ID, followed by the password.
Other useful features Zoom include:
- Cloud Storage
- Record a Meeting
- Availability on Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Browser, and Linux
- Whiteboard
- Virtual background
- Allow multiple hosts
- Chat
- Simultaneous screen-sharing
- Co-annotation
- Create transcripts
- Join a Zoom meeting by calling
- File Sharing, and more
What Skype Has to Offer
Unlike Zoom, Skype doesn’t make you enable the 1080p resolution for your calls. Also, Skype is not as demanding as Zoom when it comes to connection. While Zoom requires that you have a 3Mbps, Skype only needs a 1.2Mbps.
If your meetings don’t usually have more than 50 people, then you’re good with a free Skype account. Just like Zoom, Skype also lets you start a call through your browser without having to sign in if you don’t want to.
To start a call via your browser on Skype, you’ll need to visit their Meet Now page. Click on the create a free meeting button and share the link you’re given. Just like Zoom, Skype offers its users features such as:
- Cloud storage
- Screen sharing
- Record meeting (Skype saves them for 30 days)
- Join a meeting by calling
- Whiteboard
- File Sharing
- Compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, macOS
- Blur my background
- React emoji
Who Wins, Skype, or Zoom?
Which app you use is going to depend on how many users are usually in your meetings. Zoom is excellent if you’re going to use it for company meetings where there are generally at least 50-100 people in each one.
Sure, Zoom is also suitable for one-on-one calls, but you may prefer Skype for those since it’s easier to use, and it doesn’t have the security issues Zoom has.
Unless you’re going to set up a call for one huge group, you may want to stick with Skype if what worries you the most is security. But, if the features Zoom has to offer just makes things a lot easier, you can go with Zoom.
Zoom is making changes to improve its security, and there are features you can enable to make your Zooming safer.
Conclusion
Both apps get the job done and give you high-quality video conferencing calls. If you want to use a service that has you covered when it comes to security, you might lean towards Skype until Zoom fixes its security issues. Which one do you think you’re going to go with?
