Skype supports up to 50 people per video or audio call. Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing tool. Created with large companies in mind, it enables users to host. Skype is one of the most popular and easiest-to-use communication tools, which connects people around the world. The program supports video conferencing, voice calls, and instant messaging. Additionally, you can use the software to send large-sized files up to 300 MB.
Free calls and chat tool with file transfers, screen sharing, video and audio calls, conferences, contacts management, and more features
Skype is one of the best voice over IP services and instant messaging clients that comes bundled with a powerful set of calling, video, messaging and sharing capabilities. The program can be run on various platforms, such as Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, BlackBerry 10, iOS, Symbian and Windows Phone, as well as Windows 8.1 tablets and touch PCs.
Free calls and instant messaging in one tool
You may sign in using your Skype account or skip this step by entering your Microsoft or Facebook authentication parameters.
As soon as you are able to sign in, the program reveals a configuration wizard designed to help you check your sound and video by testing your speakers, microphone and webcam, and set a profile picture by taking an image or uploading a custom photo from your computer.
Sleek interface, bots, contacts list, and more
Taking into consideration that the utility aims to integrate calling, video, messaging and sharing options into a single layout, it manages to successfully deliver a clean and smart design so you won’t get lost navigating or tweaking its features.
Skype lists all your contacts in the main window, provides quick access to recent conversations, and lets you search for contacts by name, Skype name or email, or you can save a phone number.
What’s more, you can check out updates from your contacts, call mobiles and landlines with the aid of the built-in dial pad, create a group for sending instant messaging and files, and change your status (Online, Away, Do Not Disturb, Invisible or Offline).
Calling and video features
Skype gives you the possibility to call anyone else on Skype, call mobiles and landlines worldwide, set a group of people together on one call or video call, get your Skype calls forwarded to any phone, as well as enable a smart video feature for getting closer with a face to face catch up.
The tool gives you the freedom to send a message during video sessions, make use of the instant messaging service for chatting with your friends, as well as create voice messages.
The instant messaging panel is kept very simple, and you may insert various emoticons, drag and drop files (be they documents, images, photos or videos) directly into the conversation window, search for words using Bing, remove or copy messages to the clipboard, edit sent messages directly in the conversation panel, and sort messages by Skype or SMS.
Contact management and other handy features
You can view the profile of a user, rename it, add it to Favorites or a custom list, mark conversation as unread, block a person, view old messages, remove a user from Contacts, and hide the selected conversation.
What’s more, the tool lets you send contact details on Skype by simply dragging and dropping the contact into the chat, share your computer screen, as well as send instant messages, enable video calls with your Facebook friends, and view news feed directly from Skype.
Skype lets you back up your contacts to VCF file format, sort contacts by online or name, reveal Outlook contacts, hide those who are offline, and enable IM notifications.
Rich set of configuration settings
Skype comes with a comprehensive configuration panel that enables you to start a call when you double-click on a contact, appear as Away when you are inactive for a user-defined time, run the tool at Windows startup, alter audio and video settings, play a preset or custom sound upon various events, and enable Skype Wi-Fi.
When it comes to privacy features, you may allow calls and IMs only from people in your Contact list, keep history, automatically receive video and share screen with anyone, and manage blocked contacts.
Other settings allow you to display notifications in the system tray upon different events (e.g. contact comes online or goes offline) and tweak several advanced features for configuring Internet connections and altering hotkeys.
Top product on the market
All in all, Skype proves to be a reliable application, moves fast, delivers a user-friendly environment, integrates a rich-featured suite of configuration settings, and is suitable for all types of users.
Filed under
Download Hubs
Skype is part of these download collections: Instant Messenger, VoIP Clients
Skype was reviewed by Ana Marculescu- Internet connection – broadband is best (GPRS is not supported for voice calls)
- Speakers and microphone - built-in or separate.
- For voice calls we recommend a broadband connection with 100 kbps down / 100 kbps up.
- Webcam
- 1 GHz processor (Core 2 Duo 1.8 GHz processor recommended)
- There's no reaction for what I am feeling: Yes, there is. You can now customize the reaction picker in Skype, so the perfect reaction is always on hand. Learn more about the reaction picker.
- Bug fixes and stability improvements. We've changed around some keyboard shortcuts to fix a bug between Skype and Terminal, plus made a few other general improvements.
Skype 8.67.0.87 / 8.67.76.83 Preview / 7.41.0.101 Classic
Softpedia Editor's Pickadd to watchlistsend us an update- portable version
- A portable version of this application is available: sPortable (Portable Skype)
- runs on:
- Windows 10 32/64 bit
Windows 8 32/64 bit
Windows 7 32/64 bit
Windows Vista 32/64 bit - file size:
- 71.1 MB
- filename:
- Skype-8.67.0.87.exe
- main category:
- Office tools
- developer:
- visit homepage
top alternatives FREE
top alternatives PAID
Skype Free Software
Downloading and installing Skype is easy, and it’s free! You can download and install your Skype connection in a matter of minutes, and then the fun begins.
Download Free Skype Software Program
The Web pages on www.skype.com are constantly being enhanced. So, they may change from time to time. Don’t be surprised if the Web pages you’re looking at don’t exactly match the screen shots provided here.
Downloading Skype
Skype Software Download
Ready to get started? First, pick up the latest version of Skype:
With your Internet browser open, enter www.skype.com in the address line to open the Home page of the Skype Web site.
Click the Download button on the Skype home page to open the Download page.
Skype will begin the download to your computer. It will automatically determine the operating system and the Web browser that you are using. This screen will tell you what to do after the program downloads.
If the download doesn’t start automatically, you will be able to start it manually by clicking on Start Download Again.
After you click to download the program, you may be prompted to save or open the program SkypeSetup.exe. Always choose to save the file to your hard drive. Do not open or run the program during the download process.
Skype sometimes posts two types of downloads, the general public version and the next new beta version. If you are just starting out, it’s best to download the general public version because it’s more stable. In time, the beta version will become the public version, and you can upgrade.
Select Save to Disk.
Choose an easy-to-remember location, such as the Windows Desktop, and click OK. Remember this location so that you can double-click the file after it is saved.
Installing Skype
Skype Software Download
When your download is complete and the program is saved to disk, follow these steps to install the program:
Skype For Personal Use Download
Double-click the SkypeSetup program that you just saved or just click Run if you have that option. If a User Account Control windows pops up asking you for permission, just click Continue.
When the installer program launches, it asks you to choose a language; select it from a drop-down list.
The installer program then asks you to read and accept the End User License Agreement. You need to accept this to continue the installation. The program may also ask if you want to install certain other programs or browser add-ons. You are under no obligation to install these. If you don’t want the extras, just uncheck the box and click on Next.
Click the Options button.
On this page you have the choice to launch Skype as soon as the installation is complete. This box is already checked. If you don’t want Skype to start up right away, deselect the box by clicking it. You also have the option to update the Skype Extras Manager and to install a Skype Plugin for the web browser (s) that you have installed on the computer.
Click I agree — Install.
Skype asks you to set up an account by entering a Name, a Skype Name, and Password. The next screen asks for your e-mail address, country, and city. If the Skype name you specified is already in use, you will get a chance to choose another name. Once you complete this, Skype is installed and automatically launches itself (unless you deselected the Launch Skype check box on the Options screen).