In today’s fast-paced world, choosing the right conferencing app can make all the difference in staying connected and productive. Two popular options, Skype and Jitsi Meet, offer unique strengths and features that cater to different needs. Skype, a household name, is renowned for its user-friendly interface and seamless integration with Microsoft Office, making it a go-to choice for business professionals. On the other hand, Jitsi Meet stands out for its open-source nature and strong emphasis on privacy, attracting tech-savvy users and privacy advocates.
While Skype excels in providing a polished and reliable user experience, Jitsi Meet shines with its flexibility and commitment to data security. Whether you’re looking for a robust tool to enhance your professional communication or a secure platform for your virtual gatherings, understanding the key differences between Skype and Jitsi Meet will help you make an informed decision. Dive into our comparison to discover which app best suits your conferencing needs
General Information
Skype and Jitsi Meet are two popular conferencing apps with distinct features.
Skype is developed by Skype Technologies, a division of Microsoft, and was released in 2003. It is available on a wide range of platforms including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web, Linux, Xbox, and Alexa. This extensive platform support makes Skype highly versatile for users across different devices.
Jitsi Meet, developed by 8×8, was also released in 2003. It supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Web platforms. While it doesn’t have the same breadth of platform support as Skype, it covers the major operating systems used by most users.
Both apps were launched in the same year, offering a long history of development and user feedback. Skype’s integration with Microsoft services and its availability on gaming consoles and smart devices like Alexa give it an edge in terms of platform diversity. Jitsi Meet, on the other hand, focuses on core platforms, ensuring robust performance on the most commonly used devices.
Verdict:
Skype is better due to its wider platform availability, including Xbox and Alexa.
| Attribute |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Developer/Company | Skype Technologies (a division of Microsoft) | 8×8 (Jitsi) |
| Release Date | 2003 | 2003 |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web, Linux, Xbox, Alexa | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web |
Core Features
Skype and Jitsi Meet are popular conferencing apps with several core features that cater to different user needs.
Both Skype and Jitsi Meet offer HD video quality, ensuring clear and sharp visuals during calls. This makes them suitable for professional meetings and personal video chats alike.
In terms of audio quality, both apps provide high-quality sound. This ensures that conversations are clear and free from significant disruptions, making both platforms reliable for important discussions.
Skype is well-known for its user-friendly interface and integration with Microsoft products. It supports features like screen sharing, file transfer, and live subtitles. Additionally, Skype allows for recording calls, which can be useful for keeping records of meetings.
Jitsi Meet, on the other hand, is an open-source platform that emphasizes privacy and security. It does not require users to create an account, making it easy to join meetings quickly. Jitsi Meet also supports screen sharing and has a chat function for text communication during calls.
Both platforms are accessible on multiple devices, including desktops and mobile phones, ensuring flexibility for users on the go.
Overall, Skype and Jitsi Meet both provide HD video and high audio quality, making them strong contenders in the conferencing app market.
Verdict:
Both Skype and Jitsi Meet offer HD video and high audio quality. They are equally matched in core features.
| Attribute | |
|
|---|---|---|
| Video Quality | HD | HD |
| Audio Quality | High | High |
Interactive demos of Skype and Jitsi Meet
Skype Demo
Jitsi Meet Demo
Collaboration Tools
Skype and Jitsi Meet offer different features for collaboration tools.
Skype allows up to 100 participants in both its free and paid versions, while Jitsi Meet supports unlimited participants in both versions. For meeting duration, Skype offers up to 24 hours for free users, whereas Jitsi Meet provides unlimited meeting time for free.
Both platforms support screen sharing, making it easy to present and collaborate in real-time. However, when it comes to recording meetings, Skype has this feature, while Jitsi Meet does not.
Virtual backgrounds are available in Skype, allowing users to customize their meeting environment. Jitsi Meet does not offer this feature.
In summary:
– Participants (Free): 100 vs Unlimited
– Participants (Paid): 100 vs Unlimited
– Meeting Duration (Free): 24 hours vs Unlimited
– Screen Sharing: Yes vs Yes
– Recording: Yes vs No
– Virtual Backgrounds: Yes vs No
Verdict:
Jitsi Meet is better for collaboration tools due to unlimited participants and meeting duration.
| Attribute | |
|
|---|---|---|
| Participants (Free) | 100 | Unlimited |
| Participants (Paid) | 100 | Unlimited |
| Meeting Duration (Free) | 24 hours | Unlimited |
| Screen Sharing | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Recording | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Virtual Backgrounds | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Integration and Compatibility
Skype and Jitsi Meet are popular conferencing apps with various features for effective communication.
In-meeting Chat: Both Skype and Jitsi Meet offer in-meeting chat, allowing participants to communicate via text during meetings.
File Sharing: Both platforms support file sharing, enabling users to share documents and other files seamlessly.
Breakout Rooms: Skype does not offer breakout rooms, whereas Jitsi Meet includes this feature, allowing for smaller group discussions within a larger meeting.
Polls and Q&A: Both Skype and Jitsi Meet provide tools for polls and Q&A, facilitating interactive sessions and feedback collection.
Whiteboarding: Neither Skype nor Jitsi Meet includes whiteboarding capabilities, which might be a limitation for users needing collaborative drawing tools.
Meeting Notes: Skype supports meeting notes, enabling users to take and share notes during meetings. Jitsi Meet does not offer this feature.
Google Workspace Integration: Neither Skype nor Jitsi Meet integrates directly with Google Workspace, which may affect users relying on Google’s suite of productivity tools.
Microsoft 365 Integration: Skype integrates with Microsoft 365, providing a seamless experience for users within the Microsoft ecosystem. Jitsi Meet does not offer this integration.
Third-party Apps Integration: Both Skype and Jitsi Meet support integration with third-party apps, enhancing their
Verdict:
Jitsi Meet is better due to Breakout Rooms, despite Skype’s advantage in Meeting Notes and Microsoft 365 Integration.
| Attribute | |
|
|---|---|---|
| In-meeting Chat | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| File Sharing | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Breakout Rooms | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Polls and Q&A | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Whiteboarding | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Meeting Notes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Google Workspace Integration | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Microsoft 365 Integration | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Third-party Apps Integration | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| API Availability | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Security and Privacy
Skype and Jitsi Meet both offer strong security and privacy features.
End-to-End Encryption: Both Skype and Jitsi Meet provide end-to-end encryption, ensuring that communications are secure and private.
Password Protection: Both platforms support password protection, allowing users to secure their meetings with a password.
Waiting Room: Skype includes a waiting room feature, which allows hosts to control who joins the meeting. Jitsi Meet does not have this feature.
Participant Authentication: Both Skype and Jitsi Meet offer participant authentication, ensuring that only authorized users can join the meeting.
Data Compliance: Both Skype and Jitsi Meet comply with GDPR regulations, ensuring that user data is handled according to strict privacy standards.
Verdict:
Skype is better due to the Waiting Room feature.
| Attribute | |
|
|---|---|---|
| End-to-End Encryption | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Password Protection | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Waiting Room | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Participant Authentication | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Data Compliance | GDPR | GDPR |
User Experience
Skype and Jitsi Meet both offer a high ease of use, making them accessible for users of all technical levels. Skype features a user-friendly UI design, while Jitsi Meet opts for a simpler interface. Both apps support mobile functionality, ensuring that users can join meetings on the go.
In terms of accessibility, both Skype and Jitsi Meet are well-equipped, providing options for users with different needs. However, their customer support differs. Skype offers a Help Center and an online community for assistance, whereas Jitsi Meet relies on community support.
Verdict:
Skype is better due to its user-friendly UI design and dedicated customer support.
| Attribute | |
|
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | High | High |
| UI Design | User-friendly | Simple |
| Mobile Functionality | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Accessibility | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Customer Support | Skype Help Center, online Skype Community | Community support |
Pricing
Skype and Jitsi Meet both offer free tiers, making them accessible for users without any initial cost. Skype, however, has a unique approach to paid services. While it does not have specific paid plans, it offers Skype Credit for making calls to landlines and mobile phones. This pay-as-you-go model allows users to purchase credit as needed.
Jitsi Meet stands out by being completely free and open-source. There are no paid plans or additional costs associated with its use. This makes it an attractive option for users looking for a cost-effective solution without any hidden fees.
Regarding free trials, Skype provides a free trial period for some of its premium features, allowing users to test out these services before committing to purchasing Skype Credit. On the other hand, Jitsi Meet does not offer a free trial, as all its features are already available for free.
In summary:
– Free Tier Availability: Yes vs Yes
– Paid Plans: No specific paid plans, Skype Credit for calls vs Free (Open Source)
– Free Trial Availability: Yes vs No
Verdict:
Jitsi Meet is better for pricing as it is completely free and open source.
Performance
Skype and Jitsi Meet both offer high reliability, ensuring stable connections during calls. Latency is low for both, providing smooth communication without noticeable delays. Resource usage is also low, making them efficient choices for users with varying hardware capabilities. Feedback under high traffic conditions is positive for both, indicating they handle large numbers of users effectively.
Verdict:
Both Skype and Jitsi Meet perform equally well across all measured attributes. Neither is better.
| Attribute | |
|
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | High | High |
| Latency | Low | Low |
| Resource Usage | Low | Low |
| High Traffic Feedback | Positive | Positive |
Unique Selling Points
Skype offers several unique selling points. It integrates seamlessly with Microsoft services, making it a convenient choice for users already in the Microsoft ecosystem. Skype Translator is another standout feature, enabling real-time translation during calls. Additionally, Skype allows calling to landlines and mobiles, and even supports sending SMS. Integration with Alexa adds another layer of convenience for users who rely on voice-activated devices.
Jitsi Meet, on the other hand, is free and open-source, which appeals to users who prioritize transparency and customization. It offers full encryption, ensuring that all communications are secure. Unlike many other conferencing apps, Jitsi Meet imposes no meeting time limits, making it ideal for extended sessions.
In summary:
– Skype: Integration with Microsoft services, Skype Translator, calling to landlines and mobiles, SMS, integration with Alexa.
– Jitsi Meet: Free and open-source, fully encrypted, no meeting time limits.
Verdict:
Skype is better for integration and additional features; Jitsi Meet excels in privacy and being open-source.
| Attribute | |
|
|---|---|---|
| Key Features and Differentiators | Integration with Microsoft services, Skype Translator, calling to landlines and mobiles, SMS, integration with Alexa | Free and open-source, fully encrypted, no meeting time limits |
User Feedback and Reviews
Skype and Jitsi Meet both receive high marks from users but cater to different needs.
Skype is highly rated for its reliability and user-friendliness. Users appreciate its availability across many platforms and seamless integration with Microsoft services. However, it faces stiff competition in a crowded market. Pros include its reliability, user-friendly interface, and broad platform availability. Cons are the lack of premium plans, some missing advanced features, and occasional interface complexity.
Jitsi Meet is highly rated for being open-source and free. Users value its encryption and the absence of time limits. However, it requires self-hosting for full control and offers limited customer support. Pros include being free, open-source, encrypted, and having no time limits. Cons are the need for self-hosting for full control and limited customer support.
Overall Ratings: Skype is highly rated for reliability and user-friendliness but faces competition. Jitsi Meet is highly rated for being open-source and free.
Pros: Skype is reliable, user-friendly, available on many platforms, and integrates well with Microsoft services. Jitsi Meet is free, open-source, encrypted, and has no time limits.
Cons: Skype has no premium plans, lacks some advanced features, and has occasional interface complexity. Jitsi Meet
Verdict:
Skype is better for reliability and user-friendliness; Jitsi Meet excels in being free, open-source, and encrypted.
| Attribute | |
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Ratings | Highly rated for reliability and user-friendliness, but faces competition in a crowded market | Highly rated for being open-source and free |
| Pros | Reliable, user-friendly, available on many platforms, integrates well with Microsoft services | Free, open-source, encrypted, no time limits |
| Cons | ❌ No premium plans, lacks some advanced features, occasional interface complexity | Requires self-hosting for full control, limited customer support |
Final Verdict
Skype and Jitsi Meet both offer HD video and high audio quality, making them strong contenders in the conferencing app market. Skype excels in user experience with its user-friendly UI and dedicated customer support, and it offers a Waiting Room feature for added security. Jitsi Meet, however, stands out for its complete free and open-source model, emphasizing privacy and ease of access without requiring an account.
Final Verdict: Skype is better for users seeking a polished interface and robust support, while Jitsi Meet is
