These days, almost everyone has a Skype account. It has quickly become the default communication method for long-distance calls and video chats as it is free and easy to use. Once you're in the habit of using Skype regularly, though, you start finding other neat things you can do with it. Like, for instance, recording calls.

There are so many great reasons you may have to record a call with Skype. You may be taking language lessons via Skype and want to listen to them again later, you might be recording content for a podcast, maybe you have a lot of business calls via Skype and want to keep a record to make sure you get your tasks done, or perhaps you need to keep records to share with other parties or for posterity.

Whatever you need to record; here's how you do it.

Keep Your Recordings Legal

Make sure your recordings are legal by checking your local laws on voice recordings. In many countries, it is illegal to record someone without permission. So, it is advisable to formally ask for permission to record at the beginning of the call - and to record that acknowledgement.

Skype Auto Recorder (Windows)

For Windows users, Skype Auto Recorder is the best way to go. It's free, open-source software, and it's quite easy to use. As the name says, it's possible to use this program to automatically record your Skype calls. If you prefer to do things manually though, this is also possible. For organisation and privacy of your friends, it is also possible to automatically filter recordings into certain folders, plus you can ensure certain contacts are never recorded when they call. Calls are recorded in .MP3 format and are unlimited in length.

Piezo & Audio Hijack (Mac)

Piezo, the charmingly simple audio recorder by Rogue Amoeba, does exactly what it says on the box. Piezo is extremely easy to use, with one obvious option to choose your preferred source and a big red button to record. It really couldn't get much easier than this. The free program is limited in that recordings over 10 minutes long will have some noise added to the track. However, if you want to purchase a license it's only $15 which stops Piezo adding this noise. When it comes to tactics to get you to pay, Rogue Amoeba are quite kind. Having 10 minutes of clean audio at a time on the free version is far better than what most places offer.

Audio Hijack is Piezo's more powerful sibling, also by Rogue Amoeba. It is far more powerful, a lot less simple and a little more expensive if you buy the paid version ($32). It's worth considering if you actually could use something a little more sophisticated. Again, there is a free version that will add a bit of noise to the track if the recording is more than 10 minutes long.

Audacity Cross-Platform Audio Recording

Audacity is a free cross-platform audio recording program which is much-loved by MakeUseOf staff. We've previously covered the basics of recording with Audacity, tips for recording interviews with Audacity, and producing home music recordings with Audacity. It's very powerful software, yet not as simple as the options listed above.

Total Recorder (Windows)

Total Recorder by High Criteria [Broken URL Removed] is an easy way to record Skype calls in Windows, and costs $17.95 for the standard edition. You can test it for free for as long as you like, but a bit of noise will be inserted every 60 seconds in the resulting recording.

More Programs To Record a Call With Skype

There are a number of great programs to record Skype audio for free, such as these powerful Audacity alternatives: RecordForAll, Wavosaur, Jokosher, Linux Multimedia Studio, Traverso DAW, and Ardour. They are not all as simple as the options we've covered above, but they may be of use to you if you would prefer more control.

You can also check out the Virtual Audio Grabber Device (Windows and Mac), SoundFlower (Mac), VSound (Unix compatibles), and SoundTap Streaming Audio Recorder (Windows and Mac). Some of these are a little more involved, while others are paid programs with a trial version. I'm adding them to the list just in case you aren't happy with the simpler options listed above.

Recording Other Chat Programs

Don't forget that these tools can also be used to record other programs used for voice or video calls, such as Google Hangouts. You're not limited to recording audio from just Skype!

What do you use to record voice or video calls? Why do you record calls?