Skype for Business vs. Discord Compared

What is Skype?

This pioneer of IP telephony has been on the market since 2003, and has been part of Microsoft since 2011. Currently, Skype allows "group video chats" with up to 50 participants. Neither software nor registration is strictly necessary for this. Conferences can be set up via a link generated on the web. However, the app version of Skype offers an extended range of functions. In addition to chat, recording, and subtitles, practical features are added, such as the ability to share your own screen or a blur feature for the participants' backgrounds. According to Skype, the integrated translator currently allows conversations to be simultaneously translated into eleven languages, and supports more than 60 languages in text form in the chat. Since the summer of 2021, the business version of Skype has been discontinued. Since then, there has been a link from the page to Microsoft Teams.

What is Discord?

Discord describes its system as the easiest way to communicate via voice, video, and text. The instant messenger focuses particularly on computer gamers, but is increasingly used outside of this area. Discord offers, among other things, theme-based channels where you can work with others, share content, or just chat. There are also voice channels, streaming options, and much more. The company of the same name was founded in 2015 and today, according to its own statements, has over 100 million active users per month, 13.5 million active servers per week, and four billion minutes of server conversations per day. Discord is free and is currently aimed more at consumers than businesses. Anyone who needs more features and storage space for their own Discord server can subscribe to Discord Nitro for $9.99 per month or for $99.99 per year.

How do I install Discord?

You can download Discord from the Discord website for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Afterward, you can simply install it with a few clicks. The service also offers iOS and Android apps for voice, video, and text communication in the respective app stores, which you can install as usual with other apps.

All other important information about downloading the software can be found on our Discord download page

How do I use Discord?

In addition to a browser-based version, Discord offers both a desktop and a mobile app. After registering with the service, you can choose to open your own Discord server or join existing Discord servers. To do this, simply click on the plus button at the bottom end of the left sidebar. Alternatively, you can also search for servers using the search function or open invitation links directly in your browser.

What are Discord Bots and how do I use them?

Discord Bots are automated programs that you can use to send notifications, play music for server members, retrieve data, or plan events. There are many free Discord Bots like MEE6 or Groovy, which you can add to your Discord with one click. However, Discord also provides a developer interface if you want to create your own Discord Bot. You can program Discord Bots, for example, with Python3. We have compiled the best Discord Bots for you in one article.

How secure is Discord?

Discord collects user data on its own servers, which means that it is never disclosed. However, unlike services like Zoom or Webex, the tool does not offer the possibility to encrypt video or audio calls end-to-end. Depending on the company's security standards, the use of Discord in a business context can therefore lead to problems.