HipChat provides a couple things that I don't think you can get from Skype: 1. Searchable backlog for all discussions. 2. API for connecting bots (which can b

HipChat provides a couple things that I don't think you can get from Skype: 1. Searchable backlog for all discussions. 2. API for connecting bots (which can be used for C&C). 3. Web-based and native clients. 4. Public and private rooms chat rooms. HipChat is more like IRC than like IM, which, for distributed teams, is often very useful.