A Legacy of Video Conferencing: How Skype Revolutionized the Way We Communicate

Microsoft’s iconic video conferencing app, Skype, has officially ceased operations after 20 years in service. The company has been clear about its intention to discontinue Skype, citing a need to focus on its successor, Microsoft Teams.

Skype was launched in 2003 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, two entrepreneurs who had previously co-founded the file-sharing service Kazaa. The app was initially available as a peer-to-peer service, allowing users to make voice and video calls over the internet. In 2005, Skype was acquired by eBay for $2.6 billion, but was later sold to Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion.

Under Microsoft’s ownership, Skype continued to evolve and expand its features. The app introduced group video calling, screen sharing, and other collaboration tools that made it a popular choice for businesses and individuals alike. At its peak in the mid-2010s, Skype had over 300 million monthly users, making it one of the most widely used video conferencing platforms in the world.

However, the app’s popularity declined in the following years, with user numbers dropping to around 36 million. Users complained about Skype’s user-friendliness compared to rival services like FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom. Microsoft cited the need to “streamline our free consumer communications offerings” and adapt to customer needs as the reason for shutting down Skype.

Microsoft’s President of Collaborative Apps and Platforms, Jeff Teper, stated, “Skype has been an integral part of shaping modern communications and supporting countless meaningful moments, and we are honored to have been part of the journey.” The company is offering assistance to users in transitioning from Skype to Teams, its modern communications and collaboration hub.

Skype’s shutdown marks the end of an era for the video conferencing app, but its legacy will live on in the form of Microsoft Teams. As the technology landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Microsoft Teams and other video conferencing platforms adapt to meet the changing needs of users.

The shutdown of Skype took effect on May 5, 2025, bringing an end to 22 years of service. Despite its decline in popularity, Skype played a significant role in shaping the way we communicate and collaborate today.