Skype phone systems review – is it the right choice for your business?

When it comes to communication solutions, businesses have long trusted Skype for its reliable, easy-to-use platform. Originally developed for personal video and voice calls, Skype has expanded into the professional realm, providing a VoIP solution tailored to smaller businesses that may not require the robust features of a more complex unified communications platform. In this review, we’ll explore whether Skype is the right choice for your business by examining its key features, costs, and practical considerations.

Key features of Skype for business use

While Skype’s enterprise-focused version, Skype for Business, has been phased out in favour of Microsoft Teams, Skype itself remains a viable option for companies that don’t need a full-scale unified communications platform. Here are some of its primary features:

1. VoIP calling and video conferencing

Skype enables free VoIP calling between Skype users globally, which is ideal for small businesses with remote workers or international teams. Additionally, it offers high-definition video conferencing, though it’s worth noting that larger virtual meetings (with more than 20-30 participants) can benefit from the Teams platform if scalability is a concern.

2. International calling

Skype provides attractive rates for international calls to landlines and mobiles, often lower than traditional phone service providers. Businesses that work with overseas clients or suppliers may appreciate the affordable pay-as-you-go options or subscription plans that cover specific regions or countries.

3. Skype number

For businesses that require a public-facing phone number, Skype offers Skype Numbers, which allow you to select a local number from a chosen country, making it easier for clients to reach you. This can be especially useful for businesses with customers abroad who want to avoid international call charges.

4. Call forwarding and voicemail

Skype includes basic business functionality such as call forwarding, allowing incoming calls to be redirected to a mobile or landline, and voicemail, which can be used for missed calls. These features help small businesses remain accessible and maintain a professional image.

5. Screen sharing and instant messaging

For collaborative work, Skype’s screen sharing and instant messaging functions facilitate team interactions. While these are basic compared to advanced collaboration tools, they can suit businesses that require occasional remote collaboration.

6. Integration with Microsoft services

Skype’s strongest advantage lies in its integration with the Microsoft Office suite and OneDrive, allowing businesses already using Microsoft products to streamline their workflow. However, larger organisations needing comprehensive Microsoft integration may find Microsoft Teams more advantageous, as it offers deeper collaboration features.

Skype costs and pricing structure review

Skype’s pricing is appealing, particularly for small businesses and startups with limited budgets. It offers a variety of options to suit different needs:

• Skype-to-Skype calls: Free of charge, allowing unlimited voice and video calling between users on the Skype platform.
• Skype Numbers: Costs range from approximately £4.50 to £10 per month, depending on the region. Skype Numbers provide businesses with a professional contact number, ideal for creating a local presence in international markets.
• International calls: Businesses can choose between pay-as-you-go credit or a subscription. Subscription plans are available based on the destination countries, with some options starting at around £5 per month. This flexibility is useful for companies with clients or suppliers in specific regions.
• Add-on features: Some additional features, such as voicemail transcription, may incur nominal costs, although these are minimal compared to full-scale unified communications platforms.

Pros – What we like

• Affordability: Skype remains one of the most budget-friendly options, especially with its free Skype-to-Skype calls and low international rates. This is ideal for smaller teams or businesses needing a cost-effective communication solution.
• User-friendly: Skype is simple to set up and intuitive to use, with minimal training required. This makes it a quick and easy option for businesses that want to start using it immediately without extensive onboarding.
• Integration potential: Skype works well with Microsoft 365 tools, making it convenient for companies already embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem. This allows teams to share files via OneDrive and communicate within the familiar Microsoft environment.
• Flexibility: Skype’s pay-as-you-go and subscription options provide flexibility to businesses with variable usage patterns. The addition of Skype Numbers is especially beneficial for creating a global presence on a small budget.

Cons – Potential drawbacks

• Limited scalability: Skype may not support large meetings or complex communication needs. For businesses requiring large video conferences or extensive collaboration tools, Microsoft Teams or another more comprehensive VoIP solution may be a better fit.
• Basic features: While Skype covers essential business needs, it lacks advanced features such as call recording, detailed reporting, or CRM integration. Businesses with these needs may need to look at other platforms offering these features.
• Internet dependency: Like all VoIP services, Skype’s performance relies on a stable internet connection. This can be problematic for businesses in areas with unreliable internet service or high network congestion.
• Potential redundancy with Teams: Microsoft has largely replaced Skype for Business with Microsoft Teams, which includes enhanced communication and collaboration features. While Skype is still supported, it may lack future updates or developments, as Microsoft continues to prioritise Teams.

Skype reviews and ratings

Skype user ratings across various review platforms are as follows:

• Trustpilot: Skype holds a rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars, based on over 1,000 reviews. Users frequently express dissatisfaction with customer support and account management issues.
• Google Reviews: The Skype app has a rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, compiled from approximately 10,000 reviews. Users commend its video and voice call quality but note occasional connectivity problems.
• Reviews.io: Skype is not extensively reviewed on Reviews.io, resulting in insufficient data to provide an accurate rating.
• PCMag: In a detailed review, PCMag awarded Skype 3.5 out of 5 stars, highlighting its comprehensive features but mentioning that it faces stiff competition from other platforms.
• TechRadar: TechRadar’s review rated Skype 4 out of 5 stars, praising its user-friendly interface and cross-platform availability, while pointing out occasional performance issues.

Overall, Skype receives mixed reviews. While many users appreciate its extensive features and global reach, others have raised concerns about customer service and technical reliability.

Review – Is Skype the right choice for your business?

Skype offers a practical and economical solution for small businesses with basic communication needs. Its ease of use, integration with Microsoft 365, and competitive pricing structure make it a viable option for teams needing straightforward voice and video calling without a complex setup.

However, businesses that require advanced features, large group meetings, or deep integration with CRM systems might find Skype too limiting. In these cases, considering an alternative VoIP or unified communications solution—like Microsoft Teams, RingCentral, or Zoom—would be more beneficial.

Alternatives to consider

For businesses needing a more feature-rich platform, here are a few alternatives:

• Microsoft Teams: Ideal for businesses already using Office 365, Teams offers advanced collaboration features, larger meeting capacity, and seamless integration across the Microsoft suite.
• RingCentral: A comprehensive VoIP and UCaaS provider that includes advanced call management, CRM integration, and analytics for businesses seeking a more robust solution.
• Zoom: Known for its reliable video conferencing capabilities, Zoom is suitable for businesses with remote teams or regular virtual meetings, offering options for larger groups and webinar functionality.

Final verdict – Skype review

Skype remains a solid choice for small businesses or startups that need a reliable, cost-effective communication tool without the complexity of an enterprise-level business phone system.

However, businesses anticipating growth or requiring more than the essentials may want to consider options that can grow with them.

With its free Skype-to-Skype calls and low international rates, Skype can serve as a valuable tool for small teams, particularly those that are already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Ultimately, if simplicity and budget-friendliness are your primary concerns, Skype could be a great fit. But if you envision needing more robust capabilities, exploring alternatives may be a wise choice for long-term value.

Comparisons

• Skype vs 3CX
• Skype vs Google Voice
• Skype vs Microsoft Teams
• Skype vs RingCentral
• Skype vs Sipgate
• Skype vs Voipfone
• Skype vs Vonage
• Skype vs Zoom

FAQ – Skype review