What is Skype?

Skype is a free program that allows you to talk to friends and family on your computer or mobile device. You can even talk to each other live over video chat . All of this is possible through a technology called voiceover IP, or VoIP (pronounced voyp ) , which can transmit your voice over the Internet. Skype uses VoIP to let you make phone calls, video calls, group calls, and more over the Internet instead of using traditional phone lines.

Watch this video from Say it Visually to learn more about Skype.

How much does it cost?

Many of Skype's most popular features, including voice calling, video calling, and instant messaging, are completely free to use. However, using Skype to call landlines or cell phones does cost money, ranging from a few cents per minute to several dollars per month. To learn more about pricing, visit Skype's Rates page.

Alternatives to Skype

Skype isn't the only software that can be used to make VoIP and video calls. Check out some of these other options as well.

• Facebook Video Calling
• Google Hangouts
• Apple FaceTime
• Yahoo! Messenger
• FaceFlow
• ooVoo