What is Skype? You’ve likely heard the dulcet tones of this excellent communication app before, ringing out in the night, as your friend tries to tell you all about their night out. Or, the most likely scenario is you need it for work, and aren’t quite what Skype is all about. Well, the good news is we can tell you what it is, and how to use it.
If you decide that this is the service for you, check out our Skype download. Or, to take a look at your other options, head over to our guides that answer the questions of what is Microsoft Teams, what is Discord, WhatsApp download, and what is Slack.
Get ready to turn those cameras and headsets on, as we kick off with the opening question of ‘what is Skype?’
What is Skype?
In a nutshell, Skype is a VoIP (voice over IP) communication program and app that lets you make and receive free calls over the internet. You can also send instant messages, shares files with other users, and join free video and voice calls. Whether it is a one-to-one call, group, or conference call, you can just about reach anyone as long as they also have a Skype account. Skype is available on mobile devices, tablets, and computers through a downloadable application on your web browser or the Google Play and App Store.
If you need to reach someone who doesn’t have Skype, it’ll cost you a small premium to make non-Skype calls and text, similar to your mobile network provider. Skype Communications first launched Skype in 2003, back in the early days of VoIP services. Microsoft has since acquired Skype, and now Skype Technologies (a Microsoft division) operates it. Since its initial rise to popularity, Skype has seen plenty of competition, with Zoom, Google Meet, and WhatsApp taking the lead in certain areas. However, Skype is still a popular service that many businesses, individuals, and creatives use on a daily basis.
What are Skype’s main features?
You can utilize plenty of awesome Skype features, and more continue to be added as new updates arrive. So, here are some of the main features you can expect to use.
- End-to-end encryption – rest assured that all communications on Skype are encrypted, meaning you don’t need to worry about unwanted visitors joining your call or peeking at your messages
- Screen sharing – share your desktop with other people in video calls to help with productivity, troubleshooting, and training
- Skype Translate – use the in-app, real-time translator to have conversations with people in other languages
- Live subtitles – see a real-time, auto-generated transcript to keep track of conversations
What are Skype’s services?
Skype provides a variety of services for all of your personal, business, and creative needs. Here are some of the most notable.
- Meet Now – allows you to create a meeting and share the link with the people you want to talk to
- Skype Manager – allows you to allocate the credits you use for non-Skype calls and control what features are available to your business or household
- Skype with Alexa – allows you to use Skype with the Amazon Echo digital assistant, Alexa
- Skype with Outlook – allows you to use Skype from your Outlook email inbox
In addition to all this, Skype’s Premium plan offers a bunch of useful features and enhancements, including cloud-based business solutions.
How much does Skype cost?
Wondering what the Skype prices? Well, the good news is that Skype is a completely free application, and you can download it to contact your Skype friends without spending a single dollar. However, as mentioned above, there is a charge if you want to call or send messages to phone numbers and non-Skype users.
If you do need to do this, there is the option for you to sign up for a Skype subscription, or to purchase Skype Credit.
Rates vary depending on how you intend to use Skype, but the monthly subscriptions cost from $3.59 USD / £2.40 GBP to $9.59 USD / £6.60 GBP a month. Check out the Skype payment page to work out which plan works best for you. You can cancel your Skype subscription at any time.
And there you have it, the answer to your question of ‘what is Skype?’ For more tech tips and troubleshooting, check out our guides on how to scan with iPhone, how to capture an Android screenshot, and how to perform an Android transfer to iPhone.