TeamViewer vs Skype
When comparing TeamViewer vs Skype, the Slant community recommends TeamViewer for most people. In the question“What are the best ways to share your screen with others?” TeamViewer is ranked 1st while Skype is ranked 9th. The most important reason people chose TeamViewer is:
Download the client from [TeamViewer](http://www.teamviewer.com) and run the software. Optionally, you can also install the software for unattended control.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Easy setup
Download the client from TeamViewer and run the software. Optionally, you can also install the software for unattended control.
Pro File sharing
You can transfer files over TeamViewer simply by dragging and dropping.
Pro Reliable
TeamViewer has been around since 2005 with an excellent track record.
Pro Free for personal use
As long as you don't use TeamViewer for commercial use, it's free.
Pro Cross-platform
Works on Windows, Linux, OS X, iOS and Android. Works seamlessly independent of platform and accessible for web, mobile, and desktop app usage.
Pro Multiple remote sessions
You can connect to multiple computers at the same time and navigate them via tabs.
Pro Can designate users that can always connect
Has option to give permission for someone to remotely connect with or without being granted.
Pro Two-step authentication support
In tandem with TeamViewer mobile app, you can choose to set up two-factor authentication.
Pro Clipboard passthrough
Things that you copy to your clipboard (ctrl + c), can be pasted on the remote computer (ctrl + v).
Pro Wake-on-LAN
TeamViewer has the ability to wake up a sleeping computer and return it to sleep state on disconnect.
Pro Easily connect with others due to how popular the service is
There's a good chance that whoever you're trying to reach has Skype already set up and familiar with it, avoiding the hassle of installing and getting to know new software.
Pro Screen sharing
You can show your whole desktop, a select part of the screen or a specific window over Skype.
Pro Cross-platform
There's software for Windows, Mac & Linux and apps are available on iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone.
Pro Group video for free
You can hold video calls with up to 10 people.
Pro Available on Linux
A stripped down, minimalist version of Skype is available for Linux.
Pro File sharing
Skype allows you to send any files (MP3s, images, text, etc.) by simply dragging and dropping then in the chat window making it simple to share things with colleagues.
Pro Cheap fixed phone number
Starting at $5/mo you can get a Skype number.
Pro Send SMS and make regular calls
With Skype Credit bought or a subscription, you can send SMS and make direct calls.
Pro Group chat with archive / records
Pro Powerful 1:1 chat and also group chat
Cons
Con Not Free
It is not free as other apps with the same functions.
Con Free version stops working
After a while your MAC address gets banned and the free version will stop working.
Con Naggy
Each time the application is in the process of being closed it stops to try to sell you the paid version.
Con Linux support is very slow. It is built on wine.
Con Compromised leading to many users having their personal information stolen
Users are reporting that TeamViewer has been compromised, leading to these users having their personal computers and browsers used in a remote session in order to purchase copious amounts of online codes.
Con Linux version's performance could be better
TeamViewer is powered by Wine, an emulator, on Linux and as such it runs slower than a native application would.
Con Plagued by bugs on all platforms
Crashes and other bugs are prevalent on Android, Windows and other platforms.
Con Subpar video quality with more than 5 users
Skype has significant problems with multiple users and video quality. Skype recommends that a max of 5 users group chat as video quality is severely affected. Even webcams tested with other chat services showed lower quality when used with Skype.
Con Not a feasible alternative as a professional team chat
Missing key feature such as centralized mgmt, centralized billing, data retention policies, ...
Con Poor quality when screensharing
It is not possible to manually set resolution or bitrate, and Skype often defaults to a resolution so low that text is unreadable. It is also not possible to transfer control over mouse and keyboard.
Con Slow filesharing speed
Con Owned by Microsoft
Con Obnoxiously large ads
Ads take up over 25% of the usable space.
Con Poor Linux support
The version available for linux users is quite outdated, and does not support some of the newer functionality, such as the free group video calling and screen sharing.
Con Requires both ends to be online (if neither end is using a cloud-enabled device)
Messages are sent and received only when both ends are online, if neither end is using a cloud-enabled device. In this case, if you are online 9-17 and your recipient is online 18-3, messages will never be delivered.
Con MIcrosoft (Skype's owner) actively assists eavesdroppers
On the other hand, if you lose your copy of one of your conversations, you may be able to get a copy of it from your government with a little bit of luck and a public records request.