Skype for Business Vs Microsoft Teams

Skype for Business Vs Microsoft Teams
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The last few years have seen an exponential rise in remote work and team collaboration software. In 2022, you can work from anywhere in the world and stay in touch with colleagues using tools such as Skype for Business and Microsoft Teams.

These tools have made remote work a breeze, boosting productivity and efficiency.

Work communication has never been easier, as all organizational tasks are quickly completed, client-based needs are met, and even casual chats between team members boost morale.

Collaboration software offers excellent benefits such as employee engagement and satisfaction, greater flexibility, and adaptability.

But to perform better and jump ahead of your competitors, you must choose the best software that meets all of your business’s specific needs.

If you cannot choose between Skype vs Teams, two of the most popular and robust work communication tools available today, we are here to help.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about them to zero in on the one best suited for your business.

Let’s dive in!

Skype for Business

Skype for Business

Launched in April 2015, Skype for Business is a popular business communication app used worldwide for its top-notch voice calling and video conferencing functionalities.

It provides easy ways to connect with business colleagues to ensure maximum productivity and efficiency.

Skype for Business was once the leading communication app for sending audio, video, and text messages across all devices and different platforms.

However, on July 31, 2021, support for Skype for Business Online came to an end hence why most uninstalled the software. Nonetheless, Skype for Business Server 2019 will get extended support till October 14, 2025.

Pros

  • Great user interface
  • Can be accessed from all devices
  • Users can chat and make audio and video calls
  • Users can share documents and links
  • Users can manage employee accounts
  • Integrates with MS Office apps
  • People can join meetings even without an account
  • Enterprise-grade security and compliance measures
  • Affordable
  • Option for free plan

Cons

  • Meeting attendees must install a web plugin or the Skype for Business app
  • Requires Microsoft Outlook to be the default mail client for saving conversations
  • File transfer unavailable for offline users
  • No search tool
  • No archive function
  • No tabs for specific channels
  • No keyboard shortcuts for navigation
  • Cannot update customized data governance and compliance policies

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams

Introduced in 2017, Microsoft Teams is a modern collaboration software currently used by more than 500,000 companies around the world.

It is a secure and reliable platform for highly efficient and productive conversations, file sharing, and other tasks.

Since Microsoft shut down Skype for Business Online in 2021, businesses have migrated to Microsoft Teams, further boosting its popularity.

Microsoft Teams offers nearly all of the features and functionalities that Skype for Business does, making it an excellent substitute.

Pros

  • Intuitive user interface
  • Chat, voice, and video calling capabilities
  • Users can create, share, and edit documents within the app
  • Old conversations are readily available
  • File transfer available for offline users
  • Features such as notifications, bookmarks, mentions, comments, GIFs, stickers, and emojis
  • Users can add rich media content in chats
  • Integrates with MS Office 365 apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive, Yammer, and SharePoint
  • Third-party integrations
  • Quick access to the most used files and apps
  • Powerful search tool
  • Add tabs for specific channels
  • Keyboard shortcuts for easy navigation
  • Easy access across all devices
  • High security and compliance
  • Users can update customized data governance and compliance policies
  • Option for free plan

Cons

  • It needs a strong Internet connection
  • Costly

Audio and Video Calls: Skype Vs Teams

Audio and Video Calls: Skype Vs Teams

Skype For Business

Skype for Business allows users to schedule meetings via Microsoft Outlook. You can also host an ad-hoc meeting with participants who do not have a Skype for Business account.

The app supports up to 250 participants on video conferencing calls.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams works wonderfully even with networks that cannot provide sufficient Internet bandwidth.

If you have 1.2Mbps available for use, you can enjoy a seamless, high-quality audio or video calling experience without frequent freezing and stuttering.

Chat and Messaging: Skype Vs Teams

Chat and Messaging: Skype Vs Teams

Skype For Business

Skype for Business offers a handy group chat option where you can add multiple contacts to one channel. But once you close the chat window, your chat will disappear.

You can save the conversation, but you must have Microsoft Outlook as your default mail client to do so.

You can share messages, documents, and links with others through Skype for Business.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams enables users to log in, access all private and group chats, and see complete conversation histories. All conversations are accessible unless users specifically delete them, irrespective of when you were added to a group chat or left it.

Users can send text messages, audio and video files, documents, GIFs, stickers, emojis, and add rich media content in chats.

Integrations: Skype Vs Teams

Integrations: Skype Vs Teams

Skype For Business

Initially, Skype for Business’s native integration was restricted to calling from telephony apps and systems.

Its integration with third-party app Zapier enabled IFTTT functionality, thereby increasing its connectivity and automation.

It also integrates with MS Office apps.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams offers a lot more integrations than Skype for Business—over 150 third-party apps to enable greater productivity.

Users can quickly access the files and apps they use most often for increased convenience. This significantly streamlines workflows for all team members.

Moreover, the “Apps” feature allows users to access certain services and tools without needing to toggle between them. So users can share article links, weather and stock market updates, and so on without leaving the chat window.

Microsoft Teams also offers inbuilt integration with MS Office 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive, Yammer, and SharePoint.

File Transfer: Skype Vs Teams

File Transfer: Skype Vs Teams

Skype For Business

If you use Skype for Business for your business communication needs, you can transfer files directly from your computer. It can be done through copy and paste or drag and drop functionality.

You can also configure the file size limits and file types. One drawback is that offline users cannot access the file transfer feature.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams allows users to transfer files via SharePoint, which offline users can access.

Guest Access: Skype Vs Teams

Guest Access: Skype Vs Teams

Skype For Business

One great thing about Skype for Business is that even those without an account can join a meeting as guests. The host can invite participants through email or calendar invitations.

However, attendees will need to install a web plugin or the Skype for Business app to be able to attend the meeting.

Microsoft Teams

In Microsoft Teams, external participants granted “guest access” can enjoy a wide range of features. They can create a channel, take part in a private chat or channel, send files, and post, edit, or delete chat messages.

Security: Skype Vs Teams

Security: Skype Vs Teams

Skype For Business

Data privacy and security are essential considerations for a business when its employees send and receive a vast amount of sensitive information daily.

Because it is part of the Office 365 product suite, Skype for Business was developed in compliance with the Microsoft Trustworthy Computing Security Development Lifecycle (SDL). So it follows the same best practices and procedures for security and compliance.

Skype for Business servers uses Micro IM Security, a real-time security solution for threat and data protection. It is centrally managed with the help of single sign-on and role-based access to reduce administration time.

Microsoft Teams

As a cloud-based service, Microsoft Teams uses the high security and compliance measures of Microsoft’s Cloud architecture. It automatically applies the updates and prevents downtime to maintain this level of security.

The app is Tier C-compliant and adheres to the following standards:

  • International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 27001
  • ISO 27018
  • Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements No. 16 (SSAE 16) System and Organization Controls (SOC) 1 and 2
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • EU Model Clauses (EUMC)

Moreover, Microsoft Teams allows users to update customized data compliance and governance policies, providing greater flexibility.

Pricing: Skype Vs Teams

Pricing: Skype Vs Teams

Skype For Business

Since Skype for Business has been replaced by Microsoft Teams and only Skype for Business Server 2019 still works, there are no pricing plans available for this platform that we can use to compare with Microsoft Teams. 

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams offers a range of pricing plans for businesses. They are billed annually but are charged at a monthly rate.

Microsoft Teams (Free)

Under the free plan, users have access to the following features:

  • Unlimited voice and video call meetings (one-on-one and group) for up to 1 hour
  • Unlimited chat and search
  • Up to 100 meeting participants
  • 5 GB file storage in the cloud per user
  • 2 GB file attachments in chat per user
  • Real-time collaboration in Office apps
  • Chat between work and personal accounts
  • Screen sharing, file sharing, tasks, and polling
  • Together Mode to meet with others in a shared virtual conference room
  • Schedule meetings
  • Noise suppression
  • Join meetings without a Microsoft Teams account
  • View default Outlook calendar
  • Import contacts from Outlook and Skype
  • Data encryption for meetings, conversations, and files

Microsoft Teams Essentials

Microsoft Teams Essentials costs $4 per user per month. With this plan, you get all the features and functionalities in the free version along with the following:

  • Unlimited meetings (one-on-one and group) for up to 30 hours
  • Up to 300 meeting participants
  • 10 GB cloud storage per user
  • 24/7 phone and web support

Microsoft 365 Business Basic 

Microsoft 365 Business Basic costs $6 per user monthly. Under this plan, you will have access to Microsoft Teams as part of the Microsoft 365 product suite.

You can use all the features in the Microsoft Teams Essentials plan along with:

  • Recordings and transcripts of team meetings
  • Browser and mobile versions of Office apps
  • Expanded cloud storage of 1 TB per user
  • Guest access
  • Integration with more than 250 apps and services
  • Exchange email hosting with a custom domain email address
  • Schedule and manage appointments with Microsoft Bookings
  • Higher security through single sign-on to all Microsoft 365 apps and services, enforced multifactor authentication, and advanced auditing and reporting
  • Admin tools for managing users and apps
  • Reporting and analytics for Microsoft 365 services
  • Uptime guarantee
  • Customizable user settings and policies

Microsoft 365 Business Standard

This plan costs $12.50 per user per month. It offers access to everything in the Microsoft 365 Business Basic plan with these additional features:

  • Desktop versions of Microsoft Office apps with premium functionalities
  • Webinar hosting
  • Attendee registration pages
  • Email confirmations of attendees
  • Webinar reporting tools
  • Manage customer appointments

Customer Service: Skype Vs Teams

Customer Service: Skype Vs Teams

Skype For Business

As Skype for Business has been discontinued, its dedicated phone helpline no longer exists for customers.

However, users can still get support through its extensive FAQ section on its website. You can also chat with a virtual agent or post queries in Skype’s community forum.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams offers various customer support options, such as training videos, online webinars, and step-by-step setup guides.

You can also resolve advanced technical issues through its live chat support or request a customer call-back. You can also check out Microsoft Teams’ community forum if you need additional support.

Final Verdict: Skype Vs Teams

Although Skype for Business no longer exists, it had many advantages that made it a class apart among collaboration tools.

For companies with 20 employees or less, it offers a fantastic video calling experience. However, Skype’s limited functionalities cannot meet all the needs of every business.

This is where Microsoft Teams steps in. Its wide range of features and functionalities suits all kinds of businesses and organizations.

Teams is undoubtedly the go-to solution if you’re looking for a communication platform with everything you need for efficient communication.

We hope this guide helped you choose between Skype vs Teams. If you enjoyed reading it, check out our website for more such articles.

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