![standalone app for skype standalone app for skype](https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_5bda315fc0493.png)
![standalone app for skype standalone app for skype](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0RCpOCo7bKY7TUTxonWa7Ss2MHs=/43x0:639x397/1200x800/filters:focal(43x0:639x397)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46517078/skypwin8_640.0.jpg)
Many users will now take care of their calling and video calling needs via other apps, so if there’s no need to use Skype and the Skype-specific features it offers aren’t a major draw to you, then we don’t think you’re likely to move. There’s nothing very wrong with Skype, but we struggle to be too enthusiastic about it. In terms of completeness, you’re unlikely to get the same number of features and long history of use offered by Skype but, if you personally don’t need the extras, this won’t be a problem. Many users would use video calling on messaging apps as an alternative, or even the messaging function on social networks like Facebook. There are lots of alternatives, but not all are standalone VoIP apps like Skype. Skype is available for pretty much any platform you can imagine, including xBox and Alexa. If you’re blessed with good internet and, especially if some of the extra features are useful to you personally, you’re likely to have a decent calling experience with Skype. If it’s patchy or not good, using the app will be challenging. The overall usability of Skype depends hugely on the quality of your internet connection. You can also buy Skype credit, to call non-Skype numbers, or even (in some parts of the world) set up a Skype landline, which looks like a local number but connects to your Skype account.Īll of these features are interesting and, to some users, really useful. You can add subtitles to calls, for example, share the screen (helpful for those less-techy relatives), or record your calls. Microsoft has attempted to give Skype an edge by offering a variety of additional services that might be of interest. Contacts are hard to find, calls don’t connect, and small settings problems consistently plague less tech-savvy users. Our main issue is with the ease of setting up and connecting calls, which can be frustrating and fruitless. It does both without issue but, of course, everything depends on the quality of your internet connection. The main function of Skype is internet calling and video.
![standalone app for skype standalone app for skype](https://support.content.office.net/en-us/media/4e553e07-1242-40de-88ec-e192045c8fcd.png)
Skype would be much improved by making them more clear and user-friendly. The options aren’t great - the format is very traditional and we’ve seen better ways of dealing with settings in 2019. Nobody will argue that it’s beautiful, but it’s clear to see what you need to do and relatively easy to find your way around the functions. Visually, Skype is acceptable and functional. In recent years, Microsoft’s classic has made real attempts to slim down and speed up, but unfortunately, it still leaves us a little cold. Like many old-school apps, though, it gained a lot of bloat and a bad reputation as other, faster apps came on the market. This classic calling app will struggle to attract new users.Skype’s an internet classic and a program that revolutionized telephone calls for many. Group chats, calendar, direct tie-ins to OneDrive, SharePoint, Office, and third-party services make Microsoft Teams ideal for companies or families who want an all-in-one communication repository.VoIP with some nice features, but Skype’s got a long road to go Microsoft Teams, however, is a superset of features compared to Skype. Those who never use Teams for business can use Teams for consumers through Microsoft 365 with all the new features. Those who use Teams professionally can switch to a "family" version with a click. The difference will be the ability to switch to a more consumer-friendly set of features within the app. Microsoft Teams for consumers is the same Teams app those in enterprise and schools use today. The report makes sense, as those that do use Skype (including the recently announced 40 million daily active users) may not need all that Microsoft Teams functionality.
![standalone app for skype standalone app for skype](https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/configuration-manager-intune.png)
The good news is Microsoft has told us that the standalone apps for Skype will continue. As it is, the calling and video feature for Microsoft Teams is effectively Skype, making the two apps and services perhaps slightly redundant. Microsoft's announcement of Teams for consumers due later this year has some people wondering about the future of Skype as a standalone app.