Skype for Business Client Summary

Skype for Business client updates continue to deliver more desktop functionality to mobile users, although capabilities still vary substantially. This chart lists the most important client applications and Web interfaces for Skype for Business Server 2015 and the Microsoft-hosted Skype for Business Online service (part of the Office 365 suite of services). “Full” shows the capabilities of the Skype for Business Windows desktop application that ships in some Office suites and stand-alone, while “Basic” shows the free edition of that application.

The chart summarizes the major Skype for Business feature areas covered by each client. However, each client implements a different subset of Skype for Business features, so organizations will have to consult Microsoft’s extensive client comparison tables for exact capabilities. The chart also lists client licenses that an option requires for full capability, which will generally be either Client Access Licenses (CALs) for Skype for Business Server 2015 or User Subscription Licenses (User SLs) that cover Skype for Business Online.