May 5, 2025 — a landmark date in the history of digital communications: Microsoft has officially ended support and completely shut down Skype — one of the most famous and popular online communication platforms that served the world for over two decades.

↑ The End of an Era

Skype launched in 2003 and quickly gained popularity thanks to its free video calls, voice calls, and messaging services available worldwide. At the time, this was a revolutionary solution, especially given the high costs of international calls and limited access to online communication tools.

The platform went through several important stages — from being acquired by eBay in 2005 to coming under Microsoft's wing in 2011. In 2013, Microsoft began integrating Skype into its ecosystem, gradually replacing the old MSN Messenger. By that time, Skype had become synonymous with video calls, used for both personal and business purposes.

↑ Reasons for Shutdown

Despite its iconic status, Skype failed to maintain its leadership position amid growing competition. In recent years, more flexible and modern solutions — Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and others — have dominated the market. Especially during the 2020s pandemic, when the importance of online communications grew, Skype proved less convenient, fast, and stable compared to its competitors.

Microsoft gradually began phasing out Skype support and focused on developing Teams — a platform initially aimed at the corporate sector but later widely adopted for everyday communication.

↑ What's Next?

As of May 5, 2025, Skype is officially unavailable: all servers have been shut down, applications have stopped working, and users have received appropriate notifications. Microsoft encourages users to switch to Microsoft Teams or use other company products such as Windows Chat and Outlook for personal and business correspondence.

↑ Skype's Legacy

Despite its shutdown, Skype's contribution to the development of digital communication cannot be overstated. It was the first mass-market tool that made video calls accessible to everyone. Skype ushered in a new era of communication, broke down geographical barriers, and became an important element of internet culture in the 2000s–2010s.

Today we say goodbye to Skype, but remember it with gratitude — as a platform that changed the way we talk, see, and hear each other through our screens.