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Google Hangouts vs Skype Full Comparison

Satyendra Prasad

February 11, 2023

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With the numerous growing messaging service providers, Google Hangouts vs Skype, which were formerly the most popular go-to alternatives, are being displaced by newer solutions. At the same time, both continue to entice the public to use their platforms for both personal and corporate purposes. The two companies give the same service to their consumers, but they differ in whose requirements and desires of the customers they serve.

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As Google Hangouts strives to challenge Skype’s market dominance, what was once a simple choice—which technology to use for free video conferencing—has become more complicated. While the early years were riddled with poor connections and pixelated visuals, the conferencing software was ultimately straightened out and expanded to include mobile versions. With this speed boost and platform extension, Skype immediately became the go-to software for free video conferencing.

Google declared this year that it will compete for that distinction with the launching of Google Hangouts. While the concepts are similar, Hangouts varies from Skype in various ways. When it comes to integrating technology, we studied both applications and prepared a list of benefits and downsides for each platform.

Google Hangouts vs Skype Comparison 2022

Which is superior, Google Hangouts or Skype? Not sure if Skype or Google Hangouts is the better option for you? Not a problem! This comparison assists you in making the right selection. Examine the categories in which Skype and Google Hangouts compete, as well as existing customers, market share, and category ranking.

Still unsure?

Customers of Skype and Google Hangouts are comparable and different in terms of industry, region, and purchasing tendencies. To remain competitive, today’s businesses seek the best Communications Software solution. On this website, we assist you in purchasing the finest option by allowing you to compare Google Hangouts versus Skype down to the smallest of details.

You may also look at our overall scoring values, which measure the software’s overall quality and performance. Google Hangouts had an 8.8 rating, whereas Skype received a 9.0 rating. Similarly, you may compare their overall user satisfaction ratings: 92% (Google Hangouts) vs 98%. (Skype). Remember to choose the software that best addresses your most pressing concerns, not the software with the most features.

Throughout the pandemic, Google Hangouts and Skype may have lagged behind Zoom. However, they continue to have a large number of users who use the platforms daily. The underlying principle is the same, however, the two services differ significantly in terms of functionality. The decision between Hangouts and Skype boils down to what you want and need from a chat service.

On this page, we will compare the two platforms and discuss their differences and similarities. We also discuss which is best for business users and describe the paid business solutions. Let’s get started.

• Client bases of Skype vs Google Hangouts

When we compare the client bases of Skype and Google Hangouts, we discover that Skype has 47227 customers while Google Hangouts has 2647 customers. In the Web And Video Conferencing category, Skype ranks third with 47227 subscribers, while Google Hangouts is twentieth with 2647 customers.

• Market share of Skype vs Google Hangouts

Skype has a 1.53% market share in the Web And Video Conferencing market, whereas Google Hangouts has a 0.09% market share. Skype ranks third in Slintel’s Market Share Ranking Index for the Web And Video Conferencing category due to its greater market share coverage, whereas Google Hangouts ranks twentieth.

• Customers of Skype vs Google Hangouts by location

When we compare the geographical locations of Skype and Google Hangouts customers, we can see that Skype has more clients in the United States, the United Kingdom, and India, whereas Google Hangouts has more consumers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

Introduction to Google Hangouts

Google Hangouts is a chat program made available by Google. It enables users to share and receive messages, images, and other media. It also provides free video conversations between people or groups. It was previously a Google+ service, but Google incorporated Google+ Messenger and Google Talk into Hangouts. Google introduced it in 2013. It allows users to connect with friends and family and initiate conversations. This application is available online via Gmail.

With features like the ability to group chat with up to ten users for free – a function that Skype only offers for a price – Hangouts is surely giving Skype a run for its money. However, there are drawbacks to being the new kid on the block, and the team behind Hangouts is currently in the process of releasing services such as messaging and has begun enabling users to make phone calls over the Hangouts service as of July 9, 2013.

Introduction to Skype

Skype is a telecommunications tool that allows video and voice conversations to be made between mobile phones, computers, and other devices. It requires an internet connection to provide any of its functions. It’s also used for communications, which can include text, images, music, or video. It enables several persons to participate in video conference calls at the same time. Skype was founded in 2003 by Skype Technologies. Microsoft Incorporation presently owns it. It is one of the most popular video chatting apps.

Skype, which was launched in 2003 and had over 100 million users by 2006, is hardly a novice in this arena. Skype has long provided capabilities such as presence, SMS (for a cost), and outbound audio calling, to mention a few that Hangouts is still new to.

Comparison of Google Hangouts vs Skype features

As a follow-up to our Skype vs Google Voice tech comparison graphic, the editors at Search Unified Communications have prepared a chart that compares Google Hangouts vs Skype feature-by-feature. Google Hangouts is the cooler, elder sister of Google Voice, a VoIP solution focused mostly on audio chats; yet, is it feature-rich enough to overcome a market that Microsoft has dominated for so long? Examine the chart and let us assist you in making your decision.

What the Market Has to Say about Google Hangouts vs Skype

According to several reviews, people prefer Skype to Hangouts. Skype enables up to 50 individuals to participate in a video chat, but Hangouts only supports 25 participants. They claim that with such capability, it becomes the superior alternative. Most individuals, particularly entrepreneurs, favor Skype because of its capacity to provide powerful services for both small and large businesses.

Other users, on the other hand, believe that Hangouts is best suited for startups. Because the platform is low-cost, it is an excellent tool for starting to increase your company’s efficiency. When asked which of the two works better, the market has varied viewpoints and options. A Google Hangouts vs Skype comparison will be offered to assist users to pick the software that best meets their needs, each with its own set of strengths and disadvantages.

Which Is Better: Google Hangouts or Skype?

Users use these services because of the simple UI, group chats, video calling, free service, and instant calling. While some people choose Skype for personal use, others prefer Google Hangouts for business use. If you compare the functionality of both services, you will find Google Hangouts to be superior to Skype. Google Hangouts outperforms Skype in the following areas.

• Free phone calls

Google Hangouts allows you to make unlimited free calls to landlines and mobile phones for extended periods. You can stay in nations like Canada and the United States for as long as you wish. However, you will have to pay per minute for the Skye.

• Problems regarding bandwidth: Google Hangouts vs Skype

When utilized by several people, Google Hangouts does not cause any bandwidth issues.

However, you may have a similar issue using Skype. Furthermore, Google Hangouts has a Slider that allows the user to handle any bandwidth issues that may arise throughout the cooperation. This feature is not available with Skype.

• Video Conferencing: Google Hangouts vs Skype

You may start a group video conference with 10 members using Google Hangouts. The number will be fifteen if you buy the premium version. You may start a video conference with 25 participants using Skype. However, for this feature, you must purchase the premium version.

• Free service: Google Hangouts vs Skype

You may have utilized Skype’s free service, including free video calls. Yes, Skye provides free video conferencing for one-on-one meetings. If you wish to add additional people, you must select the premium service. Any one person must have a paid subscription to participate in group conferencing. However, you will not have this issue with Google Hangouts.

• Link to the Uberconference: Google Hangouts vs Skype

Uberconference is linked with Google Hangouts. This implies that non-video participants can dial the call conference number and participate in video conferences. This feature is not available with Skype.

• Integrate with Google Docs: Google Hangouts vs Skype

Google Hangouts integrates with Google Docs, allowing users to edit and share documents in real time. This functionality is not available on Skype.

• Screen Sharing: Google Hangouts vs Skype

Both of these sites allow you to share your screen for free. However, Google Hangouts will make it much easier. Google Hangouts has more sophisticated features. However, before you choose one, you must first comprehend the objective of the usage. Skype is an excellent choice if you want to use it for personal or small-scale commercial reasons. Google Hangouts will be beneficial to medium and large-scale businesses.

When it comes to incorporating modern technology into the software, we researched both applications and developed a list of pros and cons for each platform.

Skype

Pros:

• Skype’s basic version is simple to install and use. After creating an account, individuals may add people they know who have Skype accounts to their contacts list. When contact is online and available to chat, a green icon appears next to his or her profile.
• A video conference begins with a simple click on the contact. The link is clean and fluid (provided users are connected to a reasonably solid Internet source). The audio is clear, with very little echo.
• Skype also has a solution for education. Skype in the Classroom is a free worldwide community where instructors can connect, locate partner classrooms, learn about other cultures, and share ideas.
• Over a Skype video chat, managers can watch what other meetings are doing, and participants may exchange ideas and cooperate on projects as well.

Cons:

• Skype is a technology for face-to-face video conferencing. Because only two devices may be linked at the same time, the number of individuals who can participate in the call is severely limited.
• Furthermore, there is no screen-sharing option, which means that a user cannot share a view of his or her computer screen with guests.

Google Hangouts

Pros:

• Google Hangouts, like Skype, is relatively simple to install and set up, especially if you already have a Google account. After creating an account, individuals may begin building their contact list and hosting Hangouts.
• The video and audio are both of good quality.
• Unlike Skype, Google Hangouts allows for many more active participants—up to ten devices can be linked to a single conference.
• Google Hangouts is a productivity tool suite that allows users to share what’s on their screen, collaborate in Google Docs, see presentations, and draw collaboratively. Simply click the “Add app” button within the Hangout to browse and add additional applications.
• If a team member is unable to join the hangout, users can dial in by hitting the “Invite” button and then the “+telephone” link. Calls to the United States and Canada are free.

Cons:

• The slower the connection becomes as more applications are added to a user’s Hangout. High-demand apps, such as those that put humorous hats on players’ heads, might result in significant latency and even frozen screens.
• While the video quality is adequate, it is not as excellent as that of Skype.
• Because Google Hangouts supports numerous participants, it does not provide one-click conferencing. A user must first create a Hangout, then invite attendees and start the conference.

Similarities between Hangouts and Skype

Both Hangouts and Skype provide the essential functions that one would expect from a chat program. They let you send messages to contacts as well as make video and audio calls. You may exchange files such as films, photos, and documents. Both services offer group talking, however, each has its own set of constraints that we’ll go through later.

Hangouts and Skype may be used on desktop and mobile devices, and they support a variety of platforms (Windows, Android, iOS). Messages instantly sync between devices, allowing you to pick up where you left off if you move from your PC to your phone in the middle of a conversation.

Differences Between Hangouts and Skype

Despite their similarities in broad strokes, the two services are extremely distinct. The Hangouts software is simpler and less feature-rich than Skype, making it simple to learn and use. Skype, on the other hand, allows you to delete and amend communications you’ve sent. You may also respond to messages with different emojis and quote messages before forwarding them to another contact. You may even send audio messages and generate polls without any difficulty. Google Hangouts, on the other hand, lacks all of these functionalities.

There’s also video chat. On Skype, you can have a group chat with up to 50 participants, but Hangouts only permits 25. Skype also has excellent video chat services that are useful for small enterprises, various online meetings, or just casual talk between two pals. You may share your screen, record the conversation, and even enable subtitles if you can’t hear the call well.

Hangouts, on the other hand, does not provide anything comparable. It just allows you to view and chat with one or more individuals, and that’s about it. There are no user-added functions, as there are on Skype. You may, however, apply filters to make the chat more engaging. You can, for example, put on a pirate cap with the touch of a button, but that function is only available on desktop computers.

Let us now discuss cryptography. Skype and Hangouts both encrypt data sent between your device and the firms’ servers. That means it’s difficult, if not impossible, for someone to listen in on your discussion when you’re using public Wi-Fi, but both Microsoft (owner of Skype) and Google (owner of Hangouts) can potentially view your messages and other activities if they want to. Unlike Hangouts, though, Skype provides end-to-end encryption, which means that neither Microsoft nor anyone else can view the communications you transmit. To use this function, you must first initiate a “Private discussion” with a contact.

There is also a significant variation in the user interface between the two services. Although this is a matter of personal opinion, I believe Skype has a more current look that is easier on the eyes than Hangouts. Whereas both services are accessible on a variety of platforms, only Skype offers a Windows client, while Hangouts requires you to utilize a browser on a PC. The advantage of Hangouts is that it can be used with a Google account, which you most certainly already have. To use Skype, you must first create a Microsoft account (if you don’t already have one), which isn’t a major problem but is worth knowing.

The advertisements are also worth highlighting. Unfortunately, obnoxious advertisements will appear in Skype’s applications. So far, we haven’t noticed any advertising while using Hangouts, so Google gets extra points.

Which is better for you: Hangouts or Skype?

Without a doubt, Skype is the better alternative. It looks much prettier and has many more functions. I really enjoy the flexibility to amend or remove sent messages, as well as the opportunity to respond to received messages. I also enjoy that I can start a private discussion with end-to-end encryption, though I’d prefer if every message or call I sent or made offered similar security, as Viber, Signal, and a few other apps do.

“Skype is a superior overall solution.”

We’d rather use Skype than Hangouts any day of the week. That may not be the case for everyone. It’s important to remember that Hangouts offers a few benefits over Skype.

The first is the lack of advertisements, which is one of the reasons why some people choose Hangouts over Skype. Another advantage is that Hangouts is integrated into your Google account, so you don’t have to sign up for it separately. You can use the same Hangouts password that you’ve previously memorized. You’re immediately logged in to all Google services once you sign in to one.

To summarize, Google Hangouts is ideal if you want a basic program that delivers all major functions. However, if you want the most functionality, Skype is the way to go. If you’re still undecided about which one to use as your primary messaging app, give them both a try. Consider which of these two applications your friends and family use. A messaging service, no matter how amazing it is, is useless if you don’t have somebody to speak with.

Please bear in mind that Google intends to discontinue its Hangouts app. It will be overtaken by Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet, both of which are already accessible to corporate users. This year, consumers are anticipated to get access to them.

For business purposes: Google Hangouts vs Skype

Skype is a far superior solution for one-on-one or group business-related video calls. It allows up to 50 participants to participate, as opposed to the 25 allowed by Hangouts. You may also record a meeting and share what’s on your screen using Skype. Unfortunately, the free version of Skype is still insufficient for many organizations since it lacks a few basic functionalities. These include the ability to disable your microphone or the microphone of another participant.

As a result, both organizations provide paid services to businesses of various sizes. Google offers two options: Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet. The first enables secure team messaging, either one-on-one or in groups. Hangouts Meet, on the other hand, is a video and voice conferencing solution that can accommodate up to 250 people for each conversation on its most costly subscription. Microsoft Teams, a service that mixes texting and video conferencing, has taken the role of Skype for Business.

Hangouts Chat and Meet are part of the Google Workspace membership options, which include a variety of other useful services. Pricing begins at $6 per user. Microsoft Teams, on the other hand, is free, but it only allows team members to communicate and share files. To receive the video conferencing capability included in your plan, you must pay at least $5 per person. Microsoft Teams, like Google Workspace, adds additional features such as OneDrive storage and more.

When features are added, the two services become significantly distinct, making it hard to declare a winner. Both, though, do the job. Your best chance is to compare the cost and included features of both services using the links above, and then determine which is a better fit for your company’s needs.

Final Thoughts

Let’s face it: Hangouts is primarily intended for video calls, and the chat capability is pretty limited. You cannot transfer files other than photographs, delete, alter, or otherwise manipulate messages, and you cannot even search the message history. Furthermore, you are not always alerted when there is a new message in the chat.

However, video calls function quite well with one exception: if your volume is turned down, it’s easy to miss them. Another thing to bear in mind is that Google Hangouts requires a Google account. If you are not a Google fan and do not have a Gmail account, you will need to get one to use Hangouts.

What is undeniably advantageous with Hangouts is the low cost of mobile/landline calls.

If you often make international calls, Hangouts may save you a lot of money. As a result, We recommend using Google Hangouts for video conversations and international mobile/landline calls, but not for day-to-day discussion.

Skype, for its part, had it all until it chose to rebrand. People appear to dislike the new Skype, and many are already hunting for Skype alternatives. Aside from the unclear look, Skype remained the communication program we’ve come to know – with sophisticated chat capability, file sharing, easy search, and high-quality audio and video chats.

Skype is still an excellent alternative for personal communication.