Skype is a veteran video calling app. It's been around long before Facebook Messenger even debuted. Today, many apps compete for our attention with features like calling, in-app games, emojis, payments, and more. Skype and Facebook Messenger top that list.
Skype, owned by Microsoft, offers free video and voice calls with the ability to call landlines and smartphones using prepaid credits anywhere in the world. It has a first-mover advantage.
Messenger has a large user base thanks to its close ties with the massive social media platform, Facebook. Messenger also allows users to play in-app games, make video and voice calls, and send or receive payments.
1. Create an account – User interface
Both Skype and Messenger are available on a few platforms, but I'll be using Android as the reference for this guide. If you have a Microsoft account, you can use it to sign in to Skype or create a free account by downloading the app from the Play Store. Similarly, if you have a Facebook account, which you probably do, you can use it to sign in to Messenger. Both apps have a simple user interface.
In Messenger, you can see a list of your online friends, search for them, or tap the camera icon to create a story.
Skype doesn't have a more professional storytelling experience. You can view people on your contact list, tap the call button to see recent calls, or start a new one. The interface suggests that Messenger is focused on chatting, while Skype is more focused on calling.
2. Messages, games, emojis
On Messenger, the first tab displays all contacts, while the second tab displays contacts who are online. Just tap a name to start chatting. There's a shortcut called Wave, which is symbolized by a hand. Tap it to send a hand emoji that waves every few seconds.
In chat, you can share saved photos, tap on a new one, and send voice messages. There's also the familiar Like button we use on Facebook. What interests me is the menu icon, represented by four dots.
You can use the available options to share your location, play games, or even make vacation plans. Then there are third-party apps like Apple Music and Food Network that want to send you messages with relevant content like recipes, new songs and albums, sports news, scores via the Score app, and more.
Skype is different. The usual features like sending text, voice, and photo messages are present. Its design closely resembles Messenger. Skype allows up to 600 group members, compared to Messenger's 250 group limit. There's no third-party app integration, and there are no games either. Tapping the "+" icon reveals options for sharing files, contact details, location, and scheduling calls.
Did I say there are no apps? Well, there are some if you scroll down a bit. Some are from the Microsoft stable, like Bing for searching, OneDrive for file sharing, and Microsoft To-Do for creating lists. You can create polls to collect views and opinions, use TripAdvisor to find hotels, and YouTube for sharing videos.
Skype takes a more focused approach where you can plan events, create polls, and work together toward a common goal. Messenger takes a more casual approach with games and other things—perfect if you want to pass the time or have a fun chat with your contacts.
Messenger and Skype allow you to send emojis, stickers, and GIFs. In Messenger, there's a live GIF search, or you can tap through categories. Emojis are pretty standard across all apps these days, right? Stickers also have a live search.
Tap the "+" icon to find the Sticker Store where you can download tons of sticker packs for free. There's also a premium section. I think people love stickers, even though I'm not a fan.
Skype also has its fair share of stickers and emojis. There's also a tab for mojis, which are just a different name for GIFs. As always, there's some overlap. You can use Bing or Giphy to send more GIFs.
3. Audio and video connection
Skype is very straightforward. You can see the option to make voice and video calls under the “Calls” tab, or open a contact to start a call. To make a group call, tap the “+” icon next to the receiver. You can call up to 25 people in a group call. You can also dial regular phone numbers by tapping the keyboard icon. This makes Skype very useful for travelers who need to stay in touch with clients and customers. You can also record calls.
- Note: Recording calls without the other person's explicit permission is unethical and even illegal in some countries. Make sure you know the laws in that country before recording a call.
To start a call on Messenger, you need to open a chat window—there are no shortcuts on the call screen. On the plus side, you can start group calls with up to 50 people. However, you can't call regular landline numbers or mobile numbers that aren't synced with Messenger.
4. Privacy and Security
Skype chat and voice calls support end-to-end encryption using the popular Signal Protocol. However, this option is turned off by default. You'll need to select "Private Chat" from the user's profile, after which you'll wait for the user to accept your request.
Messenger doesn't offer a similar approach with default encryption. You'll have to select a secret chat from your profile to start it, but there's a catch. Skype encrypts messages from the sender's device to the receiver's.
In Messenger, Facebook encrypts from the sender's device to Facebook's servers, and from Facebook's servers to the recipient's device. So why aren't messages encrypted on Facebook's servers?
Facebook has faced a lot of trouble since the Cambridge Analytica scandal hit the headlines in 2018. I would suggest you refrain from sharing sensitive messages via Messenger even though Facebook promises to take user privacy and security seriously.
5. Platform and Pricing
Messenger is available on the web, and on Android and iOS smartphones. This is very limited, given that Skype is also available on Windows, macOS, the web, iOS, and Android.
Both apps are free to use. Since Skype allows users to make calls to regular mobile and landline numbers, it operates on a credit system. While rates vary from country to country, they are typically around 2.3 cents per minute, along with a 4.9 cent connection fee. Others can also call you on your unique Skype number. You can either pay as you go or purchase a subscription.
Skype also works with the Xbox gaming system and Amazon's Echo line of AI-powered smart speakers.
Messenger vs Skype
If you want to have fun chatting, playing games, and following apps with similar interests, Messenger is your best bet. However, if you're looking for a business app with the ability to make international calls and plan trips and meetings, Skype is more suitable.
