How Much Does Skype Cost?

Knowing what your costs are before signing on to use any services is a great idea. This is especially true with Skype as there a lot of misconceptions that exist about how much Skype costs.

That’s because Skype is not your traditional voice service.

Skype is more than that. Sure Skype was originally intended to be a way for users to make free calls over the Internet to other users, but over time Skype has evolved to become a robust communications service offering instant messaging, SMS, video and collaboration.

The cost of Skype

The best way to take a look at how much Skype costs is to take a look at the different types of communications you can make using Skype.

Skype Download

Skype is a free software download. Anyone with a compatible PC, laptop or mobile phone can download and install Skype for free.

Skype to Skype

All calls between Skype users are complete free. Make one or make 1,000. It doesn’t matter.

Neither does geography. This makes it great for calling your crazy cousin Eddie in Kansas.

Inbound calls

If you want to take inbound calls from anyone other than another Skype user you will need to purchase a Skype phone number. These numbers (and the plans associated with them) start at just $5 per month.

Calls to and from landlines, VoIP services and cell phones

Calls to and from landlines, VoIP services and cell phones are not free with Skype.

They’re almost free.

Through Skype you can purchase a number of low cost calling plans to make calls within certain geographies or worldwide. For example Skype offers an unlimited monthly calling plan (including a Skype number) to US and Canada for just $2.95 per month.

This makes Skype affordable for just about anyone.

Sending SMS messages with Skype

With Skype you can send and receive SMS messages (if you have a Skype phone number). You can send these SMS messages to other Skype users and cell phones through the world.

Sending and receiving SMS messages via Skype is not free. Prices for SMS messages vary based on the destination of the message, but share at just under five cents ($0.05) per message.

Video calling

Today you can use to Skype to make video calls to any other Skype user. This, like Skype to Skype voice calls, is completely free.

At this time you cannot call other video calling users.

Skype can be both free and almost free

Depending on who you are, who you call and how much you do it, Skype can either be free or almost free (when compared with similar services).

Given the features, functionality and wide variety of ways that you can communicate using Skype the cost of getting a Skype phone number and monthly calling plan is down-right cheap.

But like anything you will have to make the decision for yourself as to whether the value Skype brings to the table is worth what they charge.

Is Skype right for you?

Interested in learning more about Skype to see if it is right for you? Check out the educational resources in the right sidebar or give one of our Skype experts a call at 800.398.8647!