It’s official: Skype is dead. Microsoft has announced that Skype will officially retire on May 5, 2025, marking the end of the once-dominant video-calling platform. The company is suggesting that users transition to Microsoft Teams Free, which will replace Skype as a primary communication tool. Skype has struggled to maintain relevance in the face of competition from apps like Zoom, WhatsApp, and FaceTime. Starting this month, Skype users will be able to log into Microsoft Teams Free using their existing Skype credentials. Microsoft has assured users that their contacts and message history will be migrated automatically. Users will have the choice about whether they want to migrate conversation history elsewhere by exporting data. Users who join Teams Free will experience a seamless transition. While Teams Free will offer many of Skype's core features — including messaging and video calls — Microsoft is discontinuing Skype's paid calling services. Users who currently have Skype Credits or subscriptions will be able to use them in Microsoft Teams until the end of their next renewal period. However, the option to call traditional phone numbers will no longer be available to new customers. For users who don't want to switch to Microsoft Teams, several alternatives exist:
- Zoom—A widely used video conferencing tool, especially for business and professional meetings.
- WhatsApp—Offers free voice and video calls with end-to-end encryption.
- Google Meet—A strong alternative with seamless integration with Gmail and Google Calendar.
- Discord—Popular among gaming communities but also useful for general group calls and chats.
- Signal—A privacy-focused messaging app with encrypted video calling.
