After more than 20 years of connecting people across the globe, Skype has officially shut down. As of May 5, 2025, Microsoft has retired the once-iconic video calling platform and is now urging users to make the switch to Microsoft Teams.
A Look Back at Skype’s Journey
Skype wasn’t just another app — it was a game-changer. Launched in 2003 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, Skype introduced millions to the idea that you could make phone and video calls for free over the internet. It was one of the very first apps to offer video chatting long before Zoom or WhatsApp were household names.
By the early 2010s, Skype was everywhere. Whether you were catching up with friends abroad or conducting a job interview, Skype was the go-to tool. At its peak, it had over 300 million active users worldwide.
Ownership Changes and Microsoft’s Role
Skype’s success caught the attention of major tech players. In 2005, eBay bought it for $2.6 billion. A few years later, a group of investors took control before selling it to Microsoft in 2011. Microsoft integrated Skype into its services — from Windows and Xbox to Outlook — making it part of everyday communication for many.
Why Did Skype Shut Down?
In short: competition and changing times.
Over the years, Skype struggled to keep up with new, faster, and more user-friendly platforms. Apps like Zoom, WhatsApp, Slack, and even Google Meet offered simpler interfaces, better mobile support, and easier access during the remote work boom.
While Skype had around 40 million users at the start of 2020, its audience dropped to 36 million by 2023, even as video calling became more essential than ever.
Microsoft eventually chose to focus on Microsoft Teams, its newer communication and collaboration app. Teams now offers most of Skype’s features — and more — and users can easily migrate their chats and contacts from Skype.
Farewell, Skype
There’s no denying Skype’s place in tech history. It helped shape the way we connect in a digital world. It brought families closer, allowed for long-distance love stories, enabled remote work, and even played a role in international business deals.
Now, as the blue “S” logo fades from our devices, we’re left with a sense of nostalgia. The ringtone. The quirky call interface. The joy of seeing a familiar face after months apart.
