Skip to main content

How Skype works: What’s behind the premiere online calling service

how does skype work banner image
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you thought Apple-equipped FaceTime was predominant force in video conferencing, think again. Skype has been around for more than a decade, quietly amassing more than 700 million registered users and counting, while helping pioneer a new wave of communication in the saturated field of digital technology. What began with the convergence of Estonian, Danish, and Swedish developers — most notably former Kazaa developer Niklas Zennström — has blossomed into a fruitful venture worthy of an $8.5-billion buyout from the colossal tech giant known as Microsoft.

The application’s foundation and initial offerings, though modest, have made it a mainstay and dominant force in the international call market share. The peer-to-peer system has been known to boast an upwards of 70 million concurrent users online during peak hours, a bar that is constantly being raised internationally, and is laden with an arsenal of ever-expanding features adopted from an emerging market of devices and increasingly-advanced software developments.

Skype’s robust, merits are impressive, but the question remains: How does the damn thing work?

What is it?

Skype is essentially a freemium voice-over-IP service, aka a VoIP, that allows registered users to communicate online via online video calling, instant messaging, and mobile chat. Though relatively young in the grand scheme of things, the software application is arguably the best method for users to communicate long distance, whether they are looking to conduct multi-party business meetings or merely send short, video messages between friends and family. The software requires no more than an internal or external camera and microphone, often built-in your computer or smartphone, and an active Internet connection. Calls and messages within Skype are free, but those to landline and mobile phones will cost varying amounts depending on the region and accompanying subscription plan. Although some cost more than others, paying for the premium services is typically far cheaper than purchasing a dedicated phone or texting plan on your own.

In the United States for instance, unlimited calling to the landlines and mobiles worldwide is priced at $14 a month, while unlimited calling within the United States will cost you a mere $3 a month. Pay-as-you-go and premium plan options are also available within the Skype rate page.

Below is an fairly exhaustive list of Skype-supported devices and accompanying download links. However, the software is also offered on select home phones, TV sets and Blu-ray players in addition to the Playstation Vita and Kindle Fire HD. They all function in a similar manner, but the desktop and mobile apps should suffice for the average user. Remember, communication strictly within the app is completely free regardless of your location or Skype-compatible device.

Device

Download

iOS devices (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad) Download location
Android devices (smartphones, tablets) Download location
Windows Phone Download location
Blackberry Download location
Mac OS X Download location
Windows Download location
Linux Download location

How does it work?

Skype has been heralded for its basic functionality and easy-to-use interface since the get-go. It works in a similar fashion to other instant messaging clients and VoIP services, requiring registered users to log in or create an account before initiating a call, but the overall process is short, sweet, and surprisingly simple to utilize regardless of your level of tech expertise. The technological science behind it is a bit complicated — it involves session initiation protocols that create and send multimedia data packets via a network connection — but all you need to know is how to use it. We’ve briefly summarized the initial steps below to help you along your way just in case you need a little guidance connecting one, or up to 25, people at once.

Step 1: Download, install, and launch the software — Begin by downloading the appropriate Skype application for the device you wish to utilize. Note, both you and anyone else in your party must have the software installed in order to communicate within the application free of charge. Afterward, install and launch the software using the accompanying set up assistant.

Step 2: Log in or create an account — Log in using your chosen credentials if you’ve previously created a Skype account. If you’re a new user, click, tap or otherwise choose the Create an account option — or a similar link thereof — and fill out the required fields pertaining to your name, age, location and email, along with any other information the service might request. Although not completely necessary, we advise accurately filling out the information given it’s often how other registered users will contact you. Choose a unique Skype name and password before continuing.

Step 3: Add contacts — Once you’ve logged in, your going to want add any contacts you wish to communicate with via Skype. Locate the Add Contacts option and search for the user you’d like to add using his or her actual name or Skype name. Write out a personal message if desired, send the request, and wait for approval.

Step 4: Make the call — After your request has been approved, you can initiate a voice call, video call, video message, IM, or file transfer by selecting the appropriate contact and choosing the desired form of communication from the resulting list of options. Skype-to-Skype calls are completely free, but you can always add and call a mobile or landline number for an additional fee.

Editors' Recommendations

Brandon Widder
Brandon Widder is a multimedia journalist and a staff writer for Digital Trends where he covers technology news, how-to…
A new Best Buy sale just started – our 11 favorite deals
Presidents Day sales with electonic devices packed in open boxes.

If you've been looking to do some shopping recently but haven't found the best time, you're in luck! Best Buy has just started an excellent weekend sale with many different products, but, to help save you some hassle, we've collected our 11 favorite deals from the bunch, ranging from robot vacuums to gaming laptops. So, without further ado, let's dive right in!
Shark ION Robot RV761 -- $143, was $260

If you're looking to dip your toes into robot vacuums without spending a lot, the Shark ION Robot RV761 falls within the Shark Ion 700 range and has a few nifty features, making it a good starting robot vacuum. For example, it has a triple brush mechanism that makes it great for picking up pet hair and does relatively well on carpeted flooring. It also has its own that allows you to schedule and control it to fit your schedule, and it comes with sensing technology that lets it avoid bumping into things. On the other hand, it doesn't have home mapping, which is great for the privacy-minded, but that does mean the occasional bump does happen. The Shark ION RV761 has about 90 minutes of battery life before it takes itself in for recharging.

Read more
When is Prime Day 2023? Dates confirmed for the shopping event
Best Prime Day 2022 Deals graphic with multiple products.

After weeks of speculation, we finally know when Prime Day 2023 is kicking off. Amazon has announced that the event will start July 11 at 3AM ET and will run through July 12. As always, Prime members can score some fantastic deals from the sale with popular brands like Peloton, Victoria's Secret, YETI, and Sony just some of the names being touted by Amazon as featuring in the big sale. Members will also be able to shop more deals on small business products than ever before too. As always, expect great discounts on Amazon-owned properties like Kindles, Ring doorbells, Amazon Echo units, and so much more. It's the sale we've all been waiting for since Black Friday.

The Prime Day deals promise to drop every 30 minutes during select periods with deep discounts expected. Select discounts on other Amazon-related things are already available such as 20% off in-store purchases at

Read more
Another big sale is happening at the same time as Prime Day
A variety of electronic devices in open boxes.

Target just revealed that Target Circle Week will run from July 9 to July 15, overlapping with Amazon's Prime Day that's scheduled for July 11 to July 12.

The big sale event will be open to members of the retailer's Target Circle loyalty program, who will be able to receive discounts of up to 50% for certain items. If you're not yet a member, don't worry -- you can join at any time, and membership is free. Once you've signed up, you'll be able to earn 1% from every purchase to redeem at a later time, access exclusive deals, and get 5% off for your birthday, among other benefits.

Read more