Difference Between Viber and Skype
Viber vs Skype
With the claim of being the Skype killer, Viber certainly has high goals. But does it really do what it says? Let’s see what the Viber does better than Skype and vice versa. Â To start with, Viber is an iPhone app; you can’t get it if you are using an Android, Blackberry, Windows, or Symbian phone. Although it works with other Apple products, it works best with the iPhone. Skype was initially for computers but has since made its way to most mobile phones in the market today; even on the iPhone. As long as your contact is logged into Skype, regardless of what platform, you can still make free calls. Skype is also able to function as an instant messaging client. This allows users to chat or send messages to each other just like with ordinary text messaging. Viber lacks this capability, although they claim that it is already in the works. They would do well to add this feature ASAP given the popularity of instant messaging especially among younger users.
The biggest advantage to Viber is its high level of integration with the iPhone. It automatically syncs with your contacts and marks those you can call on Viber with little icons. It also runs silently in the background so it does not interfere with the phone’s other uses until someone calls you on Viber. Skype sort-of sticks out like a sore thumb since it lacks the things stated above. You still need to fire-up Skype and login before you can even begin receiving calls; unlike Viber which is automatically launched and logs right in with your mobile number once you turn your phone on.
The biggest advantage of Skype is the ability to make calls even when the person you are calling is not a subscriber or is just offline. Viber emulates this by routing the call though the iPhone’s phone app. So if you are inside a building with WiFi but no cell coverage, you can still call anyone on Skype for a minimum fee but you are limited to Viber users on Viber. This is advantage is magnified even more when you are calling someone who is not in the same country. Skype provides VoIP routing with very low rates to 40 countries around the world. Viber will still go through traditional channels and the user would be subject to high international toll fees.
So is Viber the Skype killer that they claim to be? If most of the people you call use iPhones and are always online, then Viber is suited for you. For all other cases, Skype still holds the upper hand. There is no denying that Viber is an excellent software. But it has a long way to go to claim the throne of Skype.
Summary:
- Viber is currently for the iPhone only while Skype is on almost every platform
- Viber cannot do instant messaging while Skype can
- Viber has better integration than Skype
- Viber is locked to the mobile number while Skype is not
- Viber can’t make calls to non-users while Skype can
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Hello,
This is a member of the Viber Development Team! 🙂
Thank you for your review of Viber. we are very happy that so many people worldwide are interested in our application.
I’d like to point out that Viber is still a young application. most of the features that are missing in Viber today are planned either in the near future, or slightly further future.
For example – Viber will soon be available also on other devices, and not only iPhone. the next one is Android, and it will happen in March. Viber will also allow to send Text Messages very soon (February).
If you have any question about Viber – please feel free to ask.
Thanks!
the Viber Team.
I am a new user of Viber. I like using it better than Skype. Thanks for your development!
You are very welcome, and we are glad to hear you’re enjoying it.
Many more updates and new features to come. Follow us on Facebook for the latest updates
you ahve mentioned some new application for Febraury/march.Is it year 2013 or 2014?
Which version are you referring to?
We released Viber for Blackberry with voice on April 2013, and we’ve just released Viber Desktop.
Hi! Dear,
I am a researcher ,Presently doing research on various services available over the phone Like Instant Messaging , VOIP , Music , Photo Sharing ,Push Mail,Video etc.
Can you pls share the updated comparison matrix of Viber with other leading players.
I am going to france. Can i call to canada without those recipients having your software?
Ron papa
@ronald papa –
Unfortunately not. Viber provides its free service (calls + texts) only between users who have Viber installed.
i always using viber but why my viber cannot call to iphone’s user? i juz can called to android’s user. my phone is android 4.0.3.. can help me to solve it??
There might be a problem with the specific iPhone user you are trying to call.
Please try to make Viber calls to other iPhone users, and see if the problem occurs with all of them.
would you please inform me of viber speed rate and 100mb/s serves of 7 hours talking with viber
There’s a great ebook report that details the data usage (and other phone resources) of the Skype and Viber mobile apps. Search on Amazon Kindle for ‘Skype vs Viber: are VOIP mobile apps viable alternatives to cellular calls?’
can i c my friend by using viber?
can i c images while im talking on the phone?
If you’re referring to video calling, then it’s not available in Viber.
We are considering it for the future 🙂
I have been given a suggestion to use Viber to my sweetheart in Cartagena, Colombia. Is it easy and how much would it cost me or her (or both?). Would you advise that we use both Skype, too.
Thank You,
Gary M
What I found very strange when I loaded the Viber app on my iPad I was given a 6 digit code which was send to an android device ( as it happens I do have an android phone,
When I loaded the app on my iPad I was asked to enter a six digit code which was sent to an android device (luckily I have an android phone.
Amazing cant wait for the Updates from Viber!
What about video call. I am using Skype and used to have video call from singapore to France, for free using skype. Any similar feature with Viber ?
Matt
Video calls is a future plan of ours but we don’t have exact dates yet.
For now our emphasis is on adding smaller features, bug fixes, and support for new devices (Android, Blackberry and even PC).
When Video Calls option becomes relevant we will announce it.
Thank you for the (Viber) app.
I think that people of other os mobile telephone ( like Symbian) are waiting for it ,and the other important thing is enable Viber users to call other mobiles for cheap rates and not to direct them to use their official carrier
thank you again- five stars to your application
@Taisir
Thank you for the kind compliments! 🙂
Viber is planned for other platforms, some of which are in final stages of development.
Viber for Blackberry, Viber for Symbian, Viber for Windows Phone (still far though), and even Viber for Desktop!
I recommend you to follow us on Facebook to get the latest updates and know when those versions are released.
It’s a very good app indeed, it integrates very well in Android/iOS
I just want to know what data you collect for example when someone logs in automatically and how could he/she delete it from your servers
The process must be transparent for users
Thank you
I hope to see it on the Desktop too 🙂
Hi @theodore –
This is an official rep. of Viber.
We are always happy to address user concerns and doubts 🙂
First, it is important to be accurate – we only collect names and phone numbers, nothing else. Naturally, we collect users’ information not because we are curious of its content, but for functional reasons, and in order for us to enable the service we, as a company, promise to provide. Without that information, Viber cannot function. This is not different from any other major social network/communication service provider in our world nowadays.
I would like to clarify: we *do not* sell users’ information to third-parties, and we keep this information well locked in our servers, with extremely limited access to it
As per your question, deactivating your account will instantly delete all of the info from our servers, so the power is in the user’s hands.
About Dekstop – it’s certainly on our list, so stay tuned for updates 😉
Best regards,
the Viber Team
thank you for your reply
I think you will have more users/customers and they will love you and respect you if you stay open to them and also stay in touch with them (as you do now)
It’s our pleasure (and duty) to reach out to our users and remove any doubt from using our app 🙂
If you ever have any other questions, always feel free to contact us.
i hawe a problem using viber is not showing diller optione on my nokia x6
@besnik –
Viber for Nokia x6 does not have the calling option unfortunately 🙁
Hi
what speed should i have on broadband for viper to work
When i call someone they can hear me very good but i cant hear them at all
Thank you
Eamonn
@Eamonn –
Viber uses about 0.25MB per minute of call.
The problem you are describing may have a different reason to it.
1. Does this problem occur with all the Viber contacts you tried to call, or just with one contact?
2. It could be that the network you are connected to is blocking Viber’s traffic.
First, please try uninstalling and reinstalling Viber when connecting to a few different WiFi networks (in order to pinpoint the source of the problem). What are the results?
Also, please make sure the following ports are enabled on your routers or firewalls:
TCP: 5242 + 4244
UDP: 5243 + 9785
(if you are not sure how to enable ports, you may contact your router manufacturer)
Is there already a Viper for PC?
@Reagan –
Not yet. Viber for PC is something we are considering to develop in the future, and once we have news on that we will publish it officially in our Facebook and Twitter pages 🙂
Hi thanks for the usefull apps.
Ive got Viper installed to my Android smartphone. My qyestion is, what about if im offline with internet, will my viper contact still be able to call my number using viper freecall?
@Jebronx –
Viber requires both sides of the conversation to be online in order to work.
If you are called or texted when you are offline, you will see a Missed Call notification, or the text message that was pending on our server, when you go back online 🙂
Hi viber, I was wondering, if uninstall and reinstall viber, will that delete all my messages?
@bacidash –
Yes,
Uninstalling and deactivating Viber causes messages, Recents list, etc. to be erased.
However, note that in Viber’s new versions we added the option of export message history. This allows you to export your chat history onto a file (however not to import it back to Viber).
I was also wondering about this as well. If I delete Viber from my iphone without deactivating my Viber acc., will my messages be deleted/gone with the app? I’m too afraid to uninstall because my messages might be deleted as well.
@Josh –
Unfortunately, yes. Viber messages are deleted upon both uninstallation and deactivation. Messages cannot be restored since we (Viber) don’t keep record of our users’ chat history.
However, Viber now provides the option of exporting message history (though not import it back).
Hello Viber
Pls if you can clarify more about the uninstalling process
What I exactly want to know ..
1 . Will the sent masseges will be disappeared from friends ‘s viber accounts or only will be deleted from the server ?
2. To what degree is viber SMS exchanging is safe and do you have high data encryption standards as Skybe does ?
Awaiting you reply
regds Mary
Hi Mary,
1. When a message has been sent from you, then it’s already at your friend’s Viber Message History. After you uninstall, those messages remain with them.
In general, Viber messages are never saved on our servers (they are stored in our servers ONLY when they are pending to be delivered, and then automatically get deleted).
2. Yes, Viber encrypts all its messaging traffic, so you can feel safe using Viber 🙂
Viber thanks my dear actually the clarification no.2 just relieved me
Heheee … 🙂 🙂 🙂
Have a nice day
sure Viber is a great app And so easy going …
It’s our pleasure (and duty) to assist!
Enjoy Viber 🙂
Hi!,
i m using Samsung S-7562, with ICS 4.0.4. When i down load viber and try installing, viber does not connect , and display shows as if it is trying to connect. I have a good internet (DSL) connection and is working fine with other apps. Viber worked fine with my earlier phone – Samsung Galaxy S.
Pl. can you inform why am i not able to connect and enjoy calling through viber please?
Regards / Venkatesh
Hi there,
Please note that Viber does not officially support your device yet, and that may be the reason for the problems you are experiencing. Here is the full list of officially supported devices: http://bit.ly/Hm5k9p
We are continuously working to adapt Viber to more and more devices, and we hope to attend to the problems with your device soon. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Hi
Just wanna say..this app made my life easier, i livein Hong Kong and almost everybody here is using it whether its android or iphone..but ive only 1question ..
Is it possible to delete the recent calls one by one on an iphone??If so, how??
@Fred –
We’re happy to hear you’re enjoying our app 🙂
Deleting a single call from the Recents list is unfortunately not yet possible.
We invite you to enter our Feature Request page and post your suggestion there, or join an existing similar suggestion. The more people join on a request, the faster it will become reality 🙂
You can find it here: http://helpme.viber.com/index.php/Knowledgebase/Article/View/43/9/have-an-idea-for-a-new-feature
Check out great technical review of bandwidth (data) usage of Skype vs Viber when not on wifi (search Skype vs Viber on Amazon). Includes comparison of battery, RAM and CPU usage.
What a great app you do have and mostly i am wowed by this kind of customer services and during installation you even had to call me to sort the installation problem. Kudos to you Viber. I understand you are young( but seeing your features continues woing me) hence i have few contacts on viber. Unfortunately i had to delete to make space for my phone as viber only uses RAM memory since i wasnt using it. Since i have told all my people to install viber so that we can enjoy this wonderful app. Cheers to Vibers future
Thank you for your kind words and compliments – we are thrilled to hear this.
We have a new version coming, stay tuned 🙂
Best regards.
Dear Friend,
i am new user of viber application but so far loving it, i have one issue how can make viber notification silent on my Blackbery 9360 curve?
hi
pls reply how to make viber silent while using on Blackbery curve 9360?
@Ali –
Hi,
Viber utilizes your device’s main volume settings. So when you set your device to be silent or on vibration, Viber should act the same.
greetings!
i just wanna ask why i can’t add my friend to my contacts? my friend has already installed viber on his phone but still we can’t add each other. thank you. 🙂
Hi @mhaia –
Adding a contact to Viber is done automatically, after adding that contact to your phone’s main addressbook.
If Viber doesn’t recognize that contact as a Viber user, then the source of this issue could greatly vary. Please read this short page in our HelpDesk, outlining some possible workarounds that will help reboot synchronization of the contact list: http://bit.ly/rRtPqk
(The instructions refer to iPhone, but are relevant to all phones nevertheless).
Hi, I’m going to London, and Gremany I understand
I must have wifi to call or text for free.
If I am on wifi and call a Viber user in the states
That is not on wifi will they be charged? And if
So how much? Thank you!
Hi Christine,
Using Viber on WiFi is always free. You shouldn’t worry 🙂
Best regards,
the Viber Team.
thats nice . but i didnt joined to it yet. and i hope to get calls via viber & i want to know more information to how to use this application.
@ope –
All the information you need about how to use the app can be found in our homepage: http://www.viber.com
hi viber I just want to say how brilliant your team is , I just love using viber I have recommended it already and got people on it . I just wish I had installed it when it first got launched it is much better than Skype. thank you all . plus your so friendly xx
Hi @Chezza –
You warmed our hearts with your kind words and compliments 🙂
We are thrilled to hear you’re enjoying our app. We are planning to release major new updates very soon, with cool new features, so stay tuned 😉
Best regards,
the Viber Team.
Hi..Viber,
This model have supported viber application?
Samsung Galaxy S Duos GT-S7562 (4 GB, WiFi 3G, White)
Thanks,
@renz –
Hi,
Unfortunately it is not officially supported (though you may still try and install it from Playstore).
You can find the full list of officially supported devices here: http://helpme.viber.com/Knowledgebase/Article/View/45/10/is-your-android-supported-with-viber-system-requirements
Can you tell me roughly how much data will be used for a video call from my samsung s3 mobile to the (viber desktop or viber phone)?
Both Audio and Video Calls?
Can you tell me roughly how much data will be used for a video call from my samsung s3 mobile to the (viber desktop or viber phone)?
Both Audio and Video Calls?
Read more: Difference Between Viber and Skype | Difference Between | Viber vs Skype http://www.differencebetween.net/technology/internet/difference-between-viber-and-skype/#ixzz2YcaLVgRW
Hi @Archana –
Viber uses about 0.25-0.3 MB per minute of call.
First of all, well done to those who work on viber to develop it! Actually I love viber simply because its free but I want to ask about something that I couldn’t understand it well!!!
so my question is that how can I be offline while the wifi is connect and works, and also if I can be invisible to some contacts on my viber list or not?? And my last question is .. Can I make the viber to ring while I’m talking with someone on the viber also , I mean when my viber busy and someone wants to call me so can I do anything to don’t let him to see me that I’m busy on viber????
Hi Helen,
– You may use the “exit” Viber through Viber’s “More” tab. This will close Viber completely. However, Viber will remain available for calls and texts, and this cannot be turned off completely.
– It is unfortunately not yet to become ‘invisible’ to a specific contact. We will consider adding this feature in the future.
– Unfortunately, this feature is not available yet. We will consider adding it in future versions.
Meanwhile, we invite you to enter our Feature Request page and post your suggestion there, or join an existing similar suggestion. Unfortunately it is not possible for us to integrate every suggested feature into Viber, but the more people join on a request, the faster it will become reality 🙂
You can find it here: http://viber.kayako.com/Knowledgebase/Article/View/43/0/have-an-idea-for-a-new-feature
You really should have a date on the articles, so that readers know when this was published. This article for example is totally outdated, but I only noticed when I saw that the first comment was given in 2011. For a comparison of software like this, 3 years is a LOT of time.
hi there I got a text and a phone call from yourselves text at 01:44am and call at 03:44am both with an activation code text just said from viber your code is ****. close this message and enter the code into viber to activate your account. the call just said enter your code **** into viber to activate your account 1 problem I have not downloaded or purchased anything from your website so why am I getting these
my ram is 256, which app will be good for me ??? please help …..
Skype basically sucks. When it is working it’s great but that said: it generally falls offline easily. I will take the slightly less quality / clarity any day over Skype. Also skype’s got some serous issues when it comes to integration and ease of use…it’s out forget and yet along comes the cute purple viber thangy thang and boom! This s**t is integrated right out of the gates.
2 main differences:
1/ in the sensitivity to a quality of broadband – skype is somewhat better, viber calles have more volatile quality
2/skype pushing you to the latest versions by incongruent language: if there is a new skype version, instead of ”you must upgrad’ ‘you suddenly find out that ”skype could not connect ” wtf? – an awfull political correctness/puzzling indirectness in language. [this also may mean byebye to skype on a PC with e.g. less than 1GB RAM] Byebye
Viber sucks on international calls. Everything is jumbled!
What I hate about both Skype and Viber is their recent policy change demanding a mobile phone number prior to completing the update the the software.
We are the consumers of the product — they need us as much if not more than we need them.
Let’s ask ourselves as to what’s at stake bye providing a cell/mobile phone number?
It allows them to police our every move.
Technically, they could try to send us fraudulent bills and report us to debt collectors now that they have my mobile number.
Of course the people who use these services to generate SPAM or become Internet trolls (abusers of strangers) have tremendously helped both Viber / Skype to justify demanding my mobile number for so-called security reasons.
Truth be known, both Skype and Viber do not give a sh1t about our personal security or our psychological well-being!
They want to bombard us with unnecessary advertising and to try to send fraudulent bills once they have justified a means and a way of doing so.
I steadfastly refuse to provide a mobile phone number to both: Skype and Viber as I use a Google Voice Number and I still connect with emails…!
Thanks so much for Super VIBER connecting me with my daughter in Australia. Otherwise it was Facebook or Skype. Worse still extortionate prices from phone networks.
Thanks again greatful fiber user
Thanks so much for Super VIBER connecting me with my daughter in Australia. Otherwise it was Facebook or Skype. Worse still extortionate prices from phone networks.
Thanks again greatful viber user
Both Viber and Skype are quality voice and video calls software’s. But I would still vote for Skype b/c it has superior voice quality as compared to Viber. However, recently, I have discovered another very good alternative: R-HUB`s web conferencing servers and it beats both Skype and Viber.