- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Date added: June 17, 2008
- Total Downloads: 4,552,928
- Downloads last week: 20,639
- 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 1088 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. Improves video quality for video calls.
Version 3.8 improves the audio engine--reducing background noise and drops--hides user profile images in authorizations requests, and fixes a variety of video-related bugs. Version 3.8.0.139 fixes a major security vulnerability, the Skype File URI Security Bypass Code Execution Vulnerability.
What's new in this version:
Version 3.8.0.139 fixes a major security vulnerability, the Skype File URI Security Bypass Code Execution Vulnerability.
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User reviews of Skype 3.8.0.139
- Average user rating: 3.9 stars out of 1088 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 13 user reviewsSee all 13 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: Skype 3.8.0.139
Pros: I've used various versions of Skype for a few years and find it generally very good, sound quality and reliability have improved over time, I use it to keep in touch with friends around the world online for free, doing that for free I'm more than happy to put up with the rare cut offs or similar.
Cons: When installing this version I was online, the installation process said that it would not interfere with my use of Skype, this proved to not be true, I was cut off, not a major issue but I thought it was worth waring others that this may happen to them too. There seems to be an increasing number of higher ranked privacy issues as rated by EULAlyzer(available here and a great tool to check on these issues as backup to reading EULAs), another warning.
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Version: Skype 3.8.0.139
"Best Internet Telephony Service"
Pros: - Excellent Service and great application feature set and easy UI.
Cons: - No thing to complain.
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Version: Skype 3.8.0.139
"Skype, hands down, continues to be the leader in VoIP."
Pros: The audio quality is excellent and I really like how it will read my Outlook Contacts can be accessed to make calls. The Skype Contacts list is independant from Outlook and is accessable from any computer in the world you log onto. I have a SkypePro Account and a SkypeIN number. Combined Skype services makes my annual cost for phone service is only $60 USD per year!
Cons: No real complaints other than it would be nice if the service would email a voice message to you when someone leaves one.
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Version: Skype 3.8.0.139
Pros: ease to use,high efficieny
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Version: Skype 3.8.0.139
- See all 13 user reviews Write review
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