User Reviews

Skype

Skype is a user friendly P2P software, that allows you to make free Internet telephone calls (VoIP) to any other Skype user, anywhere in the world. The sound quality is as good or even better than re ...

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Average of 37 user ratings:

Aug 24, 2007
For version:
3.5.0.214

A real pleasure to use

Interface: 5
Features: 4
Ease of use: 5
Value: 4
Overall:

I call clients in Europe and all over North and South America often. Skype has almost completely replaced landline usage on my end. I have not experienced any quality degradation or connection issues after a few years of use. My only suggestion is to allow the use of more than one Skype account on a single computer without having to switch users. It would be handy to have both work Skype and home Skype available on my main user account for either place (hint to 3rd party developers ;-).

Review by: WareQi (6)
Read all 6 reviews by WareQi

Aug 01, 2007
For version:
3.2.0.175

It's terrible since ebay purchased skype

Interface: 2
Features: 1
Ease of use: 1
Value: 2
Overall:

This used to be a wonderful little program and is still useful if you're doing computer to computer communication, but that's it. If you're a paying customer, it's nearly impossible to get support. Skype Forums are available, but it's a volunteer community and the people there have no ability to fix anything. Call quality to the PSTN (i.e. the regular phone network) varies drastically. For months, I had complaints from the people I was calling that I was inaudible. Skype never fixed the problem. I was on a T1 line BTW. It's fine still for computer to computer, but horrible for the PSTN.

Review by: RichardWicks
First post

Jun 17, 2007
For version:
3.2.0.163

Can avoid if........

Interface: 2
Features: 2
Ease of use: 2
Value: 3
Overall:

I mainly use for cheap PC2Landline calls. Delays are 2-3 seconds on calls due to routing and I can say that the sound is inconsistent. Sometimes I had to call and hung up for 3-4 times before the other party can hear me! Can be improve but if u really needs a clear call, advise u better avoid this...

Review by: sunnymurano (4)
Read all 4 reviews by sunnymurano

Mar 28, 2007
For version:
3.1.0.147

Poor call quality, atrocious customer service

Interface: 1
Features: 1
Ease of use: 1
Value: 1
Overall:

I've been trying to use SKYPE for a few months now. Initially, I had paid for skype out and was not credited for it. It is, however, impossible to obtain a response from "support". Since I needed the service (only VOIP service available in my area) and didn't want to wait any longer for a response from support, I paid for it again. After a few people responded in odd ways to my calls, I called myself on my cell phone, my home phone and my office phone. The sound quality on each message is VERY poor, with dropped sound, echo and inexplicably, every "s" sounds like "sh" - I don't have a lisp. Once again, back to "support", the only access to which is online submission of a problem. In my experience, I get better support from free software than I do from this service, which in the end was quite a bit more expensive than advertised (having paid for it twice).

Review by: maci_yvr
First post

Nov 15, 2006
For version:
2.5.0.151

The best comunication software

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 1
Overall:

Nice interface and cool emoticons. Everything is cool and it certainly kicks all the others chat's as* in all the ways. The Cons is that they offer calls to South America extremely expensive. Like twice the price than with a normal phone card.

Review by: alezjxxx (2)
Read all 2 reviews by alezjxxx

Aug 17, 2006
For version:
2.5.0.137

Strange little

Interface: 4
Features: 3
Ease of use: 5
Value: 2
Overall:

Well, I think I started using Skype as a junior Beta Tester. Had to report all the bugs, waiting for updates and fixes... Not for me. So I got the final version of Skype (which I do not recommend for all people who want to overload the lines!)And here I am, still reporting bugs as an obsession for the good of mankind. (yeah, right!) The end!

Review by: maxshan
First post

May 31, 2006
For version:
2.0.0.107

Variable voice!

Interface: 3
Features: 3
Ease of use: 3
Value: 2
Overall:

Rather large footprint but moderate system resource usage. Pretty straightforward interface. Relatively easy to use. However voice quality is poor to good only. Stability while on a call is very intermittent.

Review by: alnjk01 (136)
Read all 136 reviews by alnjk01

May 27, 2006
For version:
2.0.0.107

Very good voip

Interface: 4
Features: 4
Ease of use: 5
Value: 3
Overall:

Skype is a featured soft-phone that lets to call other skype users for free. However it can also call standard phones and receive calls from other phones, but it needs credit for this. It also lets conference-calls and chatting. It is also very user-friendly.

Review by: Writayan
First post

Mar 05, 2006
For version:
2.0.0.90

Skype is the best

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

You will not go wrong by installing and using Skype.I call friends in Denmark, United Kingdom,India and central China. Amazingly CLEAR with no lost connections. I also use their "skype out service" and blown away with it's clarity. If you could ever imagine calling by way of undersea cable back in the 70's, now this...what are you waiting for? Get connected..no, I am not a Skype employee...just a very SATISFIED customer..jp

Review by: JimmieBoy
First post

Dec 14, 2005
For version:
1.4.0.84

Does exactly what it is supposed to

Interface: 3
Features: 3
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

Have never used any of the paid services on offer, but for talking to other Skype users this is great. Very easy to install and configure, and no problems in use.

Review by: Sianlover (6)
Read all 6 reviews by Sianlover

Dec 06, 2005
For version:
1.4.0.84

Great way

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 4
Overall:

Messengers can't log in because of problems but skype is always there for you.

Review by: rslacson
First post

Dec 06, 2005
For version:
1.4.0.84

This program is truly amazing.

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

Well i will make this brief. I got sick of trying to talk on audio chat with msn messenger and trillian pro as they both sucked on my dial-up so i gave this a try. WOW, what more can i say. Nice gui, simple as apple pie and WORKS like a dream! If u dont get this then it is your loss.

Review by: tomcat (17)
Read all 17 reviews by tomcat

Oct 18, 2005
For version:
1.4.0.78

Why are some people griping about skype?

Interface: 3
Features: 4
Ease of use: 4
Value: 5
Overall:

Some people are always asking about anything "What's BAD about it?". Other people always start by asking "What's GOOD about it?". I belong to the latter category. As SKYPE is continuously improving, its quality is getting better all the time. Third party plugins, such as Pamela (the free voicemail utility), are available and add to an already magnificent SKYPE experience. Personally, I'm quite enthusiastic about SKYPE. If you want to make totally free calls to fixed phone numbers in a large number of countries, then try the VoipBuster program. You can use VoipBuster along with SKYPE. The two programs complement each other and live comfortably in your System tray. Enjoy!

Review by: RobertTrost (11)
Read all 11 reviews by RobertTrost

Oct 17, 2005
For version:
1.4.0.78

Costs aren't as good value as you think

Interface: 2
Features: 2
Ease of use: 2
Value: 1
Overall:

Skype is all hype as far as I'm concerned. If you want to pc to pc chat to someone get Yahoo IM or anything else. If you opt in to the Skype Out plan here you'll find that a lot of calls cost less using a standard mobile phone or landline (depending on what offers your provider has enabled)!! All this chat for 1p a minute stuff is rubbish, you are charged vat on whatever you top up, then vat on top of the minimum call charge, it all adds up sharply. Skype are a rip-off in a big way. As for Customer Service..what Customer Service? It does NOT exist. If you really want to know how good Skype is why not log in to their forums and view just how many dis-satisfied customers they have. It's alarming! Don't say I didn't warn you!

Review by: lesley (2)
Read all 2 reviews by lesley

Sep 12, 2005
For version:
1.3.0.67

Good for free. awful for fee.

Interface: 1
Features: 1
Ease of use: 1
Value: 1
Overall:

I have had nothing but an entirely negative experience with Skype after paying for their fee-based services. Customer support is non-existent, even for paying customers. Trouble tickets go unanswered, and from my experience, do not even generate an automated response. Paying customers' problems vanish into a black hole somewhere. I'll use it for free, but I'll find another provider when I wish to pay. And, although they supposedly offer a full refund if service is unsatisfactory, my refund has yet to appear. Caveat emptor.

Review by: ZenWarrior (17)
Read all 17 reviews by ZenWarrior

Aug 26, 2005
For version:
1.3.0.60

We use it for work

Interface: 5
Features: 3
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

It is a good instant messenger and great Internet telephone. Drives my personal firewall crazy and it uses 26 mb of ram, i would not recommend putting this program on your terminal server. We are now looking at Google talk.

Review by: jcharth (16)
Read all 16 reviews by jcharth

Aug 05, 2005
For version:
1.3.0.60

Excellent replacement for a phone

Interface: 4
Features: 3
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

I remember using the first software to make phone calls over the net back in 1997, VocalTek, by an Israeli startup. They were the pioneers in this field of internet communications. It wasn't as smooth as Skype is today. Overall Skype is very good. I haven't tried other programs. What bothers me is that when somebody is calling, you easily might miss the call, unless your speakers are on and you see the screen. The alert is TOO small, tiny. To be more effective it should be something like 4x6 or to be able to change the size and the color.

Review by: zeeLaz (24)
Read all 24 reviews by zeeLaz

May 30, 2005
For version:
1.2.0.48

Excellent software

Interface: 4
Features: 4
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

I don't know the reason why many people gives negative reviews to this program. In order to enjoy it you should have broadband,a good headset and be able to read(to set it up right).I speak with people all over the world and it sound fantastic.Another factor is to close other programs.If you use a mic it will create an echo at the other end, because you're listening thru your speakers.

Review by: portorican (2)
Read all 2 reviews by portorican

May 17, 2005
For version:
1.2.0.48

Great way to eliminate expensive phone bills!

Interface: 3
Features: 3
Ease of use: 4
Value: 5
Overall:

I have used Skype for over a year now. I have tried a few others, but Skype is great. Excellent communication quality, no annoying delays, etc... I don't understand what users giving bad reviews are talking about. The only think I can think of is if they tried to use it with a phone modem. The bandwidth needed is too great for a regular 33kbps phone modem link. Like another user mentioned, a feature that would greatly enhance this software would be to add webcam capability. Finally, using Skypeout to call a regular landline phone with Skype has worked out very well for me, and it's the cheapest I've found to make International calls. Beats any phone cards I've seen. Try it!

Review by: guy_ak
First post

May 07, 2005
For version:
1.2.0.48

Without the best equipment, not worth the tim

Interface: 4
Features: 2
Ease of use: 3
Value: 1
Overall:

I have tried Skype using the standard laptop microphone and speaker with poor results. The conversations were broken up and the other party could only hear bits of what I was trying to say. I tried it on another laptop with a combined bluetooth mike and earpiece. It was better, but I wouldn't invest any money in this. I will try it from time to time to see if the connection improves. Right now it's up there with hand cranked box phones from the turn of the last century.

Review by: sgtret (21)
Read all 21 reviews by sgtret

May 07, 2005
For version:
1.2.0.48

Skype bad voice quality

Interface: 2
Features: 2
Ease of use: 2
Value: 2
Overall:

I have used skype for many months now, but the sound quality is very bad when calling outside the country.Skypeout is the worsest quality, it`s a shame for the money you lose for to pay skypeout. The sound is so bad that the other party tells not to call anymore, echo and law voice. It`s a crap. And this is even not working with fast internet. Everytime they do an upgrade the sound quality gets worse... Don`t waste your time with skype and don`t waste your money with it. ilanit.

Review by: ilanit (2)
Read all 2 reviews by ilanit

Mar 09, 2005
For version:
1.1.0.79

Not stable

Interface: 3
Features: 3
Ease of use: 1
Value: 1
Overall:

Skype is not stable on my system. It crash/Hang. Sound quality is sometime very poor. It simply DO NOT WORK is you have more that one microphone on your system... you cannot select the microphone.

Review by: lefourge
First post

Mar 07, 2005
For version:
1.1.0.79

Skype voip ? software

Interface: 5
Features: 4
Ease of use: 5
Value: 4
Overall:

Absolutely great software, easy to use,easy to install, great for computer to computer, phoning. Cheapest rates for Computer to land line calling too. The only thing that would make it better would be the ability to use your internet cameras in computer to computer connections.

Review by: ErnieW
First post

Feb 15, 2005
For version:
1.1.0.79

Great except for dial-up

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

This is an extreemly great app. It runs great over broadband even with the cheap Mic and Speakers, I am sure the idea of a USB Phone would optimize this program. THe only downfall is there is an extreem latency issue with dial-up users. there is about a 90 second delay with dial up, so if you have broadband go to town if not stay away.

Review by: Crivitz (2)
Read all 2 reviews by Crivitz

Jan 27, 2005
For version:
0.98.0.68

Investigate for yourself, it's a must look.

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 4
Value: 5
Overall:

Its great, but thats not enough. We use it to call from New Zealand to Asia & Russia with no problems at all. 2 things have made a huge difference, changing from a headset & mike to a phone and the improvements with the new versions released by Skype. There are toms of Skype devices from straight USB phones, to USB adapters to use your normal everyday phone and the latest are dualphones specifically designed for Skype and the PSTN.

Review by: corbnz
First post

Jan 27, 2005
For version:
0.98.0.68

Best pc2pc i've used

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

Though skype has extreme clarity (even to landlines, believe it or not,) calling landlines (SkypeOut) is not the way to go yet due to their terrible payment option (not optionS).

Review by: kesser
First post

Jan 23, 2005
For version:
0.98.0.68

Seems to have a virus

Interface: 1
Features: 1
Ease of use: 1
Value: 1
Overall:

My computer totally freaked out after I ran this app. Beter stay away from it I suggest.

Review by: Knower (3)
Read all 3 reviews by Knower

Jan 22, 2005
For version:
0.98.0.68

It is okay if you dont use the popular ones..

Interface: 3
Features: 2
Ease of use: 3
Value: 3
Overall:

For me, I rather stick with Yahoo, or other messengers. The other end has to have the same account. Due to popularity, I don't think I would use it again. I installed and removed it.

Review by: homeflash (63)
Read all 63 reviews by homeflash

Jan 05, 2005
For version:
0.98.0.68

Taking the telephone industry by storm

Interface: 5
Features: 4
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

I've been using skype for about a year now. Currently you can upload your photo into your profile so the person you are talking to can see your photo. Sound is crystal clear. Sometimes get disconnected but call backs are easy. You can send instant messages. You can transfer unlimited files of unlimited size to your contacts. Works great when you want to transfer videos (which are usually over 10MB) to your contact when hotmail and yahoo only allow a maximum of 10MB transfer and it takes a century. Photo transfers zap instantaneously. Totally free for computer 2 computer. Small fee option for computer 2 landline calls. Created by the guys that originally created kazaa before they sold it to Sharman Networks in Australia which is when kazaa got infested with ad-ware. Skype is ad-ware free because it is still owned by the original creators of kazaa. Totally encrypted.

Review by: Israel (3)
Read all 3 reviews by Israel

Jan 01, 2005
For version:
0.98.0.68

Best internet phone i've ever used.

Interface: 4
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

I have been using SKYPE for more than a year now, and never had it let me down. At first I thought with more users, the voice quality might be down a bit, but no, it just get better. Might not be the best for IM, but it is definitely the best for Internet phone.

Review by: ysying (7)
Read all 7 reviews by ysying

Dec 23, 2004
For version:
0.98.0.68

It works very fine !

Interface: 4
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

Excellent program, I use it from Brazil to talk to relatives and friends in U.K. and Belgium with no problems.

Review by: Ironbender (4)
Read all 4 reviews by Ironbender

Dec 03, 2004
For version:
0.98.0.68

Its ok

Interface: 3
Features: 2
Ease of use: 3
Value: 4
Overall:

I mainly use for cheap PC2Landline calls. Delays are 2-3 seconds on calls due to routing through the States I guess (I'm in New Zealand) eg a call NZ to NZ has a delay of 2 seconds which is a bit disarming for those not used to it. Other problem quite often the call is faulty on first attempt, but on second attempt works, so you get charged a bit extra. However, the price of calls is the best I have found and once the subject gets used to delays its usually pretty good. Alistair+

Review by: Alistair (6)
Read all 6 reviews by Alistair

Oct 23, 2004
For version:
0.98.0.68

Thumbs up!

Interface: 5
Features: 4
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

I've tried the other Freeware programs like this, but none have the clarity as Skype. 2 minor problems, talking in some games can cause problems with clarity or causes Skype to disconnect. I hope a future update will allow you to send messages so that when a friend connects, they can receive the message & i don't need to be connected. If you looking for a Good program to talk with friends, This Is It!!

Review by: Jaymz_ (7)
Read all 7 reviews by Jaymz_

Oct 19, 2004
For version:
0.98.0.68

Awesome

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

The best pc-to-pc talk, plus a great super-cheap dialout service to anywhere if you want it. Really cheap pc-2-phone connection to anywhere in the world.

Review by: drronco (2)
Read all 2 reviews by drronco

Oct 18, 2004
For version:
0.98.0.68

Good

Interface: 4
Features: 3
Ease of use: 4
Value: 5
Overall:

Its a good program, its good, i just want to dial a number!

Review by: Smogersnots (8)
Read all 8 reviews by Smogersnots

Jun 27, 2004
For version:
0.98.0.28

Superior sound

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

If you want pc 2 pc voice, then this is the best. great sound - easy to use - no interference

Review by: billy4him
First post

Jun 07, 2004
For version:
0.98.06

The best that there is in pc 2 pc calling

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

I have been a user of many different PC 2 PC programs and have never seen one that had the sound quality that Skype has. If you are looking for a program that sounds great and easy to use this is the one to get.

Review by: Ubergeek (13)
Read all 13 reviews by Ubergeek