Microsoft to Shut Down Skype After Over Two Decades of Service

The tech giant will discontinue the once-popular video calling platform in May 2025, encouraging users to transition to Microsoft Teams.

Skype, launched in 2003, was a pioneer in offering free internet-based voice and video calls, revolutionizing global communication.
Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion but struggled to maintain its dominance in the competitive communication market.
The rise of rivals like Zoom, WhatsApp, and Microsoft’s own Teams platform contributed to Skype's declining user base, now down to 30 million monthly users.
Microsoft Teams, introduced in 2017, has become a leading collaboration tool, particularly in business settings, and is positioned as Skype's successor.
Skype users will be able to migrate their chats and contacts to Microsoft Teams for free in the coming days, ahead of Skype’s discontinuation in May.