SIP and Skype: 8 differences

Recently SIP telephony surely become leaders for cheap phone calls over the Internet. How SIP differs from Skype? Why do they compare? Well, at the begiining we define: what is SIP. Overall SIP is an open protocol, or certain rules for the network. To understand how it works, it can be compared with the protocol HTTP - it is open too and it helps to enter to the Internet. For entrance to the Internet, you need to have a browser (client) that supports this protocol (for example, Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc.) Therefore, to make calls over SIP, you need a client or provider, which you can easily find in their own country.

How much does SIP-call cost?

In general, there is no single billing on SIP calls, as there is no single tariff to pay for internet - everything depends from providers. But in general, almost all providers allow  to make calls between different SIP subscribers for free and even on some landlines.

Why does SIP compared with Skype

Skype is very versatile, and SIP is not its complete analogue. Write messages and make video calls by using the various programs, and there are a lot of competitors. The main difference from the Skype that SIP hiding in calls to landlines as between countries as well as within it. The fact that Skype got a great alternative traditional telephone when it is often necessary to call in another country and it turned out very expensive. For example, you have an online store, which works in the CIS space. Your call center via Skype ring up customers and finds them some nuances. Communication is often interrupted, hard to hear, and it's worth all the expensive, though cheaper than a traditional bond. SIP calls here are a lifeline, because: 1. Call quality is much higher. 2. The cost of calls is much lower.

Differences in the SIP and Skype

1. Indoor and outdoor protocol Skype is working with a closed protocol. So no one knows what of data users this program collects and what next it do with them. SIP is an open protocol, and anyone can learn how works that principles. 

  2. The safety and security of personal data Skype users can't be confident in all their conversations, files and correspondence not tracked services Skype. We hope that this is not true, but inspite of the program is closed - no one knows about it. Through SIP conversation definitely not bugged, because we know how it works and that's why we can confidently declare it.   

3. Work through the supernodes and Virtual PBX Skype works through supernodes and the fun is they are ordinary computers users. For example your computer also may be supernodes, and you can noticed  it only if you clearly monitor Internet traffic statistics. It should grow strongly and makr speed internet lower. SIP works via a virtual PBX. Therefore, the connection get much better quality. 

  4. Round the clock technical support. Skype does not offer this option to their customers. SIP operators provide full support and ready to help at any time. 

  5. Call emergency services. Skype can not be used for such purpose. SIP-connection allows users to make free calls to emergency services. Now that you know the differences between these two programs and will be able to choose to suit your needs the most optimal. 

  6. Hardware and software Because Skype uses a closed protocol, the use of any device is very problematic. Of course, there are special Skype phones that produced with this purpose, but actually there is only few items. There are Edge-core, NetComm, SMC Networks, Linksys, Belkin However, this model are very expensive, because for the same money you can buy quite an advanced smartphone with a lot more functionality. With SIP-phones much easier. The fact that the SIP supports RFC 3621, which is open to the developers. As a result, the device is constantly being improved and cheaper. You can purchase Terratel SIP / E1 gateways, IP PBX hardware (VoIP PBX), Wi-Fi SIP-phones. 

  7. Home and business use. Skype is more suitable for home use for making video calls between friends and relatives. When Skype use for corporate purposes, it is as usual like ICQ. SIP calls on the contrary, more and more used by corporate users. SIP connection is easy to connect to miniATS, which is supported by many devices (ATCOM IP-04, Asterisk Appliance, AGATE UX) and software (Asterisk, AsteriskNow, TrixBox, 3CX, Microsoft OCS) IP PBX. Offices  can integrate SIP telephony with CRM system, Call-center and many other systems. Use Skype for office is very difficult: it is necessary to constantly been enabled computer, it is very difficult to send a fax, requires expensive equipment and thus no one can guarantee the safety connection. 

  8. Codecs and traffic If you do not have unlimited internet, the intensity of the traffic will mean in fact the price of final services. For SIP it's best to use codec G.723.1, but they are not supported by all devices. For example, if you buy cheap ustroysto, it is unlikely to maintain this standard. SIP / E1 gateway from the company Terratel supports these codecs that allows you to send it with the highest quality. You can also use the standard G.729 (which also supports Terratel SIP / E1 Gateway). With Skype much easier. For economy of the traffic developers are not thought, and decided to bet on voice quality. To transfer the sound it uses a codec iLBC.

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