End of an Era: Skype Shuts Down After 21 Years

Microsoft Corporation has officially announced the retirement of Skype, marking the end of over two decades of digital communication history. Starting Monday, Skype users are encouraged to transition to Microsoft Teams, where they can log in for free using their existing credentials, with messages and contacts syncing automatically.

The Rise and Fall of a Digital Communication Giant

Launched in 2003, Skype quickly became a global icon for video calling and online communication, capturing a 40% share of the international call market by 2014. Despite its early success, Skype's outdated architecture could not keep pace with the evolution of cloud-native and mobile-first technologies.

Microsoft's Strategic Acquisition and the Shift to Teams

In May 2011, Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion, a move aimed at bolstering its presence in both consumer and enterprise communication. However, as of May 5, 2025, Skype has been completely shut down, making way for the more scalable and modern Microsoft Teams platform.