Skype Review

Skype offers VoIP and allows users to share their screen with the person they are talking to. Yet, Skype is only useful in a limited number of online conferencing scenarios.

Basically Skype is a good solution for ad-hoc web meetings. It is of no use if a meeting needs to be scheduled in advance, since the tool neither offers a scheduling functionality nor an invitation functionality. Only registered Skype users with their own account can participate in an online meeting, and the number of participants is limited to two. When sharing his screen, the presenter cannot give the other attendee control of mouse or keyboard. There are also no marking tools to emphasize specific areas of the screen on display.

Skype allows for video conferencing and screen sharing with multiple participants when using the Skype premium account - but group screen sharing works only with a Mac.

Bottom line: Skype could be considered for ad-hoc online web meetings. But the restricted access to Skye users only and the set of features currently hinders the tool from being a serious competitor to other web conferencing solutions.

Pricing

free of cost; external calls to phones or mobiles require credit; Skype premium: from USD 8.99 per month for video conferences and screen sharing with more than 2 persons

License options

Single user license

Voice over IP and phone costs

VoIP integrated