What is the Difference Between Skype and Skype for Business?

Skype and Skype for Business are both communication tools, but they serve different purposes and offer different features. Here are the key differences between the two:

1. Intended Audience: Skype is designed for consumer users and small organizations, while Skype for Business is geared towards larger businesses with more advanced communication needs.
2. Online Meeting Participants: Skype allows up to 20 people in an online meeting, while Skype for Business supports up to 250 people.
3. Integration with Office Apps: Skype is separate from Office applications, while Skype for Business is fully integrated into Microsoft 365, Outlook, and SharePoint.
4. Security and Permissions: Skype uses encryption, but Skype for Business offers enterprise-grade security with stronger authentication and permission controls.
5. Conference Room Setup: Skype has limited conference room setup capabilities, while Skype for Business offers a more sophisticated setup for conference rooms.
6. Accounts: Skype users create their own accounts, while Skype for Business users sign in with their work accounts (email and password).

In summary, Skype is suitable for home use and smaller organizations, while Skype for Business is more appropriate for larger organizations with more demanding communication and security requirements.

Comparative Table: Skype vs Skype for Business

Here is a table highlighting the differences between Skype and Skype for Business:

Please note that Skype for Business is being replaced by newer communication tools such as Skype Meetings and Microsoft Teams. Skype Meetings is a Freemium version of Skype for Business suitable for smaller businesses that want to limit costs but still need advanced features.