Skype Is Hanging Up For Good. Here's What Will Replace It

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.



The pioneering Internet calling service burst onto the scene in 2003, conceived by Scandinavian entrepreneurs Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis.

It quickly became a game-changer for online communication.

With free voice calls between computers and low-cost rates for landlines and mobiles, it set the standard for digital connectivity long before the smartphone era took off.

"Starting in May 2025, Skype will no longer be available," read a post from Skype Support on X.

However, the expected synergies never materialised, and a few years later, Microsoft stepped in, purchasing Skype in 2011.

At the time, the move seemed strategic, integrating Skype's video and voice services into Microsoft’s ecosystem. 

But despite a strong start, the rise of mobile-first communication apps such as WhatsApp, Zoom, and even Microsoft's own Teams gradually eroded Skype’s dominance.

Microsoft 365 collaborative apps and platforms president Jeff Teper said his team has learned a lot from Skype.

"We’ve learned a lot from Skype... but we felt like now is the time," he said, adding that the company believes Teams offers a more streamlined and innovative experience for today's users.

For those worried about losing their Skype group chats, Microsoft assures they will transition to Teams, with a 60-day interoperability period allowing users to message between the platforms.

However, Skype’s once-crucial telephony features — including calls to landlines and mobiles — will be discontinued, as Microsoft sees them as outdated in an era of affordable mobile data plans.