Zoom vs Skype: Which Video Conferencing Tool is More Comfortable?
As companies and educational institutes navigate a post-pandemic world, video conferencing tools have become the go-to solution for remote meetings and classes. Zoom and Skype are two giants in the video conferencing industry and have been go-to platforms for many organizations. However, which one is more comfortable to use?
User Interface
Both Zoom and Skype have various features that make their interfaces unique. Zoom's user interface is intuitive and straightforward. Upon entering a meeting, participants are instantly placed into "speaker view," which provides a full-screen display of the active speaker.
On the other hand, Skype's user interface is slightly more complex. It has several options for video settings, including the ability to blur the background or change it altogether. However, the cluttered interface may not be as user-friendly as Zoom's.
Winner: Zoom
With its simple interface, Zoom is the winner in this category.
Video and Audio Quality
Video and audio quality are essential in any video conferencing tool, and both Zoom and Skype deliver good quality audio and video. However, a few differences set them apart.
At lower bandwidths, Skype outshines Zoom in video quality as it can deliver higher resolutions with slightly lower internet speeds. Skype also offers an audio conferencing feature, which lets users dial in with a phone call if they can't access the app.
Conversely, Zoom delivers better video performance at lower latency with a focus on remote collaboration. Zoom's audio is superior with its "original audio" feature which keeps the audio quality high while suppressing background noise.
Winner: Tie
Both the platforms have their advantages in audio and video quality, and it's a tie.
Pricing Plans
Zoom offers free and premium plans for users, with additional functionality like expanded meeting times and host controls for premium users. Additionally, Zoom allows up to 100 participants in a free meeting. As for Skype, it does not offer such perks for personal and free use.
However, Skype can be a more affordable option for users who need to make business phone calls, with basic international calls costing only 1.7 cents per minute.
Winner: Zoom
Zoom's free version offers exceptional benefits for personal and professional use compared to Skype, which requires a paid subscription to access such features.
Mobile Application
Zoom's mobile application has been designed to provide a smooth user experience with features such as real-time screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and the ability to join a meeting without the app. Additionally, Zoom offers features like closed captioning and a "raise hand" feature that are not available on the desktop version.
Similarly, Skype delivered an excellent mobile application with productive features like dark mode, an easy-to-use interface, and recorded messaging. However, with fewer features compared to Zoom, it falls short in terms of overall functionality.
Winner: Zoom
With its extensive features and seamless user experience, Zoom's mobile application is the undisputed winner.
References
- Zoom. (n.d.). Pricing. https://zoom.us/pricing
- Skype. (n.d.). Skype Rates. https://www.skype.com/en/international-calls/
- Jesson, S. (2021, October 15). The Best Video Conferencing Services of 2021. PCMag. https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-video-conferencing-software