Skype shuts down: The end of an era after 20 years 🫡

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There was a time when Skype was king. The video conferencing tool that revolutionized online communication is about to bow out. Microsoft plans to shut down Skype in May 2025, after more than two decades of loyal service. A discreet announcement, hidden in the code of a Windows test version, but no surprise to anyone. The end had been written for a long time.

From revolution to decline ⏳

Flashback to 2003: Skype arrives and changes everything. At a time when international calls were expensive, this Swedish software introduced free internet calls. A small revolution that propelled it to the top. It attracted millions of users, and in 2011, Microsoft acquired it for $8.5 billion. A masterstroke? Not really.

Over the years, competition grew. WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and even Zoom overtook it. Even during the pandemic, when demand for communication tools soared, Skype missed the boom. While Zoom and Teams thrived, Skype lagged, unable to compete with more modern and seamless solutions.

Teams, Microsoft’s true favorite 🏆

Launched in 2017, Microsoft Teams quickly gained traction, first in the business world, then among the general public. Its adoption skyrocketed during the pandemic: from 13 million users in 2019, it soared to 145 million in 2021 and reached 320 million by late 2024. A meteoric success that left little room for Skype.

Meanwhile, Skype struggled. Its revenue dropped below 200 million euros in 2022, and its daily active users fell below 36 million in 2023. Faced with outdated technology and an aging interface, Microsoft made its choice: bet everything on Teams and leave Skype behind.

An inevitable end 🏁

Microsoft has yet to make an official announcement, but the clues are clear: Skype will be discontinued in May 2025. A quiet farewell to a pioneer that shaped digital history. Ironically, it was Microsoft itself that sealed its fate by prioritizing Teams.

So, are you nostalgic for Skype, or have you already moved on?