Video conferencing is now the only way to connect with your remote workers. Use Skype for your conferencing because it is one of the best platforms for collaboration out there.
Skype is one of the most popular video conferencing tools available, offering a range of features that make it a great choice for both personal and professional use. If you have been following earlier, you will realize I have thrown some light on some of the video conferencing apps. I wrote about Adobe Connect, RingCentral as well as the GoTo Meeting video conferencing platform.
In this article, let us explore Skype and some of the benefits of using it as your video conferencing tool. I will also provide some essential tips for getting the most out of your virtual meetings.
What is Skype?
Skype is a Microsoft product. It is a telecommunications application that provides video and voice chat services over the Internet. It was first released in 2003 and has since become one of the most popular video conferencing tools in the world. This makes it one of the oldest video-conferencing apps out there.
The platform allows users to make voice and video calls, send instant messages, and share files with others who have the app installed on their devices.
It also offers a range of features, such as screen sharing, call recording, and group calling, making it a versatile tool for both personal and professional use. The platform can be used on many different devices, including desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, and is available for free download on the Skype official website.
Features
What makes Skype different from other similar conferencing apps? If that is your question, then read on and let us explore some of the amazing features of this platform together.
- Video and voice calls
Skype allows users to make video and voice call to other users anywhere in the world, free of charge. The quality of these calls is what makes the difference.
- Instant messaging
The platform also provides instant messaging services, allowing users to chat with others who have the app installed on their devices.
- Screen sharing
Skype allows users to share their screens with others during a call, making it easy to collaborate on documents or presentations. If you want some of the best collaborative tools, this is a key feature you should expect.
- Call recording
Users can record their calls and meetings, which can be helpful for training sessions, webinars, or interviews later.
- Group calling
The platform allows up to 100 participants to join a call, making it a great choice for large team meetings or webinars.
- File sharing
This platform also offers a file-sharing feature, allowing users to send and receive files during a call.
- Background blur
This platform offers a background blur feature, which can help to remove distractions and make the call more professional. It is one amazing feature you can not find in other similar apps.
These are some of the features of the Skype video conferencing app that you can use on the go. There are many other features that are also available to you if you want to use this platform.
Pricing
Skype is free to download and use for making personal voice and video calls with other users. However, if you want to make calls to landlines and mobile phones, you will need to purchase Skype Credit or a subscription.
Skype Credit allows you to pay for calls as you go, with rates varying depending on the destination and length of the call. You can buy Skype Credit in various denominations, starting at $5.
The platform also offers subscription plans, which can be more cost effective for users who make frequent calls. Below is a breakdown of the subscription packages.
- Monthly
This plan allows you to make unlimited calls to landlines and mobile phones in a specific country or region. Prices start at $2.99/month.
- Credit
This plan allows you to purchase a certain amount of Skype Credit each month at a discounted rate. Prices start at $5/month.
- Special
The platform also offers special plans for businesses, which include additional features such as integration with Microsoft Office applications and advanced security features. The pricing for these plans varies depending on the number of users and the features included.
These are some of the prices you should consider if you want to use Skype as your online collaborative tool.