In 2016, Google announced two new IM apps called Google Allo and Google Duo. Google Allo never gained traction among users, but Google Duo quickly became the talk of the town. Consumers liked its simplicity, default integration with Google contacts, and some unique features like Knock Knock. Google Duo’s competitors include WhatsApp, Skype, Zoom, GoToMeeting, etc. is found. So it’s easy to think about whether to use Google Duo on your Android phone purely out of convenience or Skype for video calling.
Due to the global pandemic, many people are working at home and looking for the perfect video calling app to chat face-to-face with family members and professionals. On the iOS side, iPhone and iPad owners have the FaceTime app, while on Android the situation is a bit more complicated. While Google Duo is a capable competitor, there is another competitor Skype we should consider.
Recently, Skype has been adding new features that are highly favored by mobile users. In this article, we will compare Google Duo with Skype to find a suitable video calling app. The comparison will cover the UI, features, video calling features, cross-platform usability, group calling, and more. Lets start.
Cross-Platform Availability
There is no competition here. Skype is available natively everywhere, such as iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Web, and even Linux.
Google Duo comes by default on all Android phones (which is a huge bonus) and is also available on the iOS platform. The company provides Google Duo on the web, but the experience is average at best.
user interface
Launch these applications in order and you will see the main purpose of Skype and Google Duo. Skype takes you to the default home screen of chat threads like a regular instant messaging app.
Google Duo takes a different route. By default, it opens the front camera and suggests the people below. Swipe up to view more contacts and swipe down to send a message, note or picture to a contact (more on that later).
Skype and Google Duo support dark theme. However, Skype is one step ahead as it offers a number of gradient themes for chat threads.
Video call
Let’s talk about Skype first. The app pioneered video calling capabilities and you can see the results in the app. Skype offers tons of features when it comes to video calling.
Tap the video button above from the chat screen and start the video call. You can also tap the profile name and schedule calls with date and time. Skype also supports live translation, which detects the narrator’s language and translates it live to the audience.
The app supports up to 50 simultaneous participants in a group video call. Skype lets you blur the background and even share the screen with others to make it better. Perfect for explaining a topic to attendees.
The company recently introduced the Meet Now feature, which allows you to create a meeting and share the link with others. Attendees don’t even need the Skype app to join the meeting. You can open this link in the browser and join the chat without creating an account.
I like the Click Click feature of Google Duo. It offers a live video preview of the caller before answering the call. During calls, you can use portrait mode, which blurs the rest of the scene behind you. The app also supports low light mode which improves video quality in dark scenarios.
Google Duo is primarily designed for mobile devices. As a result, it only supports up to 12 people during group calls; this is much lower than what Skype offers. Google Duo supports long press function that allows you to quickly video call your contacts.
As for video calling, I found the picture and sound quality of both Skype and Google Duo to be on par.
Features
Skype offers the usual chat functionality, sending files, pictures and more. My favorite function is polls. You can create poll questions with up to four options and send them to the group for members to vote.
The app also comes with OneDrive integration so you can send files using cloud storage. Skype also supports international calling. Using Skype credits, you can make calls from Skype to landline and mobile numbers.
Besides video calls, Google Duo lets you send pictures, write notes, and send video messages to contacts. Swipe down from the home screen and compose a message and send it to up to 32 people at once.
I like the video recording options. It offers a host of filters and fun elements to record videos. With notes, you can change the background of the note, rotate the text, change its size, and more.
The biggest advantage of Google Duo over Skype is its integration into the default Phone and Contacts app on Android. Users can search directly using the dialer app. It makes the whole experience seamless with regular calls on Android.
Make Video Calls on the Go
As you can see from the comparison above, Skype and Google Duo are solid apps for creating video calls. Skype is better when it comes to features, chat, and cross-platform usability. Google Duo kicks it out of the park with its ease of use, great integration with Android, video recording and Knock Knock.
Next: Zoom is another popular video calling tool for making video calls. Read the Google Duo comparison below to find the perfect app for you.
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