Online VOIP Ratings
Features
16/20
hr
Sound Quality / Reliability
8/10
hr
Customer Support
8/10
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Pricing
9.5/10
hr
Overall Grade:
85%

Skype makes VoIP simple. Probably the preeminent name in voice-over Internet protocol, Skype is the “eBay”, the “Amazon”, the “Google” in its field. In other words, its very name has become synonymous with convenient, free, computer-to-computer calling, chatting and video calling. Skype’s excellent services allow friends and family all over the world to stay in touch and in sight.

Skype has been in the VoIP game longer than most of its competitors; certainly, Skype is the leader in bringing the technology to the common consumer. As such, the company has grown and evolved from the benefit of lots of trial and error. These days, Skype is no longer just a VoIP provider but a community, like Digg or Facebook, with Skype casts, public chats, forums, and more. Above all, Skype knows how to deliver VoIP services in a way that is as enlightening as it is nonthreatening to the mainstream user. If this is you, consider Skype.

Download basic Skype for free; calls, video conferencing, file sharing and instant messaging computer-to-computer are all free. Use Skype to call traditional telephones or cell phones for a low monthly fee (or choose the pay-as-you-go option). Away from your computer? Have calls forwarded to your private number or voice mail service for a fee. Sign up for your own Skype number. Just think about it: whether you’re at home, in the office, or on the road, Skype will keep you connected without running up outrageous cell phone bills.

Skype isn’t just about free Skype-to-Skype calls and easy, low-cost calls to landlines and cell phones around the world. You can also do much, much more. Read on.
Features
Features

 3-way calling
   Call return
   Online account management
 411 information
 Call transfer
 Operator services
 7,10,11 digit dialing
 Call waiting with caller ID
 Phone lines
 911 service
 Distinctive ring
 Repeat dialing
 Add a line
 Do not disturb
 Ring list
 Anonymous call rejection
 E911
 SMS voicemail notification
 Bandwidth control
 Enhanced voicemail
 Soft phone
 Call alarm wakeup
 Fax to email
 Speed dial
 Call forwarding
 Free 411 information
 Toll free number
 Find me/Follow me
 Hold music
 Toll free service
 Call hunt
 Internet forwarding  Video phone
 Call ID block
 In-network calls
 Virtual Phone
 Caller ID with name
 International call block
 Voicemail to email
 Call record
 Number portability
 Voicemail to web access

Your free (with monthly plan) Skype-to-Go number is an attractive feature, a local number that connects you to an overseas destination, along with Skype Find—helping you move your conversations out into the real world. Other cool free features include video calling, instant messaging, and call forwarding and transferring. You can even get Skype on a PSP.

Some advanced Skype features cost extra, such as the ability to call mobile phones and landline phones ($0.021 per minute and up) or to receive calls from mobile phones and landline phones (around $6 per month). But all-in-all Skype has simply the most features (including some really novel ones) of any competitor, bar none.

Sound Quality / Reliability
Sound Quality / Reliability

Sound quality using Skype is par excellence! Skype protects your privacy, is compatible with antivirus software, and leaves your firewalls alone. Skype also runs a tight ship as far as security is concerned; Skype is secure. Beyond just your computer, you can use Skype on WiFi phones and cordless phones, all with the same crystal-clear sound quality and rich-as-life picture quality.

Customer Support
Customer Support

Skype publishes an enormous, searchable Knowledgebase able to answer most users’ questions. There are also a number of user guides, product and feature tutorials, and technical guides. Plus, there are Skype community forums and online support request.

Pricing
Pricing

A truly global organization (available in 28 languages), Skype makes it as easy for you to call Bangladesh on your PC as it would be to call your neighbor down the block; this is a benefit not to be undervalued – especially when friends and family span ranges of thousands of miles and yearn to feel as close as they can with their loved ones, wherever they may be. Get your own online phone number, one that’s gloriously free of all spyware, adware, and malware.

  • Limited usage price: Local, national, and international calls anytime, send inexpensive SMS messages anywhere on the globe pay-as-you-go, calls to US phones (and Skype’s 29 other most popular destinations) cost approx 2.1 cents per minute
  • Unlimited use price US & Canada (yearly): N/A
  • Unlimited use price US & Canada (monthly): Unlimited US & Canada - $2.95 per month
  • Unlimited use price international: Unlimited World - $12.95 per month

  • International rates: Vary depending on locality
  • Activation fee: Free
  • Cancellation fee: None
  • Special offers: Skype to Skype is free
  • Hardware costs: None
  • Fax costs: N/A
  • Shipping fees: Free
  • Rush shipping: Free

FREE services:
  • Skype-to-Skype video and voice calls
  • Group chats: Conference calls of up to 9 people

Refund policy - Skype grants refund requests for all unused and unexpired portions of payments made.