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, ensuring a seamless migration of messages and contacts.

The Rise and Fall of a Communication Giant

Since its launch in 2003, Skype revolutionized video calling and online communication, capturing a 40% share of the international call market by 2014. Despite its initial success, Skype's inability to adapt to cloud-native and mobile-first technologies led to its eventual decline.

Microsoft's Strategic Shift

Microsoft's acquisition of Skype in May 2011 for $8.5 billion was a bold move to dominate both consumer and enterprise communication sectors. However, as of May 5, 2025, Microsoft has decided to fully transition to the more scalable Microsoft Teams platform, leaving Skype behind.