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What are the pros and cons of each? Does one use more CPU resources than the other?
Thanks,
Kristie

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This thread raises two practical concerns: measurable resource use and how to pick the right messaging/calling tool today. Expanding on points from , , and , the following gives concrete, reproducible tests and simple controls to compare any IM client or VoIP app.

Measure, compare, repeat.

  • Tools: Task Manager (Processes) for CPU and memory; Resource Monitor (Network tab) for per-process bytes/sec; Process Explorer for deeper process details; perfmon for recorded traces.
  • Test cases: idle (signed in, no activity), text-only chat, 1:1 voice, group voice/video, and file transfer. Record 30–60s averages and peaks for each case and compare.
  • What to watch: sustained CPU percentage, working set (MB), network bytes/sec, and number of open sockets. Capture a baseline with the app closed so the OS baseline is known.

Controls and troubleshooting.

  • Prevent autostart (Startup settings or msconfig on older Windows) so the client runs only when needed.
  • Use the web client for a smaller footprint when available.
  • Turn off video/screen share or disable background updates to reduce CPU/network use.
  • If bandwidth must be limited, use router QoS or outbound rules/firewall and tools (NetLimiter, Windows Firewall rules) to throttle or block specific clients.
  • For detailed traffic analysis, capture a short trace with Resource Monitor or Wireshark; beware of sensitive data in captures.

Context and selection.

  • Many 2009-era IM networks were retired (for example, Windows Live Messenger was discontinued in 2013; AIM and Yahoo Messenger later ended). Current choices should be picked by required features (PSTN calling, group size, platform, encryption). After selecting candidates, run the measurements above to decide which fits the available hardware and network. Check the vendor docs for current privacy/encryption options before deploying.

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Member Avatar for tiger86

If you have read the "fine print" of skype they use some of your bandwidth not just for you to chat on skype but the whole time you have it on they take a small portion of your bandwidth to help the large amount of people on skype chat. I am fine with it I have skype but other people may not be okay with that.

Member Avatar for cakka

Skype is using your RAM resources bigger that IM.
But what the IM that you use ?
Skype is very good for Voice Messenger better than Yahoo Messenger :)

Member Avatar for slurpee55

Rather quick and easy - Skype is a bigger, more capable program but it also uses more resources (the two pretty much go hand in hand).
tiger86 makes a very good point, but if you aren't concerned about it, then it mostly matters what you want to do.
If you IM, you are limited to others with that program (or one of the several that will communicate with several IM programs). With Skype, you can call people not on their computers.

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