Remote working and online team collaboration is quickly becoming the new normal. Businesses need software they can rely on. Microsoft Teams and Skype are two of the biggest players in the field.
What are the differences? Which one is right for your business?
Let’s examine Microsoft Teams vs. Skype and see who wins!
Key Similarities
At their most basic level, both Microsoft Teams and Skype are online productivity tools. They allow for team collaboration using voice calling and video conferencing.
You can hold meetings and set up messaging groups on both platforms. You can have 1:1 discussions using video calling. When Skype began, this was its unique selling point.
Now there are several services offering the same, or better. Microsoft Teams is one of the leaders in this.
It also allows for integration with telephony and voice calling. NuWave Communications offers a range of unified voice solutions.
Key Differences
Microsoft Teams has several features that are not present on Skype. These include persistent chat. When a chat closes in Skype, the history is lost. Microsoft Teams allows you to pick up where you left off and view the older messages.
Team Collaboration
Microsoft Teams also allows you to set up ‘teams’ within departments, with clients, or for projects. You can use this team for meetings, instant messaging, and document sharing. It keeps everything in one easy-to-access space.
In the key battleground of Microsoft Teams vs Skype – online meetings – Microsoft Teams comes out on top. That’s because while you can hold meetings using both platforms, Teams has far more advanced features. These include backgrounds, live captions, and a whiteboard feature.
Microsoft Teams Live Events
You can use Microsoft Teams to set up a meeting, webinar, or live event that anyone can attend. Attendees do not need a license, just an invitation. They will be able to participate, share their screen, and make comments during the presentation.
There is also a dial-in option, allowing users outside the organization to connect by phone if desired. You can have a maximum of 300 participants in a Teams meeting. However, with a license, you can extend this to 10,000 listen-only participants.
Thinking Long-Term
Skype for Business was officially retired on July 31, 2021. That means that if you want to stick with regular Skype, you can have a maximum of 20 users. Most businesses will need to transition to an alternative service, such as Microsoft Teams.
Windows 11, Microsoft’s latest OS, will come with Teams integrated by default. While Skype will still be available to download, it looks like Skype will retire soon. Now’s the time to make the switch to Microsoft Teams if you have not done so already.
Microsoft Teams vs. Skype – The Verdict
In the battle of Microsoft Teams vs. Skype for Business, there can be only one winner – Microsoft Teams. Not only does it have more features for the peri and post-pandemic workplace, but it’s also receiving Microsoft’s full backing. Expect developments and more cool features in the future.
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