Skype, a pioneering video calling app that has connected people worldwide for over two decades, is now officially closed on May 5, 2025. Microsoft, which acquired Skype in 2011, announced earlier this year that users should transition to Microsoft Teams, a free communication platform that offers video calling, messaging, and collaboration tools.
Launched in 2003 by founders Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, Skype was a game-changer, allowing users to make free phone calls over the internet, video chat, and send instant messages. At its peak, it had over 300 million users, making it one of the most popular video conferencing apps. However, its user base has declined in recent years, dropping from 40 million in 2020 to about 36 million in 2023, as competitors like Zoom, WhatsApp, and Slack gained popularity.
Skype changed hands multiple times: eBay bought it for $2.6 billion in 2005, then sold it to a group of investors in 2009, who later sold it to Microsoft. Despite its early success, Skype struggled to keep up with newer, more versatile platforms.
Microsoft is making the transition easier by automatically transferring Skype users’ chats and contacts to Teams. “Skype has played a huge role in shaping how we communicate online, and we’re grateful for its impact,” said Jeff Teper, Microsoft’s president of collaborative apps and platforms, in a blog post.
Total views: 79
