Skype shuts down today: Microsoft pulls the plug 14 years after $8.5B acquisition — Here are the best alternatives

In February, we reported that Skype would be shutting down in May. Now, it’s official—Microsoft is pulling the plug on the video-calling pioneer today, May 5, 2025. That ends a 23-year run for one of the earliest apps that made long-distance communication free and easy.

Microsoft, which bought Skype for $8.5 billion back in 2011, confirmed the shutdown date and is encouraging users to switch to Microsoft Teams—or download their Skype data before calling it a day.

Skype had its moment in the spotlight in the early 2000s. It offered something radical at the time: free voice and video calls over the internet. eBay thought it was the future of e-commerce and snapped it up for $2.6 billion in 2005. That didn’t pan out. After a stint with private investors, Microsoft stepped in with high hopes—and a big check.

But Skype never became the communications backbone Microsoft hoped for. Despite years of bundling with Windows, baking it into Outlook, and layering on new features like Bing Chat, it struggled to stay relevant. The competition was simply too far ahead.

Moving From Skype to Teams

If you’re still using Skype, Microsoft makes it relatively painless to switch to Teams. You can sign in using your Skype credentials, and your contacts and chat history will be ready to go.

Teams brings similar functionality—video calls, messaging, and file sharing—but it’s geared more toward work. It supports video calls with up to 10,000 participants, and it plays nicely with tools like Office 365, OneDrive, SharePoint, Salesforce, and Trello.

How to Migrate From Skype to Microsoft Teams

Want your data? Here’s how to export it

Not planning to switch? You can still keep your data. Here’s the quick path to download your messages, files, and contact info:

• Log in to Skype.

• Click the three-dot menu under your account name.

• Go to Settings → Account & Profile → Your Account.

• You’ll be redirected to Skype’s web portal.

• Choose the type of data you want: contacts, caller IDs, or full chat history.

• Click Submit Request, wait for the export to complete, then download your files.

Skype Alternatives

Skype’s biggest issue wasn’t quality—it was timing. By the time Microsoft figured out what it wanted Skype to be, users had moved on.

During the pandemic, Zoom exploded. WhatsApp became the go-to for casual chats. Slack changed how teams communicate. Even Teams, Microsoft’s own product, ended up stealing the spotlight.

Here are a few top alternatives depending on how you communicate:

• Zoom: Great for work and personal calls. The free plan supports up to 100 people, and it’s known for reliability and easy screen sharing.

• Microsoft Teams: Already in your workflow if you use Microsoft products. Free version includes group meetings for up to 100 people and 60-minute limits.

• Google Meet: No downloads needed. Runs in your browser and works well with Gmail and Google Calendar.

• Discord: Originally built for gamers, now used by all kinds of communities. Voice, video, text—all free and organized into channels.

• WhatsApp: For those who want something mobile-first. Video and voice for up to 32 people, no extra setup needed.

• Signal: If privacy is a top concern, Signal keeps your calls encrypted end-to-end. Clean interface and no fluff.

• Telegram: Another privacy-focused app with strong performance. Supports large group chats and streaming.

• Slack: Ideal for team messaging. One-on-one video is free, but you’ll need to pay to unlock more features like group calls.

Each one brings something different. Zoom and Teams are built for professional setups. WhatsApp and Discord lean social. Signal and Telegram are your best bet if privacy tops your list.

After two decades, Skype’s end marks the close of an era. But with so many new ways to stay connected, it’s more of a handoff than a loss.

Not Gone Just Yet

Skype isn’t disappearing overnight. A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed it will remain available for those who still use it. But with Teams getting all the attention, it’s clear where things are headed.

Jaan Tallinn, one of Skype’s founding engineers, still uses it as his default. “If people want to use some other channel, then I’m happy to comply,” he said.

Microsoft may not call it a failure, but it’s hard to look at Skype’s journey and see anything else. The app that changed online communication is now being phased out, replaced by something Microsoft built after the fact.