TV with DVR & Internet: $84.90/mo
- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Date added: October 08, 2007
- Total Downloads: 5,036,911
- Downloads last week: 15,085
- See full specifications
A newer version of Skype is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 1075 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
Skype is well regarded for offering stable, free VOIP to other Skype users and affordable calling from a PC to a phone, be it a landline or a cell phone. The most recent upgrade makes getting in touch with friends and family--and even complete strangers--much, much easier.
Functionality still varies depending on your Internet connection and what else you're doing with it while using Skype, but they are making some efforts to improve that. When you finish a Skype call, a Web page opens and asks you about the conversation's sound quality. The clean layout combines familiar chat client functions with a dialing interface, so that calling a phone is as simple as entering the desired number and hitting the dial button.
Improvements include conference calling with as many as nine people, video calling, and a browser plug-in that turns phone numbers on Web pages into links that automatically dial via Skype when clicked. There are also Skypecasts, throwbacks to the party-line multiperson telephone conversations from the mid-20th century.
Overall, we think Skype is a strong contender in the Internet Telephony category, and anyone who's interested in talking for free should give it a try. For international callers who have computers, this program is a no-brainer solution for long-distance bills.
Watch the CNET video review of Skype:
Publisher's description
From Skype :Skype is software that enables you to make free calls anywhere in the world. Skype uses innovative P2P (peer-to-peer) technology to connect you with other users. It offers several features, including SkypeOut calling from Skype to regular and mobile phones worldwide, conference calling, and secure file transferring.
Skype calls have better sound quality than your regular phone and are highly secure, with end-to-end encryption. Version 3.5.0.239 includes unspecified updates.
What's new in this version:
Version 3.5.0.239 includes unspecified updates.
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User reviews of Skype 3.5.0.239
- Average user rating: 3.9 stars out of 1075 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 14 user reviewsSee all 14 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Version: Skype 3.5.0.239
Pros: great
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1 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Version: Skype 3.5.0.239
Pros: around...the world.
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: Skype 3.5.0.239
Pros: With a good internet connection and a cheap headset I get perfect call quality. It's saving me tons of money on my cell phone bill. I use video calls to talk to family far away and it feels a lot like seeing them or being in the same room with them. My wife and I use it to help when we're out of town for business for extended periods.
Cons: The only problem is that when you call cell phones it shows up as an unidentified caller. If I'm calling someone who screens their call I have to be sure to let them know that I'm calling in advance or else I'll just get their voicemail. Of course... sometimes this is a good thing...
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Skype 3.5.0.239
Pros: If you want to Talk or up to video, is great.
We were doing audio and video, one user with 512K (Audio+Video transmit) connection and in the other with a 56K modem (Audio+Video View), and the audio + video was perfect
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Skype 3.5.0.239
"Great for chatting online, good for VoIP"
Pros: The program is well put together. The user interface is intuitive and the program is easy to use. It'll download all your contacts from Outlook into it for ease of calling landlines and cellphones. Costs are very reasonable for VoIP.
Cons: Depending, I think, on the number of people using the program at any one time, the reception can be a little fuzzy.
- See all 14 user reviews Write review
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