Comparison of Skype with IM products
By
Jaanus on August 9, 2005 in Skype around the world.
[A review published on CNet](http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-9237_7-6243313.html?tag=blog) highlights the main differences between Skype and other IM products offering Internet calls. Although the review is over two months old, nothing has radically changed in any of the contestants by now, so the table is still fairly accurate. Skype is the most localized one of the crowd, supporting over 20 languages officially and tens more unofficially through our [translations forum](http://forum.skype.com/viewforum.php?f=7). And this is a very valid comment.
> Skype is the only messenger to offer encrypted data transfers, making it the most secure instant messenger of the bunch.
The other items unique to Skype in that review are the availability of inbound phone calls (SkypeIn numbers) and no ads in the interface.
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Comments
When will Skype incorporate a Web cam option so we can see each other?
greenunicorn | Tuesday, Aug 9
What about Gizmo (http://www.gizmoproject.com) ?
They seem about as nice as Skype, and they use a more standard (SIP) protocol, allowing for greater interoperability.
Any toughts on this from the Skype guys and gals?
lodevermeiren | Wednesday, Aug 10
lodevermeiren - there's a recent podcast with Jeff Boneforte who's closley associated with Gizmo. He's making some fine points there, surely to keep us Skypers on our toes. We like a good challenge
Link: http://tinyurl.com/d6cqp
teller | Wednesday, Aug 10
lodevermeiren,
I am not sure you have used Gizmo, but I have tested it and I have found the user experience really really poor. User difficult to find, no chat, etc... I had loads of problems to set up a conversation with another sure on Gizmo.
It also seems that Gizmo replicates what Skype is doing in many instances, see for example the free credit I got which is the same principle as Skype Out free days.
I am not sure what the fuss is all about this Gizmo project to be honest??
Anyway, my $0.02
zapa2005 | Wednesday, Aug 10
Let's be clear on this, I'm a SKYPE fan.
Here is the skinny:
Gizmo allows you pay for multiple services and users with a single credit card, SKYPE does not. Be heard or use Gizmo.
Gizmo allows you to record sessions, SKYPE does not. Ask for it or use Gizmo.
SKYPE to SKYPE sound is OUTSTANDING. The weight of the CODEC and the resulting processor and network load is a just price for it. But it is overkill on SKYPE to phone conversations and as an accessory to online games.
If you are an on-line gamer, ask for a user selectable CODEC from SKYPE so you can use it during gaming or use Gizmo.
Gizmo has poorer sound quality (what the gamers wanted) Means nothing in Gizmo to phone conversations where the throttle is the phone. Still it is far better than phone to phone.
Until SKYPE and Gizmo have video support, lack of message pad is a non issue as you will have to have one or the other IMs up in any case. You want video, ask for it or settle down using MSN Messenger and SKYPE/Gizmo.
On an average the intercontinental SKYPE calls crash three times more often than Gizmo calls. Don't understand yet why.
SKYPE conversations are encrypted, Gizmo will only (maybe) be in release 1.0.
Gizmo help desk is not drowning yet, they respond promptly. (They don't have as many customers to support and/or not that many problems.)
Setup is about equal. The problems with both relate largely to computer/change challenged users.
SKYPE to phone covers the world, Gizmo to phone a few countries. Use whatever reaches your grandpa.
The phone book advantage is SKYPE's. Those of us with known number of family members, friends and business associates this is not a problem.
The problem is convincing everyone to use same tools. Anyone of them may belong to another group using different favorite tools and ego's get into play. Ask for SKYPE to Gizmo call capability (Hey, I can ask, can't I?)
msalminen | Wednesday, Aug 10
As stupid as it will sound: I find many friends and colleagues (30+ grown ups) are reverting to msn because of its "animoticons" and other fun items, probably Skype should lighten up and release something like those silly msn's frogs etc.
carloam | Thursday, Aug 11
Skype is great, definitely better than Gizmo. The one missing feature from Skype is the ability to record conversations...
John
gatobrit | Thursday, Aug 11
Wow.Skype is Skype. I am really fool don't know this kind of voice chat before long time.Lucky i am using now Skype.
Every day i atleast i pronunce SKYPE once and introduce some othere. long live SKYPE. RAJ MALAYSIA ipohraj@yahoo.com
ipohraj | Friday, Aug 12
What about http://bitwiseim.com/? As far as I’m aware, that one’s encrypted as well.
ralesk | Sunday, Aug 14
SKYPE is also the only phone system on IP to offer free service without publicity !
SKYPE OUT also, with the best price !
Germain d'Auvillar
dauvillar | Monday, Aug 22
Skype is a solid, no gimmicks, communication tool. Please do not trivialise it by adopting the MSN quirks.
marchantp | Monday, Aug 22
Well, the author didn't take Jabber (SASL and TLS) into consideration, which by the new Google Talk will probably skyrocket in importance - basically the citation is not really true, but nevertheless, Skype is currently one of the best.
grendelshitsuren | Monday, Aug 29
skype is great. Sungsungpc.com have recently(oct2005) carried out a road how to promote skype and usb phones in Sunway Lagoon Resort Club in Malaysia and we have got great response from the public. You can compare Skype's quality and I have found that even using a wifi Access point, at 20% reception, the quality of voice was still good. Go Skype!
by Sungsungpc.com
seedeweb | Friday, Oct 21