Nowadays, online communication has become the norm, completely replacing analog methods of contact between people. One of the most popular modalities, both for individuals and companies, Are the .
In this category, the applications that dispute the reign are and two communication giants that have their own multiplatform applications through which you can communicate with your work team or your loved ones.
Although they have many characteristics in common, these applications are very different in terms of their quality and the benefits they offerso Which one is the best? Or which one suits you best? Those questions will be answered throughout this article.
Advantages and benefits of Zoom
Zoom is one of the world’s most popular and widely used video conferencing software applications, through which you will be able to interact virtually with your family and co-workers anytime. Being one of the most used apps of this type, Zoom has a series of benefits and functions that have given it its place as a public favorite..
Review the most notable benefits of Zoom:
- It’s completely freewith the possibility of acquiring payment plans that increase its functions.
- It works exclusively through the internet to communicate with other users.
- Allow your users interact through group chat sessionsindividual, voice calls and messaging.
- his lectures allow the participation of up to 500 peoplealong with 1,000 spectators.
- It has a large number of tools, among which stands out the screen sharing, an extremely useful resource for events such as seminars, exhibitions and talks.
- It also has functions such as conference scheduling, meeting recording and virtual whiteboard.
Advantages and Benefits of Skype
It is a communication software that bases its functions on video calls, and allows both individuals and companies to conduct video conferences effectively, whether private or group, and is compatible with computers, mobile phones or tablets. Skype has a number of tools and features that give it a huge advantage over most applications of this type, since brings greater security, comfort and versatility to meetings.
Among these benefits are the following:
- Its installation is easy and fastand is included in the operating system of most modern Windows computers.
- Allows you to perform free phone calls to other Skype usersregardless of your geographic location.
- Does not require reconfiguration of any kindsince it works with all types of firewalls, NATs and routers.
- Communication via Skype it is encrypted and has high-quality audio and video.
- It is compatible with most operating systemssuch as Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Pocket Out, and other systems.
- Its capacity of participants by videoconference is 100 in its free version and up to 250 on Skype Business.
Zoom vs Skype, which is better?
Being the two communication software that share the podium of the best video call applications, it is natural to make a comparison of their functions and features. Each of these applications, despite having similar functions, offers characteristics that distinguish them from each other.
Next, we will analyze these distinctions:
User capacity
The number of participants that a video conferencing application supports is one of the most relevant features for companies that offer seminars and video conferences to mass audiences. In this aspect, the advantage is Zoom. The paid version of Zoom allows a maximum of 500 participantswith space for up to 1,000 viewers, while Skype, in its free version, offers a maximum of 100 participants, which increases to 250 in the Business version.
video call time
Another of the most relevant characteristics is the duration of the video calls, since on many occasions, especially when it comes to companies, the issues dealt with in conferences can take a long time. Added to this, virtual seminars usually require a certain duration.
In the section on call time, however, Skype has the advantage by a wide margin, since where Zoom offers a maximum duration of 40 minutes per user in video conferences, Skype allows a maximum of 4 hours. As additional information, if a Zoom user disconnects and reconnects to a video conference, they will be treated as a new user and the 40 minute counter will be reset.
audio and video quality
When it comes to audio and video output, both software are evenly matched, as they offer similar features, despite the fact that Zoom puts some obstacles in the way of using it, and it is because of this that Skype has the advantage, albeit a very slight one.
Regarding the video, both Skype and Zoom have a maximum resolution of 1080p, although in Zoom, this setting is not activated by default and you will have to activate it manually, which is not necessary in Skype. When it comes to audio, both platforms feature HD Audioof very similar quality to each other and enabled by default in both software.
connection quality
Audio and video is a demanding combination, so your data connection needs to keep up with the needs of Skype and Zoom. In general, both platforms require a high-quality connection, although Zoom usually demands a little more. In the case of Skype, its developers recommend a stable connection of at least 1.5 Mbps for HD calls, while Zoom’s minimum requirement for the same feature is 3 Mbps on the highest setting.
Difference between paid and free version
Each of these software has free and paid versions, which They offer different functions that acquire utility depending on the user’s requirements.
The main differences of the free version of Zoom, with respect to the paid version, whose monthly price is 14.99 euros, are the following:
- Maximum number of users: Zoom supports up to 100 users in its free version, while the paid version extends it up to 1,000 users.
- Conference duration: Where the video conferences of the free version of Zoom have a maximum duration of 40 minutes, the paid version allows a duration of 24 hours of video conferences:
- Business tools: There are no identifiers for video conference participants in the free version, which can be enabled when purchasing the paid service.
- Video conference recording: Added to the short duration of the free Zoom video conferences, they cannot be recorded. By enabling the Premium features of Zoom, added to the longer duration, you will have the possibility to record the conferences and save them in the cloud.
For its part, Skype has a Business plan, accessible for a monthly fee of only 2 euros, and the main distinctions between the free version and the Business Plan are the following:
- Conference Security: Free Skype offers very basic security to the video calls it offers, while by paying for the Business plan, you will have access to enterprise-grade encryption and security in your video conferences.
- Maximum number of participants: the maximum number of participants admitted in free Skype is 100 users, while by purchasing Skype for Business, your conferences can hold a maximum of 250 members.
- Accounts administration: Using Skype for Business features, the administrator will be able to manage user accounts and keep track of their usage, which is not possible in the free version.
- Video conference duration: its basic version offers a maximum of 4 hours per conference, while Skype Business offers the possibility of holding conferences of 10 hours a day, or a maximum of 100 hours per month according to Skype’s reasonable use policies.
Alternatives to Zoom and Skype for video conferencing
Due to the great popularity of video conferencing today, There are no shortage of tools that we can use to hold these virtual meetings instead of Skype or Zoom if the need arises, and many of these alternatives have very interesting features that can be adapted to the needs of their users.
Here is a list of some of the best video conferencing apps that you can use to replace Zoom or Skype:
Google Duos
This is Google’s bet in the branch of applications for videoconferences, through which you will be able to make video calls, send video messages, instant messages and many more actions. The videoconferences of support up to 32 usersenough for small businesses or family gatherings, and since it is a multiplatform application, you will be able to talk with your coworkers or family, regardless of whether it is from a PC, a mobile or tablet, a Mac, iPad or iPhone.
slack
It is an instant messaging application designed for companies that allows users to connect and share all the necessary information. It has a simple interface that is easy to understand, and a stable platform that will keep your team in constant communication.
In the same way as instant messaging applications for individuals, It has a function to make video calls. As it is an app designed for the coordination of small work teams, only allows individual calls. It is a very interesting application to keep your team members within reach.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teamsor just Teams, is a unified collaboration platform developed by Microsoft through which interaction between collaborators and work teams is facilitated. Its main characteristic is to offer all the tools of a work center, based on chats.
It has all the functions that can be expected from a video call service: work groups, video chat and messaging, and other communication resources. Nowadays, more than 500 thousand organizations make use of the toolsservices and resources of Teams, through which teamwork is promoted.
discord
It is a group chat app with features similar to Skype, and even professional communication platforms like Slack. Although it is aimed especially at gamers, it is possible to create and find all kinds of servers, and use them for various purposes. It is possible to make personal video calls to the people we have added as friends in , as well as people who are on a common serverwith a process as simple as searching for the contact and selecting the video icon.
Facetime
It is the service of specialized video calls for Apple devices which has a wide variety of communication tools, and supports conferences that can host…
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