Skylights are a lot more stylish than solar tubes, a factor that most people definitely consider. However, solar tubes provide more light; the light transmitted from solar tubes is around 99%, while the light transmitted from the skylights is around 36%. This is because of the dome installed outside your home that captures light with greater efficiency. Besides efficiency, solar tubes are also easier to install, and the cost of installation for solar tubes is a lot lower than skylights. If looks aren't your primary consideration, installing a solar tube makes much more sense.