Before Zoom calls became the norm, before WhatsApp voice notes, and way before Google Hangouts tried to stay relevant, there was Skype. And after more than two decades of helping the world connect, Skype is officially shutting down today.
The OG of internet calling
Launched back in 2003 by Skype Technologies in Luxembourg, Skype was a pioneer in internet calling. Using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), it allowed people to talk face-to-face across the globe—for free. At a time when international calls cost a bomb, Skype made long-distance communication easy and cheap. The phrase “Skype me” even entered pop culture.
It was a massive hit. By 2008, Skype had over 400 million registered users. eBay spotted the hype and bought it in 2005 for $2.5 billion, only to sell it later. In 2011, Microsoft scooped it up for a whopping $8.5 billion.
What went wrong?
Despite its massive potential, Skype slowly lost its edge. Microsoft tried integrating it across Windows, smartphones, and even Xbox, with big dreams of a billion daily users. But frequent redesigns and clunky updates made the app bloated and frustrating to use.
Meanwhile, rivals like WhatsApp, FaceTime, Messenger, and Signal entered the game with smoother, simpler alternatives. On the business side, Slack and even Microsoft’s own Teams offered better workplace tools. Slowly but surely, users jumped ship.
The pandemic that could’ve saved it
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced the entire world online. If there was ever a perfect moment for Skype to shine, this was it. But instead, it flopped. Zoom became the go-to for video calls thanks to its no-fuss interface. Skype, bogged down by its own bugs and outdated design, missed the bus.
Microsoft noticed. It shifted focus and investment to Teams, which quickly became the preferred choice for schools, offices, and enterprises. Skype, meanwhile, faded into the background.
Why it’s being shut down
The final decision to shut Skype down comes as Microsoft doubles down on Teams. Skype for Business will stick around for now, but it’s essentially part of the Teams suite already.
From a peak of 150 million monthly users in 2011, Skype dwindled to just 23 million in 2025. A far cry from its glory days, and even farther from the 400 million registrations it once boasted.
And just like that, the app that taught us how to make video calls across the world signs off for the last time.
