Skype Is Discontinued: Essential Updates and Alternative Options

Used for individual and business purposes to connect people for over two decades, Skype is being discontinued. On February 28, 2025, Skype’s owner, Microsoft, announced that the messaging service would be retired.

With more than one billion downloads on the Google Play Store alone, millions of people have used Skype software to make free voice and video calls, send messages, share files, and more across multiple devices.

Connecting families, friends, and loved ones, the announcement came as a surprise to many. But fear not. This guide on the essential updates and alternative options available will assist you in enjoying a smooth transition. Let’s begin.

Skype: Past, Present, and Future

Founded in 2003 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, Skype was one of the first successful uses of Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP). In 2011, Microsoft purchased it in an impressive $8.5 billion cash deal.

However, the February 28, 2025, announcement made on the Microsoft blog by Jeff Teper (President of Collaborative Apps and Platforms) signals the end of an era in personal and business communication.

But as an alternative, Microsoft has indicated that it will offer a replacement via Microsoft Teams.

When will Skype be discontinued? Teper gave the date of May 5, 2025, as the cut-off time frame. He also indicated that users would be supported during the transition period.

And for those looking for the reasons as to why Skype is shutting down, the answer lies in Microsoft aiming to offer a better customer experience through a more unified platform.

6 Skype Alternatives to Consider

If you are looking for alternatives to Microsoft Teams as a result of Skype shutting down, the following list of apps is worth considering.

1. Chatox

Consumers looking for a chat app for private communication after the Skype shutdown can turn to Chatox. It is completely free, doesn’t contain ads, and is jam-packed with tons of features. Available across multiple devices simultaneously, this app enables you to:

• Send and receive text chats and make voice and video chats with uninterrupted audio
• Browse your chat history and check a user’s status
• Chat with several people in one window through a tabbed chat and create chat spaces with contacts
• Send peer-to-peer (P2P) file transfers of unlimited size with antivirus scanning included
• Share and view others’ screens or send screenshots to share information
• Brainstorm with contacts on a Whiteboard and co-browse the internet with selected contacts

2. Brosix

Since 2006, Brosix has emerged as a significant competitor to Skype, offering both home and enterprise instant messaging solutions. Available on mobile, desktop, and web, Brosix comes with a powerful Control Center. It enables you to manage virtually every aspect of communication.

Through voice chats plus text and video chats, users can chat seamlessly and safely via end-to-end encryption. Other ways in which Brosix can help include:

• Browsing chat histories
• Sharing geolocations
• Sending unlimited-size P2P file transfers
• Collaboration features (Whiteboard, screen sharing, screenshots, etc.)
• Manage chat groups and chat rooms in terms of visibility of contacts
• Send broadcast messages
• Set up parameters for who can chat with whom, etc.

3. WhatsApp

During the process of Skype closing, you may also consider WhatsApp as a consumer communication alternative. With a history on the market spanning more than 20 years (founded in 2009), WhatsApp provides end-to-end encryption as part of its communication offering. However, some safety concerns have been noted with this application, which you can find out more about in this WhatsApp review.

With WhatsApp, users can:

• Send voice, text, and video messages
• Make voice or video calls
• Create groups for family members or friends to stay in touch and up to date
• Send GIFs, videos, photos, etc.

4. Viber

Another popular Skype alternative is Viber, which emerged on the global market in 2010. Originally established in Israel, the company’s headquarters are now in Luxembourg. At the outset, the app offered free voice calls. Today, however, it offers text, audio, and video chats in addition to voice and video calls.

Supporting cross-platform communication, Viber’s main mission is to empower users to communicate seamlessly, irrespective of device or operating system. Its commitment to user security and data privacy has earned it a place among the top Skype contenders. Acquired by Rakuten in 2014, Viber is available in more than 190 countries and supports 44+ languages.

Its key features and functionalities include:

• Messaging and group chats (including public chats)
• Free audio and video calls to Viber users
• Deleting messages, hiding seen status, or blocking users on the platform
• Choosing disappearing messages or hiding chats
• Location sharing and smart notifications, including turning off notifications
• Accessing the conversations gallery
• Sending stickers and sharing multimedia files
• Transferring calls between devices
• Encrypted communication

Interested in learning more? Take a look at this detailed Viber review.

5. Telegram

Founded in the UK in 2013, Telegram app use has grown dramatically. In the first six months after launch, the app grew from 100,000 to 15 million daily active users. This is an alternative to consider after the Skype retiring because it allows users to:

• Exchange messages
• Share media and files
• Hold private and group voice or video calls
• Create public livestreams, etc.

Available for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and web browsers, this messenger platform offers end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls and private chats.

6. Signal

Signal is another Skype alternative worth mentioning. Launched in 2014, it was developed as a successor to the RedPhone voice calling app and the TextSecure texting program, both of which were encrypted.

Today, the open-source software is used in many modern messaging apps, Skype included. Additionally, the popularity of this application reached over 70 million active users in 2024, while it has been downloaded around 220 million times to date. Wondering why? It’s possibly because the app offers:

• Disappearing messages
• Message requests
• Group chats
• Video calls
• Archived chats
• Customizable chat themes
• The option to delete for everyone
• Backup options
• Privacy features, etc.

Stay informed and learn more about the key differences between Signal vs Telegram, or read this Signal review for an in-depth analysis.

Conclusion

As mentioned earlier, Skype’s retirement signals the end of an era. Although Microsoft is offering its Teams product as an alternative, there are other options on the market to consider.

When making a decision, focus on privacy, security, and end-to-end encryption. Other aspects to consider include a rich array of features to facilitate smooth communication.

While the choice is entirely yours, be sure to select an app that directly meets your unique needs.