Difference between Viber and Skype

Several platforms have evolved in the ever-changing world of communication technology to promote smooth interactions between individuals, both locally and globally. Viber and Skype are two important competitors in this industry, each with their own set of features and functionalities.

Read this article to find out more about Viber and Skype and how they are different from each other.

What is Viber?

Viber is a messaging and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) application that allows users to interact with friends, family, and coworkers using text messages, voice calls, and video calls.

It was created by the Israeli company Viber Media and originally made available in 2010. Since then, it has grown in popularity as a dependable and feature-rich communication platform around the world.

Here are some key features and functionalities of Viber −

Messaging

• Users can communicate text messages, emojis, stickers, and multimedia information such as images, videos, and documents using Viber. Messages are sent over the internet, which makes use of the user's data plan or Wi-Fi connection.

• Users can also participate in group chats, which allow numerous people to converse and share media in the same session.

Voice Calls and Video Calls

• One of the key benefits of Viber is the ability to make free voice and video calls between Viber users anywhere in the world as long as both parties have an internet connection.

• Viber's voice and video calls are well-known for their crystal-clear audio and video quality, making it a fantastic choice for long-distance communication.

Viber Out

Viber Out is a paid feature that allows users to call mobile phones and landlines of non-Viber users. This service is very handy for making low-cost international calls, even to countries without an internet connection.

End-to-End Encryption

• Viber places a high value on user privacy and security. End-to-end encryption protects all communications within Viber, including messages, voice calls, and video conversations.

• End-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and recipient can read or hear the messages, preventing unauthorized access.

Contact Synchronization

• When you install Viber on your device, it automatically synchronizes with your phone's contacts to determine which of your contacts are already Viber users.

• This simplifies the process of discovering and connecting with friends and family who are already on the platform.

Stickers and Emojis

Viber provides a variety of stickers, emojis, and GIFs to enhance the messaging experience and add a playful element to chats.

What is Skype?

Skype is a popular communication platform that provides a variety of services to enable voice, video, and text communication over the internet. It was first introduced in 2003 and soon garnered fame as one of the founders of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. Since then, Skype has evolved and expanded its feature set to cater to both personal and professional communication demands.

Let us now highlight some of the key features and functionalities of Skype −

Instant Messaging

• Users of Skype can send instant text messages to other Skype users. Users can converse one-on-one or create group chats to engage with several individuals at the same time.

• It allows you to use emoticons, stickers, and file attachments to make chats more interesting.

Voice Calls and Video Calls

Face-to-face communication is possible with video conversations, making them a popular choice for personal and business meetings, interviews, and catching up with family and friends.

Screen Sharing

Skype has a screen-sharing feature that allows users to share their screen with other call participants. This function is beneficial for remote cooperation, troubleshooting, and presentations.

Voicemail

Skype has voicemail capability that allows users to create personalized voicemail greetings. When the user is unavailable or offline, callers can leave voice messages.

Difference between Viber and Skype

The following table highlights the major differences between Viber and Skype −

Characteristics	Viber	Skype
Group Video Calling	No	Yes
Contact Synchronization	Yes (Based on phone number)	Yes (Based on Microsoft account)
Platform Support	Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux	Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Smart TVs
Public Chats	No	No
Viber Out (Call to Phone)	Yes (Paid service for non-Viber calls)	Yes (Paid service for non-Skype calls)
Instant Messaging	Yes	Yes
End-to-End Encryption	Yes	Yes
Monetization	Viber Out service for paid calls	Skype Out service for paid calls
Business Integration	No	Integrated with Microsoft Teams

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Viber and Skype provide valuable communication services; however, the differences lie in the specific features they emphasize and the type of user base they cater to.

Viber focuses on ease of use and simplicity for personal messaging and calling, but Skype offers a larger variety of features, making it a popular choice for both personal and business communication needs.