After more than two decades as a prominent figure in the realm of video and messaging, Microsoft has officially brought the curtain down on Skype. The tech giant had previously signaled this transition on February 28th, encouraging its user base to migrate their contacts and conversations to Microsoft Teams. In a recent post on X, Skype itself acknowledged the end of an era for the platform that had connected individuals across the globe for nearly 22 years. Assuring users with existing credit or subscriptions, Skype clarified that these would remain accessible through Microsoft Teams Free, accessible via a provided link. Users have a window until January 2026 to complete their transition and migrate their data before it is permanently removed, a move Microsoft states is in line with its objective of simplifying its suite of communication tools.
The company also confirmed that new customers will no longer be able to purchase Skype credits or calling subscriptions.
Launched in August 2003 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, Skype rapidly garnered worldwide acclaim for its offering of free voice and video calls. By 2005, its user base had swelled to over 54 million registered individuals, leading to its acquisition by eBay for $2.6 billion. Subsequently, in 2009, eBay divested a majority stake to an investor consortium spearheaded by Silver Lake.
Microsoft then acquired Skype in 2011, integrating it into its broader ecosystem. However, in the face of increasing competition from platforms like Zoom, WhatsApp, and Microsoft's own burgeoning Teams, Skype gradually saw its prominence wane.
