Once the go-to video conferencing platform for many users, Skype is now just a relic of how we used to connect. The Microsoft-owned software retired on May 5, 2025. And let’s be honest, the news about Skype shutting down felt more like a confirmation than a surprise to many around the world. 

In this guide, I’ll dive deep into the changes and what they mean for millions of Skype users. 

Microsoft Skype Shutting Down: Is Microsoft Eliminating Skype?

• Yes, Microsoft is permanently eliminating Skype: On May 5, 2025, Microsoft officially retired Skype as part of its long-term plan to consolidate communication tools under the Microsoft Teams brand.  
• Microsoft has laid out three clear paths for former Skype users: They can use Skype Dial Pad, Migrate to Microsoft Teams Free, or find a better Skype alternative.
• Zoom is the best Skype alternative. It has good video and audio, is easy to use, and can support up to 100 people on the free plan.

When is Skype Shutting Down?

Skype officially shut down on May 5, 2025, marking the end of the service’s availability for many users. Microsoft made this hard decision in a bid to move its users to its business-oriented and integrated platform, Microsoft Teams, which is designed for collaboration, chat, and video calls. 

While Skype’s official services will retire, users with active Skype subscriptions will have some time to transition and use features like the Skype Dial Pad for calls.

Here is what you need to know more about the shutdown:

• Skype’s shutdown impacts all users globally, including Skype for Business users. However, Skype for Business Online users were migrated to Microsoft Teams to maintain their services.
• After Skype shut down, these services are no longer available: video calling, messaging, Skype voicemail, and screen-sharing.
• The 60 minutes of Skype calls feature will also be removed from Microsoft 365 Personal and Microsoft 365 Family subscriptions starting March 2026. 

With Skype officially shutting down, users now face three clear options: First, continue using the Skype Dial Pad to exhaust any remaining credits and subscriptions. Second, migrate to Microsoft Teams Free, the platform Microsoft recommends as Skype’s natural successor. Third, explore and switch to a more reliable Skype alternative that better suits their communication needs. 

In the sections below, I will guide you through each of these options, how to access them, what they offer, and what you can expect next.

Option 1: Use Skype Dial Pad

According to Microsoft, users with active subscriptions or Skype Credit can continue making calls to landlines and mobile numbers using the Skype Dial Pad, even after Skype’s shutdown on May 5, 2025. This limited functionality ensures that users have time to use any remaining credits before fully transitioning to Microsoft Teams Free or another platform. 

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to access and use the Skype Dial:

1. Log into the Skype Dial Pad. Find the dial pad on the web at calling.web.skype.com or by logging into Microsoft Teams Free.
2. Check your credit balance. If you have an active subscription or Skype Credit, the Dial Pad will open automatically. However, if your credit is inactive or expired, you’ll receive a pop-up prompting you to visit Skype’s My Account page. There, you can reactivate your Skype Credit and resume making calls.
3. Once you are logged in, enter or select a phone number to dial.
4. Select Call.

Option 2: Migrate Contacts and Data to Microsoft Teams Free

With the official retirement of Skype, Microsoft, Skype’s parent company, has positioned Microsoft Teams Free as the natural successor.

Follow the steps below to install Microsoft Teams Free, log in with your Microsoft account, and begin the migration process:

Step 1: Download Microsoft Teams Free.

Visit the official Microsoft Teams download page and choose the version compatible with your device (Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android). Install and launch the app. 

Step 2: Sign in With Your Microsoft Account.

Use the same Microsoft account you used for Skype to sign in. This helps ensure your Skype profile information and contacts are linked automatically where possible.

Step 3: Use Skype Online

Click on the dropdown menu just below your profile picture on the top-right. Click on the use Skype online icon. 

Step 4: Sign-in to Teams

Once you click Use Skype online, you will be prompted to sign in to Teams. This will import all your Skype chats and contacts automatically to Teams. Once done, you will be ready to start messaging and making calls from Teams.

The migration process to Microsoft Teams Free is fairly quick, especially for users who already have a Microsoft account linked to Skype. Once you install the app and log in, your available contact data should sync within minutes. However, the time it takes to manually set up your Teams account, like adding contacts or changing settings can vary depending on how you used Skype.

What migrates to Microsoft Teams Free automatically? 

• Your Microsoft profile (name, profile picture and email)
• Chats 
• Contacts associated with Microsoft accounts

What doesn’t migrate to Microsoft Teams Free?

• Chats between Skype users and Teams work or school accounts
• Skype to Skype for Business chat history
• 1:1 chat history with yourself
• Private conversations from Skype
• Copilot and bot interactions

Is Microsoft Teams Free the Best Skype Alternative? 

Not quite. While Microsoft Teams Free is Microsoft’s official successor to Skype, it doesn’t fully replace Skype’s experience. This is especially true for casual users or those who relied on Skype for affordable internal communication and personal calls. 

Teams Free is a collaboration platform primarily designed for productivity and work environments, not simple calling. 

Here are some of the defunct Skype’s key features you won’t get on Teams Free:

• International calling to mobile and landlines
• Call forwarding and voicemail features
• Support for Skype number
• Seamless guest calling without account signup

Even though businesses were using Skype, it was also a good choice for casual users looking for  casual one-on-one chats or quick international calls. Teams, on the other hand, gives a more corporate feel with its focus on meetings, channels, and workspace integration. 

To access features that feel closer to Skype’s premium offerings, like PSTN calling, advanced meeting tools, or expanded storage, users would need to upgrade to a paid Microsoft Teams plan like Teams Essentials or Microsoft 365 Business plans.

We will introduce the top alternatives to Skype in the next section. 

Option 3: Find Skype Alternatives 

With Skype shutting down, users who relied on it for personal, business, or international communication need a new home. However, not everyone wants to be locked into Microsoft’s ecosystem. If you are looking for Skype alternatives tailored to personal or hybrid use, I’ve listed down five excellent alternatives worth exploring.

1. Zoom  —Best Alternative for High-Quality Meetings

Pros

• Supports 720p HD video for group meetings
• Cross-platform with mobile, web, and desktop apps
• Supports large video calls with up to 100 users free

Con

• Meeting time limit of 40 minutes on the free plan

Zoom is known for its high-quality audio and video calls. The platform supports 720p HD video for group meetings. Also, users on Business or Enterprise plans can have 1080p Full HD video enabled upon request. It also offers background noise suppression and echo cancellation.  These enhancements are particularly beneficial for professional settings where clear video and audio are paramount. 

However, it’s important to know that Zoom’s free plan limits group meetings to 40 minutes. This may be too limiting for users who use Skype for longer sessions, especially as Skype can accommodate calls of up to 24 hours. Additionally, accessing Full HD video requires a paid subscription and must be enabled by Zoom Support.

If these limitations are a concern, you might explore other platforms that offer longer meeting durations or more accessible HD video options. For more alternatives, check out my Zoom alternatives guide.

2. Google Meet  — Best Alternative for Google Ecosystem Users

Pros

• Seamless integration with the Google Workspace apps
• No need to download and install software as it is web-based
• Supports real-time collaboration 

Con

• Group meetings on the free plan are limited to 60 minutes

Google Meet stands out for its seamless integration with Google’s suite of productivity tools. You can join a meeting from Gmail, work on documents in Docs, Sheets, or Slides in real-time, or even schedule a meeting from Google Calendar. The tight integration of Google Meet with other apps streamlines workflows for those within the Google ecosystem. 

However, a notable limitation of Google Meet is its 60-minute cap on group meetings for free users. This limit can make it hard to have longer meetings. Users may have to start meetings again or think about upgrading to a paid plan to gain access to extended sessions For those seeking alternatives without such limitations, exploring other platforms might be beneficial.

For a comprehensive comparison and to discover platforms that might better suit your needs, check out my Google Meet alternatives guide.

3. Webex Meetings— Best Alternative with Enterprise-Grade Security

Pros

• Offers end-to-end encryption
• Supports up to 100 participants on the free plan
• AI-driven features like real-time transcription and noise cancellation

Con

• User interface complexity

Webex, developed by Cisco, is renowned for its enterprise-level security. It offers end-to-end encryption for meetings, ensuring that all communications are secure. Webex’s Zero-Trust E2EE model uses the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol. This lets people create a common encryption key that is not accessible to Webex servers, which makes the data more secure. It also follows industry standards and regulations, such as the GDPR and HIPAA. 

Despite its strengths, Webex can feel overly complex for casual users. The interface isn’t as intuitive as Zoom or Google Meet, and several key features are only available on paid plans. 

If Webex feels too heavy for your use case, you might want to explore my guide to the best free Zoom alternatives.

4. Discord — Best Alternative for Community Building and Management 

Pros

• Offers all the essential features on the free plan
• Video calls for up to 25 users at once
• High-quality voice channels with low latency

Con

• Video quality capped unless you are on paid plans

Discord’s voice and video call capabilities make it one of the strongest Skype alternatives for users who prioritize real-time communication. Built for communities, it’s always-on voice channels create a near-instantaneous way to connect with others. This means there is no need to “start a call” like on Skype. Video calling supports up to 25 users simultaneously, with features like background noise suppression and screen sharing, all accessible on the free tier.

While the standard video quality is decent, it’s capped at 720p for non-paying users. To unlock higher resolution (up to 1080p or 4K), you will need a Discord Nitro subscription. This could be a limiting factor for teams or professionals who require high-definition video. 

If you are interested in learning more about how much a subscription on this platform costs, take a look at my Discord pricing guide.

5.Pumble — Best Alternative with Unlimited Message History

Pros

• Supports text, voice, and video messages
• Supports threaded conversations
• Has channels to organize messages

Con

• Group direct messages limited to 7 participants

Pumble users can engage in one-on-one conversations or engage in group conversations with up to 7 users without creating a channel. This allows for quick and focused conversations. Beyond standard text messaging, Pumble supports voice and video messages, enabling users to convey information more personally and effectively.

The platform also offers a message scheduling feature, allowing users to compose messages and set them to be sent at a later time. This is particularly useful for coordinating teams across different time zones or planning communications in advance. 

However, even though Pumble offers unlimited chat history, it is worth noting that group video calls are only available on paid plans. These can be limiting to teams that hold frequent group meetings and are on a budget. For a comprehensive analysis of Pumble’s features and to determine if it aligns with your team’s needs, refer to my Pumble review.

In Conclusion: With Skype Shutting Down, What’s Next?

There is no need to panic about Skype shutting down. While it was among the pioneers of video and voice calling, technology is always evolving. We now have more reliable, secure, and feature-rich alternatives that outperform Skype in nearly every way, from video and audio quality to collaboration tools and cross-platform functionality.

It doesn’t matter if you are a freelancer that needs quick calls with clients or a team seeking a centralized communication hub. The current video conferencing landscape has tools for every need. You can choose from Zoom, Google Meet, Webex Meetings, Discord or Pumble, depending on your needs. So, while it’s the end of the road for Skype, it’s also the start of better, smarter communication.

FAQs: Skype shutting down