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Skype for Business Reviews

Vendor: Microsoft
3.9 out of 5
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What is Skype for Business?

Skype for Business offers features including presence, IM, voice and video calls, online meetings, conferencing, and telephony solutions that support enterprise-level collaboration requirements. Skype for Business Record meetings, share your screen, and annotate PowerPoint for real-time collaboration with up to 250 people and use whiteboard, polls, Q&A, and built-in IM during your business meetings to make them more productive. Skype for Business provides new client experience, Skype for Business Server provides several new features to improve manageability of on-premises servers and hybrid solutions. Skype for Business also supports the Lync client experience so that you can choose a phased upgrade approach to the new client experience for users. Skype for Business is also an integral part of Microsoft Office 365, providing PSTN Conferencing, Cloud PBX, PSTN Calling, and Skype Meeting Broadcast capabilities to Office 365 users.
Get the Skype for Business Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Skype for Business, TeamViewer Business, Zoom Workplace Business and more!
Skype for Business is the #4 ranked solution in top Virtual Meetings solutions. PeerSpot users give Skype for Business an average rating of 7.8 out of 10. Skype for Business is most commonly compared to TeamViewer Business: Skype for Business vs TeamViewer Business. Skype for Business is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 47% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a manufacturing company, accounting for 17% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
Skype for Business
August 2025
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Helped 866,088 peers since 2012

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Skype for Business mindshare

As of August 2025, the mindshare of Skype for Business in the Virtual Meetings category stands at 11.7%, up from 8.1% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Virtual Meetings Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Skype for Business11.7%
Webex15.1%
Zoom Workplace Business11.4%
Other61.800000000000004%
Virtual Meetings

PeerResearch reports based on Skype for Business reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryVirtual MeetingsAug 28, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersAug 28, 2025Download
ComparisonSkype for Business vs Zoom Workplace BusinessAug 28, 2025Download
ComparisonSkype for Business vs WebexAug 28, 2025Download
ComparisonSkype for Business vs Microsoft TeamsAug 28, 2025Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
TeamViewer Business4.36.8%91%87 interviewsAdd to research
Zoom Workplace Business4.211.4%95%225 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

Skype for Business integrates seamlessly with Microsoft tools like Outlook, enabling smooth scheduling and conferencing. Features such as IM, presence, VoIP, and video/audio calls enhance collaboration. Conferencing allows easy desktop sharing, reducing physical meeting costs. Its stability, performance, ease of use, and high-quality video/audio make it ideal for remote work. Persistent chat and conversation history linked with Outlook aid in efficient communication. Users appreciate its compatibility with client devices and federation capabilities.
  • "The conversation history feature in Skype for Business is particularly useful because it links with Outlook, and it is beneficial to access conversations with colleagues from six months ago through Skype for Business."
  • "Using Skype allows us to connect with external agencies when a Skype call is set up and aids in sharing large files efficiently."
  • "The ability to mute everyone else is pretty useful when there is a large audience."

Room for Improvement

Skype for Business faces challenges with interoperability, bandwidth consumption, and call quality. Users report issues with video and audio clarity, integration, and lag. Functionality gaps like lack of a whiteboard, group chats, and instant message retention in meetings exist. It requires better optimization for mobile devices and lower bandwidth, improved user interface, and seamless integration with other Microsoft products. Installation, configuration, and feature addition need enhancement for improved scalability and usability.
  • "There is one issue regarding the audio settings. The application tends to select the internal microphone on devices rather than detecting external headphones."
  • "The user experience during long sessions could be improved to avoid issues like intermittent disconnections or login failures."
  • "The video quality could be improved, possibly due to internet connection issues."

ROI

Organizations experienced cost savings by transitioning to Skype for Business for conferencing, enabling global connections within their field. They achieved a rapid return on investment, within two years for some, and in less than six months for others. Users found minimal issues with operational costs when necessary for their needs.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers evaluating Skype for Business find pricing generally affordable, especially when bundled with Office 365. Licensing is often subscription-based, requiring a per-user fee, though some benefit from free versions or open licenses. While pricing is competitive, customers highlight potential market-specific costs. Negotiating with Microsoft is recommended for better deals. Notably, organizations using Microsoft infrastructure see added benefits. Licensing is a common requirement, but exact costs are not always transparent across organizations.
  • "Skype for Business' pricing is reasonable."
  • "I use the product's open-source version."
  • "When it comes to the pricing of the solution, I rate it as a five out of ten. It falls somewhere in the middle between being cheap and expensive."

Popular Use Cases

Skype for Business is primarily used for virtual meetings, audio and video conferencing, and instant messaging. It facilitates remote communication from various devices, aiding in internal and external meetings. Companies utilize it for team communication, consulting, file sharing, and connecting with clients or vendors. The platform's ease of use and cross-device compatibility support efficient communication without geographical limitations. Many organizations employ it for large-scale virtual meetings, making it a key communication tool.

Service and Support

Many users find the support for Skype for Business reliable and responsive. While some rate it 8 out of 10, others mention satisfaction with the responsiveness and helpfulness. A few users receive priority support from Microsoft and appreciate the clarity and effectiveness of the service. However, some encounter challenges with troubleshooting, seeking faster support. Some users handle issues internally or through forums, rarely contacting support. Overall, experiences vary based on support levels and contracts.

Deployment

Most users find Skype for Business's initial setup straightforward and quick, often part of the Microsoft Office Suite installation. Some report needing no expertise, while a few find it complex, depending on organizational requirements. The deployment generally takes minutes, but in some cases, it might extend to months. Many state ease in use, though setup complexity can vary based on company security limitations and configuration knowledge requirements.

Scalability

Skype for Business demonstrates notable scalability. Organizations report successful integration across departments, supporting thousands of users without issues. Some mention concerns regarding large-scale conferences, yet it remains adaptable for meetings, with 20 to 30 participants commonly using it. Most users find it expandable, with different departments and sectors employing it effectively. Despite reliance on Microsoft's support for future deployment, the platform still meets diverse organizational requirements, showing flexibility and substantial user capacity.

Stability

Skype for Business exhibits stability, though experiences vary. Many find it reliable and stable, while others note occasional issues like slowness, connection drops, and call quality problems. Stability often depends on internet bandwidth, with some reporting issues tied to hardware or network settings. Some rank its stability highly, but others point out occasional crashes and instability. Despite some users shifting to Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business remains popular for stable performance among many organizations.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our Skype for Business Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business17
Midsize Enterprise13
Large Enterprise22
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business34
Midsize Enterprise14
Large Enterprise42
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Manufacturing Company
17%
Government
11%
Performing Arts
9%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Comms Service Provider
7%
Retailer
7%
Computer Software Company
7%
Construction Company
6%
University
6%
Healthcare Company
3%
Renewables & Environment Company
3%
Outsourcing Company
2%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
2%
Educational Organization
2%
Transportation Company
1%
International Affairs Institute
1%
Insurance Company
1%
Legal Firm
1%
Logistics Company
1%
Aerospace/Defense Firm
1%
Non Profit
1%
Real Estate/Law Firm
1%
Wholesaler/Distributor
1%

Compare Skype for Business with alternative products

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Learn more about Skype for Business

Skype for Business was previously known as Skype for Business Plan 1, Skype for Business Plan 2, Lync Server.

Skype for Business customers

EmpireCLS Worldwide Chauffeured Services,LA Fitness, MedcoEnergi International, Tampa General Hospital, and HopewellHoldings Limited.

Related questions

  • 4
Does Skype for Business include features for e-learning?
  • 16
When evaluating Virtual Meetings, what aspect do you think is the most important to look for?
  • 65
What are the tools you recommend to support teleworking?
  • 20
Is there a video conferencing platform that can have a plug-in on a website?
  • 16
Why is Virtual Meetings important for companies?

Product Categories

Product Categories
Virtual Meetings

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Skype for Business Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Executive at a government with 201-500 employees4.5I’ve used Skype for Business for over five years and find it reliable for small meetings, screen sharing, and call history access, though I prefer its audio detection to improve; overall, it outperforms Teams in several areas.
AVP - Testing & QA at Sheorey Digital Systems Pvt. Ltd.4.0I use Skype for Business to connect with Teams clients and vendors and share large files. Its video capability and strong performance are valuable, but improvements are needed for long sessions to prevent disconnections. Previously, I used Webex.
Senior at Krajowy Depozyt Papierów Wartosciowych S.A.5.0I primarily use Skype for Business to communicate with my doctor and within my company, appreciating its simple video and voice quality. However, I'm concerned about its lack of integration with other products, unlike Microsoft Teams.
Senior Strategy Advisor at Plat4mation3.0We use Skype for Business primarily for conference calls, finding its audio and chat functions valuable due to their time-saving capabilities and good telephone integration. However, the technology is outdated and needs transitioning to Microsoft Teams.
Systems Engineer at Advance business consulting3.5I use Skype for Business primarily for team meetings and desktop sharing, which enhances collaboration by easily demonstrating workflows. However, video conferencing quality can be inconsistent, especially with varying internet and bandwidth conditions for dispersed teams.
IT engineer at JCCM4.0I use Skype for Business for video calls at work, and while the video quality is fine, it lacks features. The chat function needs improvement and more flexibility is needed for making calls. I switched from Microsoft Teams due to security concerns.
IT Infrastructure Systems, Services and Virtualization Specialist at IRISA3.5We use Skype for Business for tasks like meter switching and unified communications. It's valuable for its persistent chat and server capabilities. However, improvements for mobile endpoints and better integration with Microsoft solutions are needed. Previously, we used BigBlueButton and other communication platforms.
Director Of Information Technology at Multitech Soporte Profesional IT3.5Skype for Business is simple and straightforward, making it valued for its ease of use. However, it lacks reporting functionality, which I need to enhance our various departmental processes. Despite this, the return on investment seems justified at present.