REDMOND, WASHINGTON: Microsoft has announced that it will be ending the iconic Skype service in May 2025, directing users to migrate to its Microsoft Teams platform instead. Once a leader in video calling and voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) services, Skype will officially go dark, marking the end of an era in communication.
Skype was widely popular, so much so that the term “Skype” became synonymous with video calling. But with the rise of newer competitors like FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom, and Slack, Skype has seen its user base dwindle over the years. Microsoft, which acquired Skype for $8.5 billion in 2011, made the decision to phase out the service to focus more on Teams, a collaboration tool used primarily in business and workplace settings.
Skype, founded in 2003 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, was one of the pioneers in video conferencing, and its easy-to-use platform was a game changer. However, it faced challenges over time, including a failed acquisition by eBay in 2005 and a lack of growth in the mobile market. After being sold to Microsoft, Skype continued to struggle with user retention, with its user base shrinking from 40 million in 2020 to 36 million in 2023.
In a blog post, Microsoft explained that the move to shut down Skype would “streamline our free consumer communications offerings” to better meet customer needs. The company urged Skype users to transition to Microsoft Teams, which will now be offered as a free alternative for video calls and collaboration.
This shift is part of a broader trend towards streamlining communication platforms. As Teams continues to gain traction in the business world, Skype’s legacy seems to be fading into history.
