Latest updates for versions of Skype for Business that use Windows Installer (MSI) 5/13/2020; 13 minutes to read +15; In this article. Use the links on this page to get more information about and download the most recent updates for the perpetual versions of Skype for Business 2016, Skype for Business 2015, and Lync 2013 clients. In certain countries, you’re also able to use Skype with Alexa, and there are a range of separate Skype apps for content creation, business, and broadcasting. Where can you run this program? This version is for Mac, but you can also download versions for Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, tablets, Kindles, Xboxes, and even Alexa.
Skype for Desktop (Windows): Today, this version is Skype Prime. If a feature exists for standard. Download Skype And Max Os X 10.7.5 - real advice. One of the most advanced and feature rich video communication programs available to Mac users and allows people to connect with both Mac.
Skype has been around for years, connecting people on different sides of the planet (and closer) via the magic of the internet. In its day, it was the VoIP to be reckoned with - easily a market leader at the top of its game. Over time, however, technology has marched on and people have found new ways to stay in touch with their nearest and dearest - has Skype managed to keep up?
Power or bloat? That’s up to you to decide...
Skype for Mac has been around for years and has changed from being a piece of must-have software to something that’s no longer everyone’s first choice when they want to call someone online. In case you’ve managed to avoid the app until now, Skype is VoIP (voice over internet protocol or internet calling) software. It lets you make telephone and video calls to anyone else using the software and, for an extra charge, to “normal” telephone numbers too.
Visually, Skype for Mac is acceptable but not great. Even though it’s regularly updated, it is reminiscent of software from the early 2000s, with cutesy emoticons and a soft, rounded feel. It’s pretty easy to find your way around once you’ve added your contacts but make no mistake — adding these contacts in the first place is one of Skype’s greatest challenges.
The quality of calls and videos is dependent on your internet connection - if it’s good, call quality is perfect and if it’s bad, it’s a subpar experience. Many users complain of other problems with the software, independently of the internet connection. These complaints tend to be sporadic and anecdotal, but it’s worth bearing in mind. When your calls do connect correctly, you’ll be able to use some fun and unique features, like call recording, subtitles, group emoticons, and screen sharing.
Back when Skype was released, there weren’t many alternatives and certainly none that were as user-friendly and enjoyed such widespread adoption. That made it an incredibly popular app back in the day, so today, with so many alternatives to Skype and alternatives to VoIP in general, is it still as essential an app as it once was?
This may be a question that has occurred to the people at Skype too. They’ve launched lots of additional free and paid call-related services and features that you can add. As well as being able to add credit to call non-Skype numbers, you can also sign up for a Skype number that looks like a local landline. Handy for business and something that’s definitely not offered by Skype’s competitors. In certain countries, you’re also able to use Skype with Alexa, and there are a range of separate Skype apps for content creation, business, and broadcasting.
This version is for Mac, but you can also download versions for Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, tablets, Kindles, Xboxes, and even Alexa.
There are certainly lots of alternatives to Skype, but not specifically for Mac. If you’re specifically looking for a desktop app for Mac, Viber fits the bill. In terms of functionality, it’s much like Skype, but it offers a much cuter, younger vibe that will appeal to many.
Besieged by connection problems, buggy behavior, and even accusations of privacy concerns on Mac, it’s no wonder that many people have abandoned Skype-like apps completely, instead opting for mobile alternatives like Whatapp and Facebook to call the ones they love.
Go ahead and download it if you’re in need of a standalone VoIP app for Mac with a focus on voice calls, or some Skype-specific features.
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-->Summary: Skype for Business Server 2019 or Skype for Business Online administrators can use these tables to understand what features are supported on which clients.
Before you deploy or upgrade to Skype for Business Server, check which clients are already in use in your organization. Use the tables below to understand the feature support impact on those clients. This can help you communicate changes to users, pace the roll-out process, and fully understand the benefits of upgrading to the latest client.
Some features available with Skype for Business Server 2019 are not available in Skype for Business Online; see Online or Hybrid user account limitations for specifics. Skype for Business Online Admins may want to refer to Skype for Business Online Service Description for information on the different plans available to them.
The following tables show the features that are available with each client that works with Skype for Business Server 2019 or Skype for Business Online. You may also want to refer to Mobile client feature comparison for Skype for Business for smart phone and tablet client feature comparisons. The Client Access License or User Subscription License your organization purchases will also have an impact on which features are available to your users. Whether you deploy the Full or Basic client to users depends on the license or plan your organization chooses to buy. See the Licensing Guide for more details.
Important
Skype for Business Server 2019 and Skype for Business Online support the following previously released clients: Lync 2013, Skype for Business 2015, and Skype for Business 2016, as well as the Skype for Business 2019 client. For information about these clients when used with other servers, see the Client comparison tables for Lync Server 2013 and Desktop client feature comparison for Skype for Business 2015.
Note
The Skype for Business Web App browser client and Skype Meetings App Windows 10 app only provide Meetings support. Refer to Plan for Meetings clients (Web App and Meetings App) for more about these clients.
This table covers the Enhanced Presence features that extend beyond a simple indication of whether a user is online, offline, busy, etc.
Feature/capability | Skype for Business 2015, 2016, or 2019 client | Skype for Business on Mac | Lync 2013 client |
---|---|---|---|
Publish status | ✔ | ✔ ❶ | ✔ |
View status | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View status notes and Out of Office messages | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Add a custom location | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Add a custom note | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Use a photo from any public site for My Picture (not available in Skype for Business Online) | ✔ | ✔ |
❶ Does not support publishing status based on calendar free/busy information.
This table covers the features relating to managing IM and Presence contacts.
Feature/capability | Skype for Business 2015, 2016, or 2019 client | Skype for Business on Mac | Lync 2013 client |
---|---|---|---|
Pre-populated Contacts list | ✔ | ||
View and Modify Contacts list | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Tag contacts for status change alerts | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Control privacy relationships | ✔ | ✔ | |
Search the corporate address book | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Search Microsoft Outlook contacts | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Manage contact groups | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Expand distribution groups and Microsoft 365 Groups | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Search for Response Groups (not available in Skype for Business Online) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Display recent contacts group | ✔ | ✔ | |
Display current conversations group | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Display alternate contact views (for example, tile) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Sort contacts by Group, Relationship, or New (people who've added you to their Contacts list) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Sort contacts by Status (availability) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Search and add Exchange contacts | ✔ | ✔ |
This table covers features related to IM support.
Feature/capability | Skype for Business 2015, 2016, or 2019 client | Skype for Business on Mac | Lync 2013 client |
---|---|---|---|
Initiate IM with or email to a contact | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Navigate among multiple IM conversations/Track multiple conversations in a single tabbed window | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Log IM conversations in Outlook | ✔ | ✔ If server-side conversation history is turned on | ✔ |
Check spelling | ✔ | ✔ | |
Skill search (with SharePoint Server integration) (On-premises Skype for Business Server and on-premises SharePoint 2013 are required for skill search.) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Persistent Chat (Group Chat) integration (not available for Skype for Business Online) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Escalate a Persistent Chat room to a Skype for Business Meeting with one click (not available for Skype for Business Online) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Inline pictures of sender and receiver in IM window | ✔ | ✔ | |
Receive ink messages | ✔ | ✔ | |
Set IM messages as high importance | ✔ | ✔ |
This table covers features related to Meetings support.
Note
Skype for Business meeting features aren't available in Skype for Business Online Standalone Plan 1. Plan 1 is being retired.
In Skype-to-Skype sessions, a Skype for Business Online Plan 1 user can participate in desktop sharing and application sharing if they're invited by a user who has access to sharing features.For details, see the Skype for Business Online Service Description.
Feature/capability | Skype for Business 2016 client | Skype for Business on Mac | Skype for Business Web App | Skype for Business 2015 client | Lync 2013 client |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Add computer audio | ✔ | ✔ | ✔(requires plug-in) | ✔ | ✔ |
Add video | ✔ | ✔ | ✔(requires plug-in) | ✔ | ✔ |
View multiparty video (gallery view) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Video-based screen sharing | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ View-only | ||
Use in-meeting presenter controls | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Access detailed meeting roster | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Participate in multiparty IM | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Share the desktop (if enabled) | ✔ | ✔ ❶ | ✔ ❶ (requires plug-in) | ✔ | ✔ |
Share a program (if enabled) | ✔ | View only | ✔(requires plug-in) | ✔ | ✔ |
Add anonymous participants (if enabled) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Use dial-in audio meetings ❷ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Initiate a Meet Now meeting | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Add and present Microsoft PowerPoint files | ✔ | ❸ Annotations not available | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Navigate Microsoft PowerPoint files | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Add and edit OneNote meeting notes | ✔ | Edit only (not add) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Use a whiteboard | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Conduct polls | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Upload files to share with others | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Schedule a meeting or conference | Outlook or Skype for Business Web Scheduler | Outlook or Skype for Business Web Scheduler | Skype for Business Web Scheduler | Outlook or Skype for Business Web Scheduler | Outlook or Lync Web Scheduler |
Q&A Manager | ✔ | ||||
Disable attendee video | ✔ | ✔ | |||
Disable meeting IM | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Mute Audience | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Make everyone an attendee | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Produce Skype Meeting Broadcast | ✔ | ||||
Delegate can schedule a meeting on behalf of delegator | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
Synchronize delegates between Skype for Business and Outlook | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
Set Video Spotlight (lock video) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Give/Take control of screen sharing | ✔ | ✔ |
❶ Participants can't control desktops that are shared by Skype for Business on Mac, Lync for Mac 2011, or Communicator for Mac 2011 users. Skype for Business on Mac, Lync for Mac 2011 and Communicator for Mac 2011 users can't control desktops shared by Windows users. This also won't work for Skype for Business Web App on Max OSX.
❷ For Skype for Business Online, this feature requires Microsoft PSTN Conferencing, Exchange Unified Messaging, or a third-party audio conferencing provider.
❸ The Lync for Mac 2011 client cannot view Microsoft Office 2013 PowerPoint presentations when they have been shared in a conference by the Skype for Business Web App.
❹ For Skype for Business 2016 apps, you must be using Click-to-Run, build 16.0.4227 or later.
➀ For Skype for Business 2015 apps, you must have the September Update, build 15.0.4747 or later.
This table covers features related to voice services support.
Note
Skype for Business Voice (Telephony) features are limited to certain Skype for Business Online subscription plans. For details, see the Skype for Business Online Service Description.
Feature/capability | Skype for Business 2015, 2016, or 2019 client | Skype for Business on Mac | Lync 2013 client |
---|---|---|---|
Initiate a call | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Click to call a contact | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Transfer a call | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Manage call forwarding | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ ❶ |
Manage team call settings | ✔ | ✔ ❶ | |
Manage delegates | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ ❶ |
Initiate a call to a Response Group | ✔ | ✔ ❶ | |
Support emergency services (E-911) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ ❶ |
IM notification to SIP URI(s) for E-911 call | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
IM notification to distribution list for E-911 call | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Connect to voice mail, set up or change greeting | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ ❶ |
Missed call notification | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ ❶ |
Make calls on behalf of another contact (manager/delegate scenario) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ ❶ |
Handle another's calls if configured as a delegate | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ ❶ |
Call park | ✔ | ✔ ❶ | |
Group call pickup | ✔ | ✔ ❶ | |
Location-based routing | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Manage Response Group/Team call group | ✔ | ✔ |
❶ This feature isn't available in Skype for Business Online.
This table covers features related to support for external users homed on the PSTN.
Feature/capability | Skype for Business 2015, 2016, or 2019 client | Skype for Business on Mac | Lync 2013 client |
---|---|---|---|
Initiate IM with a public contact | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Initiate IM with a federated contact | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Conduct two-party or multiparty calls with external users (not available in Skype for Business Online) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
This table covers features related to support for recording meetings.
Feature/capability | Skype for Business 2015, 2016, or 2019 client | Skype for Business on Mac | Lync 2013 client |
---|---|---|---|
Client-side recording of audio, video, application sharing, desktop sharing, and uploaded content | ✔ ❶ | ✔ ❶ | |
Client-side recording of file transfers, shared OneNote pages, and PowerPoint annotations | ✔ ❷ | ✔ ❷ | |
Select preferred recording resolution | ✔ | ✔ |
❶ Recording is unavailable in certain Skype for Business Online standalone plans. Recording requires full Skype for Business client rights.
❷ Recording of file transfers, shared OneNote pages, and PowerPoint annotations is unavailable in Skype for Business Online.
This table covers features requiring support for modern authentication.
Modern authentication also requires a topology described in Skype for Business topologies supported with Modern Authentication.
Feature/capability | Skype for Business 2015, 2016, or 2019 client | Skype for Business on Mac | Lync 2013 client |
---|---|---|---|
Modern Authentication | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-factor Authentication | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Cert -Based Authentication | ✔(Domain-joined device only) | ✔ | ✔(Domain-joined device only) |
Kerberos Authentication | ✔ | ✔ |
This table covers features related to support for archiving and logging functions.
Feature/capability | Skype for Business 2015, 2016, or 2019 client | Skype for Business on Mac | Lync 2013 client |
---|---|---|---|
Archiving of IM conversations in Outlook Conversation History | ✔ ❶ | ✔ If server-side conversation history is turned on | ✔ ❶ |
Client-side archiving of audio, video, application sharing, desktop sharing, and uploaded content | ✔ ❶ | ✔ ❶ | |
Client-side archiving of file transfers, shared OneNote pages, and PowerPoint annotations (unavailable in Skype for Business Online) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Access sign-in logs from Skype for Business icon in the task bar | ✔ | ✔ |
❶ For Skype for Business Online users, this feature requires Exchange Online and is controlled by the user's Exchange mailbox In-Place Hold attribute.
The features below are available using the Full client and are not available with the Basic client:
Manage team call settings
Manage delegates
Make calls on behalf of another contact (manager/delegate scenario)
Handle another's calls if configured as a delegate
Manage a high volume of calls
Initiate a call to a Response Group
Call park
Change greeting
Group call pickup
User accounts can exist either Online or On-premises, and that will affect the features available to that user. Users with accounts on Skype for Business Online will not have access to the following features, even with the Full client:
Enhanced Presence: Use a photo from any public site for My Picture
Contacts: Search for Response Groups
IM Support: Persistent Chat (Group Chat) integration
IM Support: Escalate a Persistent Chat room to a Skype for Business Meeting with one click
External Users: Conduct two-party or multiparty calls with external users