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After more than two decades of virtually connecting the world, Skype has officially been switched off. The once-groundbreaking video and voice call service, launched in 2003, was retired by Microsoft today on May 5, 2025.
At its peak, Skype was a household name. It revolutionised online communication, offering free international video and audio calls through simple VoIP technology. No need for fancy kit – you just need an internet connection, a download, and you’re good to chat from Casablanca to Canberra.
How did it get its start?
Created by a Swedish-Danish-Estonian team, Skype was first tested by a group of 20 users before its official release in August 2003. It caught fire immediately with over 10,000 downloads on day one. By 2007, it had racked up 400 million users. Microsoft took note and bought it in 2011 for $8.5 billion.
Skype was so dominant it became a verb. But while it opened the floodgates for global digital chat, it couldn’t keep up when mobile messaging took over. Apple rolled out FaceTime, WhatsApp added voice and video calls, and Zoom exploded during the COVID lockdown. Meanwhile, Microsoft quietly shifted its focus to a new darling: Teams.
Why was it shut down now?
Microsoft officially announced Skype’s retirement in February 2025. The aim is to streamline communication tools and push users toward Teams, which now serves over 320 million people. Microsoft stopped selling Skype credits earlier this year, and today, the app was finally laid to rest.
The move affects both free and paid Skype users, but not Skype for Business – for now.
What happens to user accounts?
Your Skype login still works – but only on Microsoft Teams. Users can access their chat histories and contacts there. If you don’t want to switch, you’ve got until January 2026 to export your data. After that, it’s gone for good.
Any alternatives?
Plenty. Zoom and Google Meet are the most prominent, but there are also WhatsApp, FaceTime, Telegram, Viber – take your pick.
Farewell, Skype. You won’t be missed by everyone, but you will be remembered.
