Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued) vs. VirtualPBX

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
Score 8.6 out of 10
N/A
Skype for Business was an online messaging and conferencing tool, now superseded by Microsoft Teams.N/A
VirtualPBX
Score 10.0 out of 10
N/A
VirtualPBX is a VoIP solution that in addition to VoIP offers analog, smartphone, WebRTC, SIP Trunking & native calling options. It can also be used as a virtual contact center or virtual office solution.
$18
per month per user
Pricing
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)VirtualPBX
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Flex
$18
per month per user
Pro
$27
per month per user
Ultra
$36
per month per user
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)VirtualPBX
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptional
Additional DetailsDiscount available for annual pricing.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)VirtualPBX
Features
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)VirtualPBX
Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software
Comparison of Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software features of Product A and Product B
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
8.0
Ratings
1% above category average
VirtualPBX
-
Ratings
High quality audio9.10 Ratings00 Ratings
High quality video9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Low bandwidth requirements5.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Mobile support9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Screen Sharing
Comparison of Screen Sharing features of Product A and Product B
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
7.0
Ratings
12% below category average
VirtualPBX
-
Ratings
Desktop sharing9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Whiteboards5.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Online Meetings / Events
Comparison of Online Meetings / Events features of Product A and Product B
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
9.3
Ratings
12% above category average
VirtualPBX
-
Ratings
Calendar integration10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Meeting initiation9.50 Ratings00 Ratings
Integrates with social media8.10 Ratings00 Ratings
Record meetings / events9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Slideshows10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Online Events Collaboration
Comparison of Online Events Collaboration features of Product A and Product B
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
7.5
Ratings
9% below category average
VirtualPBX
-
Ratings
Live chat8.50 Ratings00 Ratings
Audience polling7.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Q&A7.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Online Events Security
Comparison of Online Events Security features of Product A and Product B
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
6.9
Ratings
16% below category average
VirtualPBX
-
Ratings
User authentication9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Participant roles & permissions8.50 Ratings00 Ratings
Confidential attendee list3.00 Ratings00 Ratings
VoIP system collaboration
Comparison of VoIP system collaboration features of Product A and Product B
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
7.8
Ratings
1% below category average
VirtualPBX
9.8
Ratings
21% above category average
Video conferencing7.00 Ratings10.00 Ratings
Audio conferencing8.00 Ratings10.00 Ratings
Video screen sharing8.00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Instant messaging8.00 Ratings10.00 Ratings
Cloud PBX
Comparison of Cloud PBX features of Product A and Product B
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
-
Ratings
VirtualPBX
9.4
Ratings
17% above category average
Hosted PBX00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Multi-level Interactive Voice Response (IVR)00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
User templates00 Ratings10.00 Ratings
Call reports00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Directory of employee names00 Ratings10.00 Ratings
Call Management
Comparison of Call Management features of Product A and Product B
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
-
Ratings
VirtualPBX
9.4
Ratings
12% above category average
Answering rules00 Ratings10.00 Ratings
Call recording00 Ratings10.00 Ratings
Call park00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Call screening00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Message alerts00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Mobile apps
Comparison of Mobile apps features of Product A and Product B
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
-
Ratings
VirtualPBX
9.0
Ratings
13% above category average
Mobile app for iOS00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Mobile app for Android00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)VirtualPBX
Small Businesses
Intermedia AnyMeeting Pro
Intermedia AnyMeeting Pro
Score 7.1 out of 10
CloudTalk
CloudTalk
Score 7.2 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
JioMeet
JioMeet
Score 10.0 out of 10
CloudTalk
CloudTalk
Score 7.2 out of 10
Enterprises
Webex Meetings
Webex Meetings
Score 8.4 out of 10
Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Call Manager)
Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Call Manager)
Score 8.7 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)VirtualPBX
Likelihood to Recommend
8.4
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.0
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.5
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
7.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)VirtualPBX
Likelihood to Recommend
Skype is useful for collaborations across distances, including work from home, as well as a more convenient way to communicate with a large group of people. Skype is also useful to communicate with specific parties quickly, rather than relying on cellular service in areas where not as available. Skype is less useful if the team does not use computers , tablets, smartphones, etc in daily workflow as it would rarely be used.
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We consider that it is a very complete internet call software that is worth having in all companies that want to increase their sales through customer service agents because, with all its tools, agents improve their workday by day.
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Pros
  • Group Chat option allows multiple people to have a conversation away from the main presentation
  • Integration with Microsoft Office allows easy usage of excel, PowerPoint and other MS programs
  • Easy calendar integration for Microsoft Outlook
  • Mobile interface is very easy and intuitive
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  • Provides real-time analytics and reports that show agent performance during a call, email, or chat, analyzing conversations and indicating where to improve.
  • All call recording features are very easy to access and configure such as regular call recordings and scheduled recordings for specific customers.
  • As it is a cloud-based software with mobile access, we can use it outside the office without any problems, just with the phone and internet connection.
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Cons
  • Probably the biggest area is the video element as it has historically struggled in this area.
  • The need to be forced to federate with another organisation by providing yours and enabling the other organisation settings is a bit tedious but once done, allows for simple collaboration between third-parties.
  • Functionality wise, as it's an older product and being superseded by MS Teams, it feels as if it's run its course but was very good for what it does/did at the time.
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  • Possibly a better way of covering the one zillion features and functions in classes
  • Possibly a better way of covering the one zillion features and functions in classes
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Likelihood to Renew
I honestly feel that with most people using iPhone nowadays, it's easy to just call or use FaceTime if you need to be in touch with a client. Unless you need to have a conference call, there are plenty of ways to get in touch with a client otherwise besides using a somewhat inefficient program.
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Once it works and has retain ROI.....keep it going
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Usability
Very easy to use. Even though Microsoft Teams has a lot of features and integrations, as a user I feel completely comfortable on finding what I need, getting information about the app extensions and using them. It's a very comprehensive tool, intuitive design and does not make me feel tired to be using it. I am glad with the current experience.
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So much easier than our old PBX or any on-prem PBX I have ever used. We were up and running in an hour. Tweaking the caller menus is so easy.
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Support Rating
I have only had to reach out to the Support team at Skype for Business once with an issue, and I was pleasantly surprised and encouraged by the quickness and thoroughness of their response. The wait time was short and my question was dealt with politely and clearly, so I would say the support team has it together.
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No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
Skpe for business is utilized company wide in regards to my company. Everyone not only uses it, but uses it often. It is an effective way of communicating. It also integrates very nicely with outlook and all conversation history is pushed to a folder within the outlook system. We also have it so that if someone misses a message, they are sent an email reminder saying that there is a message that went unread.
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No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams is just better for us since we were already a Microsoft productivity suite (Office) user. No additional cost when we went from traditional product license model to SaaS. Continuous integration and upgrades with MS 365 make it even easier to use and therefore stickier.
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We started with the irugubak VirtualPBX around the year 2000. We were extremely satisfied with that and now can't say more about the newly updated version. As for other system,I did not feel it was at all necessary to investigate given our extreme satisfaction with this vendor
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Return on Investment
  • In the move to WFH for the over 90000 employees of the firm in 13 different timezones, Skype for [Business], as the primary communication tool has been the most critical factor in ensuring there's not a communication breakdown.
  • An average of 7 calls a day and around 50-60 text messages are sent via Skype for [Business]. These communications are critical for [the] continued delivery of our services.
  • Video/voice calling and screen sharing features of Skype have played a great role in simulating a shared workspace scenario in the virtual mode as best as possible.
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  • Professional appearance to customers
  • Simple solution for voice conferencing
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ScreenShots