Add to Chrome
Add to Edge
Add to Firefox
Add to Opera
Add to Brave
Add to SafariSkype vs Google Allo
When comparing Skype vs Google Allo, the Slant community recommends Google Allo for most people. In the question“What are the best messaging apps for Android?” Google Allo is ranked 22nd while Skype is ranked 33rd. The most important reason people chose Google Allo is:
Automatically shows options for restaurants/movies/etc when relevant according to the context of the conversation. It's also able to perform actions accordingly like order tickets.
Specs
Question Ranking
Pros
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
Pro Integrated with Google Assistant
Automatically shows options for restaurants/movies/etc when relevant according to the context of the conversation. It's also able to perform actions accordingly like order tickets.
Pro Supports end to end encryption
You can send end to end encrypted message that will auto-delete themselves after a specified time.
Pro whisper SHOUT let's you express yourself through text size
You can easily adjust the text size to show either a whisper or a shout, adding emphasis to your messages. Simply hold the send button and slide up (to shout) or down (to whisper).
Pro Message can self-destruct after a certain time
You can send end to end encrypted message that will auto-delete themselves after a specified time.
Pro Animated stickers and emoji
Some shouted emoji animate and you can download additional stickers and send animated stickers.
Pro Full resolution picture sharing
Pro Smart replies
Part of the Google Assistant is providing common answers based on your conversation thread (like in Gmail/Inbox).
Pro Themes
Each chat's theme can be changed to one of a few themes. Some themes even have specific chat colours for each user, making it easy to see who is talking.
Pro Can share a location
Share your current location or any place with other people.
Pro Encryption on-the-wire and in cloud storage
All messages are encrypted while in transit and on Google's servers.
Pro File sharing
Cons
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.
Con No web interface (yet)
Currently there is no web interface to send message using your computer. Project leads have teased screen shots of the web interface.
Con Few users currently
Allo was just released in September, 2016 and it doesn't have a very large following yet. We haven't yet seen how popular it's going to be.
Con Exclusive
If your contacts aren't on Allo it is worthless, and no one is on Allo. Tried it after Hangouts fail, discarded it within days.
Con History deletes on sign in
If you uninstall the app or migrate to a new phone your messages history is deleted. This, despite the fact that Google keeps a copy of your messages permanently for data crunching.
Con Single device
Part of reliably saying if one saw your message, and having it tied to a phone number, is that you cannot have the same Allo account on two phones.
