Choosing the right VoIP service can streamline communication, reduce costs, and enhance customer service for UK businesses. Voipfone and Skype are popular choices, each offering unique features and pricing structures. In this comparative analysis, we’ll delve into the features, pricing, and overall suitability of Voipfone vs Skype, helping you determine which might best meet your business needs.
Voipfone vs Skype
Category | Voipfone | Skype |
---|---|---|
Main focus | UK businesses (SMEs) with customer support needs | Internal and international business communication |
Platform compatibility | Mobile apps (iOS, Android), desktop (Windows, macOS) | Mobile apps (iOS, Android), desktop (Windows, macOS) |
Virtual phone numbers | Yes, local, national, and international numbers available | Limited, primarily US numbers |
Audio calls | High-quality VoIP calls | High-quality Skype-to-Skype calls |
Video calls | Limited, audio-focused | High-quality video calls |
Call management tools | Advanced (IVR, call queuing, call transfer) | Basic forwarding only |
Voicemail-to-email | Yes | No |
Fax-to-email | Yes | No |
Call recording | Available as add-on (£2.50 per month) | Limited call recording features |
Screen sharing | No | Yes |
Messaging | SMS available | Instant messaging within Skype |
File sharing | No | Yes (up to 300 MB files) |
Integration | Basic integrations | Full Microsoft Office 365 integration |
International calls | Standard rates | Competitive international rates |
Support | UK-based support | Limited to Microsoft support |
Monthly pricing | Customisable (starting from £4/user for bundles) | Free for Skype-to-Skype calls; add-ons vary |
Virtual number cost | £2/month per virtual number | £4.30/month for a Skype Number |
UK call rates | 1.5p/minute for landlines; 9p/minute for mobiles | 2.1p/minute (pay-as-you-go) |
International plans | Available upon request | Europe Unlimited (£6/month), UK Unlimited (£3.60/month) |
Contract terms | No contracts, pay-as-you-go | No contracts, pay-as-you-go |
Best suited for | Customer support-centric businesses needing UK-focused features | Internal communication, international calling, and MS Office users |
Pros | Local UK support, advanced call management, flexible packages, UK numbers | Free Skype-to-Skype calls, MS Office integration, competitive international rates |
Cons | Requires familiarity with call management, extra costs for add-ons | Limited call management, lacks SMS and UK business features |
Key features comparison
Both Voipfone and Skype provide core VoIP functionalities, including voice calling, messaging, and basic collaboration tools. However, each platform has strengths in different areas. Here’s a breakdown of their core features:
Voipfone
Voipfone is designed with small to medium UK-based businesses in mind, offering a rich array of VoIP and related services. Notably, Voipfone offers:
- Virtual phone numbers: Voipfone provides UK local, national, and international numbers, enabling businesses to expand their reach and manage virtual offices.
- Call management tools: With call queuing, call transfer, and interactive voice response (IVR) features, Voipfone enhances customer service operations.
- Mobile and desktop apps: The platform offers dedicated apps for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS, allowing businesses to stay connected on the go.
- Voicemail-to-email: Voicemails are automatically converted to audio files and sent via email, making it easier to access and manage messages.
- Fax-to-email: Voipfone provides a digital fax solution that converts faxes into email attachments, removing the need for a traditional fax machine.
- Call recording and analytics: Call recording is available as an add-on, providing valuable insights and enabling businesses to track performance metrics and compliance.
- SMS and text messaging services: Voipfone allows for business SMS, a handy tool for marketing, reminders, and customer updates.
Skype
Skype, a Microsoft product, is more consumer-focused but is often adapted for business use. Skype for Business has transitioned to Microsoft Teams, yet many businesses still rely on Skype for its accessibility. Key Skype features include:
- Audio and video calling: Skype provides high-quality voice and video calls, making it useful for both one-on-one and group meetings.
- Instant messaging and file sharing: Built-in messaging allows for real-time collaboration, and users can send files up to 300 MB directly within chats.
- Screen sharing: Screen sharing during video calls makes Skype a practical option for remote presentations and training sessions.
- Skype-to-Skype calls for free: Internal communication on Skype is free, which is a cost-effective solution for small teams.
- Integration with Microsoft Office: Skype integrates smoothly with Microsoft’s suite of tools, particularly useful if your business already uses Office 365.
- International calling options: Skype offers competitive international call rates, beneficial for businesses with global clientele.
Pricing comparison – Voipfone vs Skype
When selecting a VoIP provider, pricing can be a decisive factor. Here’s a detailed comparison of Voipfone vs Skype pricing models.
Voipfone pricing
Voipfone uses a pay-as-you-go model, with no contracts, making it flexible for businesses of varying sizes. Here’s a quick overview of Voipfone’s pricing:
- Virtual numbers: Local and international numbers are available starting from £2 per month.
- Pay-as-you-go call rates: Voipfone’s UK landline call rates start from 1.5p per minute, with mobile rates beginning at 9p per minute.
- Add-on services: Call recording costs around £2.50 per month, while other services like call queuing and IVR are billed separately.
- Bundled packages: Voipfone offers cost-saving bundles, including packages for office extensions and additional lines starting at £4 per user per month.
Voipfone’s flexibility with features makes it suitable for businesses looking to customise their VoIP services without excessive expenditure on unused features.
Skype pricing
Skype has a distinct pricing structure based on usage, particularly for businesses making frequent international calls:
- Skype-to-Skype calls: Free, making it budget-friendly for internal communications.
- Skype calling plans: Skype offers subscriptions like the UK Unlimited (£3.60 per month) and Europe Unlimited (£6 per month), beneficial for businesses making numerous outbound calls.
- Pay-as-you-go: Rates for UK calls start from 2.1p per minute, with additional charges for mobile calls and international calling options.
- Add-ons: Additional services such as Skype Number (starting at £4.30/month) allow businesses to have a dedicated line for incoming calls.
While Skype is cost-effective for internal communications, its limited call management features might not suit more complex business operations.
Pros and cons
Each platform has its strengths and limitations. Here’s a rundown of the pros and cons of Voipfone vs Skype:
Voipfone
Pros:
- Rich call management features (IVR, call queuing, voicemail-to-email).
- Extensive options for virtual numbers, aiding business localisation.
- Flexibility with pricing and no long-term contracts.
- Comprehensive UK business focus with tailored features.
Cons:
- Higher learning curve due to extensive call management features.
- Additional costs for certain add-ons like call recording.
- Limited integration with third-party platforms compared to Skype.
Skype
Pros:
- Free Skype-to-Skype calls, reducing costs for internal communication.
- Easy-to-use interface, ideal for quick setup.
- Integration with Microsoft Office enhances workflow if your business uses Office 365.
- Good for international calls with competitive rates and plans.
Cons:
- Limited call management options and no support for IVR or call queuing.
- No dedicated business features for UK-specific needs.
- Lacks voicemail-to-email and SMS capabilities.
Suitability for UK businesses
In evaluating Voipfone vs Skype, it’s essential to consider the unique needs of UK businesses:
- Voipfone is ideal for businesses requiring a tailored VoIP solution with strong customer support features. The platform’s range of UK-specific numbers, call management tools, and flexible pricing options make it well-suited to SMEs focusing on customer engagement and operational efficiency.
- Skype is more suited to businesses seeking an economical communication tool for internal use or companies heavily integrated into Microsoft’s ecosystem. It’s especially beneficial for international companies needing affordable global calling rates but does lack specialised UK business tools.
Conclusion – Which is best for your business?
In choosing between Voipfone vs Skype, assess your communication priorities.
Voipfone’s robust call management, localised features, and flexibility make it ideal for businesses requiring a structured and scalable solution.
On the other hand, Skype’s cost-effectiveness and ease of use are attractive for teams focused on internal communication or businesses embedded within the Microsoft Office environment.
If you prioritise customer service, scalability, and advanced call management, Voipfone offers a versatile solution tailored to the UK market. For cost-effective, internal communication with a focus on simplicity and Microsoft integration, Skype may be your preferred choice.
FAQ
Voipfone is tailored for UK-based SMEs with specific features like virtual UK numbers, call management, and customer support tools. Skype, while global and integrated with Microsoft Office, lacks the specialised business tools that many UK firms find essential for managing customer interactions effectively.
Skype provides high-quality video calls, suitable for team meetings and international calls. Voipfone is more audio-focused, making it ideal for businesses that prioritise voice communication, especially with advanced call management options not available on Skype.
Voipfone excels with features like IVR, call queuing, and voicemail-to-email. Skype has limited call management, only offering basic call forwarding, which may not be enough for businesses needing more structured call flows and customer service tools.
Voipfone offers call recording as an add-on service, ideal for tracking customer interactions and compliance. Skype has limited recording features, available only on specific calls, which may not meet the needs of businesses that require regular call recording.
Voipfone offers flexible, pay-as-you-go options with competitive UK rates starting from 1.5p/min for landlines. Skype has a range of subscription options and international plans, starting from £3.60/month for UK calling, appealing to businesses with specific call volume needs.
Both offer international calling, but Skype has lower rates and specific international plans, such as the Europe Unlimited. Voipfone provides international numbers and competitive rates, making it suitable for companies needing a more UK-centric approach to global communication.
Voipfone provides virtual UK local, national, and international numbers, catering to businesses looking to localise their presence. Skype only offers limited virtual numbers, primarily in the US, so UK businesses might find Voipfone’s options more fitting.
Skype integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Office 365, which can streamline workflows for companies already using these tools. Voipfone, on the other hand, offers basic integrations, focusing more on its own specialised VoIP and call management features for UK SMEs.
Voipfone offers SMS for business communications, ideal for reminders and marketing. Skype only has in-app messaging, without SMS functionality, which may limit options for businesses needing diverse messaging capabilities for customer interactions.
Skype is quick to set up, especially for basic internal communications. Voipfone’s setup requires more familiarity due to its range of features, but it’s ideal for businesses needing comprehensive call management, which makes the extra setup worthwhile for customer-facing teams.