If you’re running a B2B go-to-market team in 2024, you’ve probably noticed there’s no shortage of tools promising to make your life easier. But what about the old guard? This is a deep-dive into Skype—the once-ubiquitous video and messaging platform—to see if it still deserves a spot in your sales, marketing, or customer success stack. If you’re sick of hype and just want the truth about what works (and what doesn’t), you’re in the right place.
Who Should Even Consider Skype in 2024?
Let’s get one thing out of the way: Skype is not the hottest new app. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack, and a dozen others have eaten a lot of its lunch. But Skype isn’t dead. It’s free, it’s stable, and—depending on your needs—it might actually be good enough.
You might consider Skype if: - You run a small or mid-sized B2B team and don’t want to pay for yet another SaaS subscription. - Your clients or prospects are international and sometimes outside the “big tech” ecosystem. - You need basic video calling and chat, without the overhead or bloat of enterprise tools.
You should look elsewhere if: - Deep integrations (CRM, project management, email) are mission-critical. - You need advanced meeting features like breakout rooms, webinars, or persistent channels. - Security and compliance are non-negotiable. Skype is encrypted, but it’s not built for strict regulatory environments.
What Skype Does Well for B2B Go-To-Market Teams
Let’s focus on the basics that matter for actually getting work done.
1. Video and Audio Calls: Reliable, Familiar, and Free
- Call quality: Still surprisingly solid, especially for 1:1 or small group meetings. Not bleeding-edge, but not embarrassing.
- Cross-platform: Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and even in-browser.
- No forced logins for guests: Non-Skype users can join via a link, which is handy for dealing with prospects who don’t want to create yet another account.
- International calling: Skype’s paid credits for dialing phone numbers worldwide are still some of the cheapest around.
Pro tip: If sales or customer success needs to call overseas mobiles or landlines, Skype can often beat Zoom or Teams on price and simplicity.
2. Chat and File Sharing: Simple, Gets the Job Done
- Instant messaging: Basic, but works. Group chats are easy to spin up for a deal or campaign.
- File transfer: Drag and drop files up to 300 MB. No fancy search, but it won’t choke on a PDF or pitch deck.
- Search: It’s there, but don’t expect Slack-level power.
3. Screen Sharing: Good Enough for Demos
- One-click sharing: No plugins, no confusion. Works decently for product demos, onboarding, or troubleshooting.
- No fancy annotations: If you need to mark up a screen or collaborate on a whiteboard, you’ll miss Teams or Zoom.
4. Cost: Hard to Argue With Free
- Zero cost for core features: Video, chat, screen sharing, and group calls are all free.
- Paid calling credits: Only needed for dialing actual phone numbers.
Where Skype Falls Short
Time for some honesty. Here’s where Skype just can’t keep up with modern B2B needs:
1. Integrations: Almost Nonexistent
- CRM: No native Salesforce, HubSpot, or custom CRM tie-ins. You’ll be copy-pasting call notes manually.
- Calendars: Outlook and Google Calendar invites are possible, but scheduling is clunky compared to Zoom or Teams.
- Automation: Forget about bots, webhooks, or automated workflows.
2. Meeting Features: Stuck in the Past
- No breakout rooms: You can’t split groups for workshops or roundtables.
- No built-in polls, Q&A, or hand-raising: Basic video and audio only.
- Recording: Available, but limited. Recordings expire after 30 days unless you download them.
3. Security and Compliance: Fine for Most, Not for Regulated Industries
- Encryption: Calls and messages are encrypted, but not end-to-end by default.
- Compliance: No HIPAA, no SOC2, no audit trails. If you’re in finance, healthcare, or government, look elsewhere.
4. User Experience: Feels Old—Because It Is
- Interface: Serviceable, but dated. Expect a few clicks to find what you need.
- Notifications: Can get noisy, especially if you’re in multiple group chats.
Real-World Scenarios: When Skype Actually Makes Sense
Here’s where Skype still punches above its weight:
- International Prospecting: Sales reps calling prospects in regions where Zoom links are blocked or Teams isn’t available.
- Budget-Conscious Teams: Startups or small agencies who don’t want to pay for every single user.
- Legacy Clients: Working with customers who still insist on using Skype, especially in parts of Europe, Asia, or Africa.
But if your team’s daily life revolves around pipeline updates, CRM integration, and multi-channel outreach, you’ll hit Skype’s limits fast.
What to Ignore: Features That Don’t Matter
- Skype Number: Tempting for “virtual presence,” but most B2B buyers want real contact info or expect you to use their preferred platform.
- Background Effects and Emoji Reactions: Fun, but not mission-critical for B2B go-to-market work.
- Skype Translator: Interesting, but machine translation is still rough. Don’t rely on it for closing deals.
Should You Use Skype in 2024? The Verdict
If you want simple, free video calls and chat with the occasional need to call international phone numbers, Skype is still a solid choice. It’s not exciting, but it works. If you need integrations, advanced meeting features, or airtight compliance, you’ll outgrow it quickly.
Bottom line: For B2B teams with basic communication needs and a tight budget, Skype is a “good enough” fallback. For everyone else, it’s probably time to move on.
Keep It Simple and Iterate
Don’t let shiny new tools distract you from what matters: talking to customers, closing deals, and keeping teams in sync. If Skype gets you there, great. If not, don’t be afraid to move on. Test what works, keep your stack lean, and don’t sweat the rest.