On the surface, Zoom and Skype are both video conferencing tools or it
suffices to say, communication software, similar to Google Hangouts,
that allow people to interact with each other in real-time. Both are a
great platform for holding collaborative meetings or making discussions
regarding any project. Both allow you to conduct online meetings with
multiple individuals simultaneously, which is a great alternative to
meeting face to face. Well, most of the users are probably already
familiar with Skype, considering it is equally popular outside the
business circle as well. Zoom is a great tool among students for
synchronous communication for several weeks both on and off the class.
And Skype has been around for quite some time now and has been the go-to
telecommunication tool for people around the world. We pit the two
communication tools against each other to see which one is the better
choice.
What is Zoom?
Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing tool and collaboration software
to create group meetings, group collaboration, and group chat. It
allows you to hold conferences with multiple people at once and record
your meetings for posterity. It is a great comprehensive tool for
businesses and sole proprietors alike, making it easy for them to get
together and collaborate. Zoom is a leader in modern enterprise video
communication and collaboration solutions used across a multitude of
devices including desktops, telephones and room systems. Zoom is a more
feature-rich version of Skype that offers everything audio and video
conferencing, group collaboration, and messaging, all into one
easy-to-use platform. It is the more consumable product in this digital
age which has moved from curiosity to everyday business tool. The basic
version of Zoom is free of cost and cross-platform compatible.
What is Skype?
Skype is a heavy-duty telecommunications tool that dramatically alters
how you exchange information, how you meet new people and collaborate
with them, and how you interact with friends, colleagues, and family.
Although Skype is primarily used to make phone calls as opposed to
traditional phone calls, there is so much more to it. Skype was founded
in 2003 as a software application for making voice calls over the
Internet. The original Skype application just worked for users who had a
PC and Internet connection. It was revolutionary in that making voice
calls to anyone around the world using Skype was free. Since then, Skype
has evolved into a widely recognized name. And the best part, it is
very easy to use – you simply need a computer with Internet access and a
headset with a microphone, and you’re good to go. You have to download
the Skype software first and create a Skype name to start using the
tool.
Difference between Zoom and Skype
Tool
While Zoom and Skype are both video conferencing tools and communication
software that allow people to interact with each other in real-time,
Zoom is probably more feature-rich than Skype. Zoom is a cloud-based
video conferencing tool allows you to hold conferences with multiple
people at once and record your meetings for posterity. Skype, on the
other hand, is one of the most popular and widely used telecommunication
tools providing voice calls and video chat between mobile devices via
the Internet. Skype allows you to make both one-to-one and group calls
or send instant messages.
Pricing
Zoom offers its basic version absolutely free of cost and it is also
cross-platform compatible. The basic plan not only allows you to host up
to 100 participants but also unlimited one-to-one meetings, and group
meetings with up to 40 minutes. Zoom offers a Pro plan for small teams
with all the basic features and 100 participants at $14.99 per month per
host; the Business plan costs $19.99 per month per host which allows
you to host up to 300 participants; and the Enterprise plan with up to
1,000 participants on-board and a minimum of 50 hosts at
$19.99/month/host.
Like Zoom, Skype also offers its basic form as a free service which
allows free Skype to Skype calls online so that you can stay in touch
with friends and family from anywhere in the world. However, if you want
to call a mobile phone or a landline through Skype, you will need a
Skype Credit or a subscription. Skype offers unlimited calls to more
than 60 countries at a minimal price of $15 per month. Skype for
Business, on the other hand, allows you to host up to 250 people with a
starting price of $2 per month per user.
Feature
Zoom is a great video conferencing and collaboration tool that provides
content sharing capability and hosts online meetings, group discussions
and webinars. It also allows you to customize your meetings by making it
more interactive between the host(s) and the participants for a better
and intuitive conferencing experience. Skype, on the other hand, is more
like your go-to telecommunication tool that provides all the basic
features and more to cater to the everyday communication needs of
people. Skype excels in one-to-one meetings.
Summary
If you’re looking for a more personalized and intuitive video
conferencing experience without the extra bells and whistles, then Zoom
is the most likely way to go. Zoom is undoubtedly a great collaboration
software to create group meetings, group collaboration, and group chat.
Zoom also has a comprehensive set of features to make the meetings more
interactive such as the virtual hand-raising. Skype, on the other hand,
is one of the most common conferencing and collaboration tools that make
your everyday communication with friends, family, and colleagues a
breeze. Skype is your go-to telecommunication tool to make free voice
one-to-one and group calls, video chat and send instant messages over
the Web.