Skype is a well-known communication platform that has evolved from its early days as a simple peer-to-peer video chat application into a comprehensive business tool. Owned by Microsoft, Skype for Business was once the go-to solution for companies looking for a reliable communication service, but it has since been merged into Microsoft Teams. However, Skype remains a robust option for individual professionals and small businesses. In this review, we’ll explore Skype offerings, pricing, and the pros and cons of using it in a business context.
Skype products and features review
Skype’s main products focus on video calls, messaging, and international calling. Here’s a breakdown of the key solutions that Skype offers:
| Product | Features | Pricing | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skype-to-Skype calls | Free video/voice calls between Skype users. Available on mobile, desktop, web | Free | – Completely free for internal team communication – Easy to use across devices | – Limited to Skype users only – No dedicated collaboration tools |
| Skype International calling (Skype Credit) | Low-cost international calls to landlines and mobiles in 60+ countries | From £0.01 per minute (country dependent) | – Affordable international calling rates – No long-term commitment required | – Call quality may vary depending on internet connection – Call costs can accumulate with frequent use |
| Skype Number | Local number to receive calls from customers/clients in 25 countries | £5.25/month (UK), £13.05/3 months, £52.20/year | – Provides a local business presence in different countries – Affordable for small businesses | – Limited country availability (only 25) – No advanced PBX features |
| Skype for Web | Make voice/video calls and send messages via a browser | Free | – No need to download the app – Convenient for professionals on the move | – Requires stable internet connection – Limited features compared to desktop/mobile versions |
| Skype Manager | Centralised management of Skype Credit, numbers, and usage for teams | Free to use (with paid Skype services) | – Ideal for managing small to medium-sized teams – Helps control costs by allocating Skype Credit | – No advanced reporting or analytics – Limited to managing Skype services only |
| Calling subscriptions | Monthly plans for frequent international callers | From £2.40/month (country-specific) | – Cost-effective option for regular international calls – No need for Skype Credit, simplified billing | – Limited to calling specific regions – Not suited for occasional or low-volume international calling |
Skype-to-Skype calls
- Features: Free video and voice calls to other Skype users, available across mobile, desktop, and web apps.
- Best for: Internal team communications, freelancers, and small businesses that need to stay connected across different devices without extra costs.
Skype international calling (Skype Credit)
- Features: Users can purchase Skype Credit to make low-cost international calls to landlines and mobiles in over 60 countries.
- Prices: Starting from £4.60 for £5 of credit.
- Best for: Businesses making frequent international calls but not enough to justify a long-term calling plan.
Skype Number
- Features: A local Skype number allows you to receive calls from customers and clients on your Skype app. Available in 25 countries, including the UK, USA, Australia, and Canada.
- Prices:
- £5.25 per month for a UK number
- £13.05 for three months
- £52.20 for a year
- Best for: Businesses that want to provide clients with a local number to call without needing a physical office.
Skype for Web
- Features: A browser-based version of Skype that lets users make voice and video calls or send messages without downloading the application.
- Best for: Professionals on the move or those needing access to Skype from public or shared computers.
Skype Manager
- Features: A centralised management tool for businesses to allocate Skype Credit, assign numbers, and monitor usage for employees.
- Prices: Free to use, with paid Skype services applied individually.
- Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses that use Skype for international communication and want better control over their team’s usage.
Skype pricing
While Skype is mostly free for Skype-to-Skype communications, the platform offers several paid services for businesses that need more functionality:
- Skype-to-Skype calls: Free
- International calls: From £0.01 per minute (depending on the country)
- Skype Number:
- £5.25 per month for a UK number
- £13.05 for three months
- £52.20 for a year
- Skype Credit: Purchase in increments, starting from £4.60 for £5 of credit
- Calling subscriptions: Available for frequent callers, with plans starting at £2.40 per month for calling landlines and mobiles in a single country.
Pros and cons
Pros of Skype for business
- Cost-effective communication: Skype remains one of the most affordable communication solutions, especially for small businesses or freelancers that need to keep in touch with international clients.
- Flexibility across devices: Skype works on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, providing flexibility for remote workers and those who travel frequently.
- User-friendly interface: Skype’s interface is straightforward, making it easy for non-technical staff to use without a steep learning curve.
- Free internal communication: For businesses that only need to communicate internally or with other Skype users, Skype-to-Skype calls remain completely free.
- Integration with Microsoft products: For businesses already using Microsoft products, Skype integrates smoothly with tools like Outlook and OneDrive, streamlining communications.
Cons of Skype for business
- Limited collaboration features: While Skype works well for video and audio calls, it lacks the comprehensive collaboration features that other platforms, like Microsoft Teams or Zoom, provide. Businesses requiring advanced features like file-sharing, project management, or large group calls might find Skype insufficient.
- Call quality varies: Call quality on Skype can be inconsistent, especially in areas with poor internet connectivity. While the platform has improved over the years, businesses may still experience dropped calls or lag.
- Skype for Business phase-out: Microsoft has officially retired Skype for Business, encouraging users to switch to Microsoft Teams. Although Skype is still available, businesses looking for long-term solutions may want to consider Teams for future-proofing their communication strategy.
- Limited customer support: Skype’s customer support is mostly self-service, with live help often only available to premium users. This can be a disadvantage for businesses needing immediate technical assistance.
Verdict – Skype business review
Skype remains a solid, budget-friendly option for small businesses and individual professionals, particularly those with international clients.
Its free Skype-to-Skype calls, low-cost international options, and flexible Skype Number make it attractive for a business looking for affordable communication tools.
However, for larger companies or those needing more advanced features, it may not offer the same level of collaboration and support as more comprehensive platforms like Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
Ultimately, Skype is best suited for businesses with modest communication needs, while those requiring greater functionality may need to explore more feature-rich alternatives.
Alternatives
- Skype vs 3CX
- Skype vs Google Voice
- Skype vs Microsoft Teams
- Skype vs RingCentral
- Skype vs Sipgate
- Skype vs Voipfone
- Skype vs Zoom
FAQ
Yes, Skype-to-Skype audio and video calls are completely free, regardless of the location of the participants. This applies across all devices—mobile, desktop, and web. There are no charges for communicating with other Skype users.
Skype Credit starts from £4.60 for £5 of credit. This credit can be used to make calls to landlines and mobiles in over 60 countries, with rates starting as low as £0.01 per minute, depending on the destination.
A Skype Number costs £5.25 per month for a UK number, or you can pay £13.05 for three months or £52.20 for a year. This number allows businesses to receive calls from landlines and mobiles in a chosen region.
Yes, Skype offers monthly calling subscriptions starting at £2.40, which provide unlimited or discounted calls to landlines and mobiles in a specific country or region. These plans are ideal for businesses making frequent international calls.
Yes, Skype for Web is free. You can use it to make voice and video calls, send messages, and access your contacts via a web browser without needing to install the Skype application on your device.
Skype charges for international calls using Skype Credit, with rates varying by country. Prices start from £0.01 per minute, and users only pay for the minutes they use. Alternatively, subscriptions offer unlimited calls to specific countries at a fixed monthly cost.
No, Skype’s pricing is transparent. Free features include Skype-to-Skype calls, while paid services like international calls and Skype Numbers are clearly outlined. There are no hidden fees, but it’s important to track your usage to avoid overspending on credit.
Yes, Skype subscriptions can be cancelled at any time. The cancellation will stop future payments, but you’ll continue to use the subscription benefits until the end of the current billing cycle. There are no early termination fees.
Skype does not typically offer free trials for its paid services like Skype Numbers or international calling subscriptions. However, new users can explore the platform with free Skype-to-Skype calls before committing to paid features.
Billing for Skype services, including Skype Credit and subscriptions, can be managed through the Skype app or web portal. Users can view past transactions, update payment methods, and set up auto-recharge for Skype Credit to avoid running out of balance mid-call.