There was a time when saying "Let's Skype" was as common as asking for a call. But fast forward to 2025, and Skype feels more like a forgotten relic in a drawer full of newer, shinier tools.
Microsoft, which bought Skype back in 2011 for a hefty $8.5 billion, is quietly pulling the curtains on the platform that once promised to redefine online communication.
Launched in 2003, Skype rode the early wave of internet calling and video chats, becoming a household name long before remote work or virtual classrooms were everyday realities.
At its peak, Skype claimed over 400 million registered users and was hailed as the future of global communication. Microsoft saw potential in this and integrated Skype into nearly everything—Windows, Xbox, smartphones—hoping it would connect a billion users worldwide.
But that vision never quite materialised.
The fall wasn’t sudden, but more like a long, awkward stumble. Frequent redesigns made the app feel unfamiliar, even clunky. Updates became heavier, performance grew patchier, and loyal users slowly trickled away. Then came the pandemic—a golden opportunity for online meeting apps to shine.
And shine they did, just not Skype.
Zoom, Slack, Webex, Discord—platforms that were faster, sleeker, and more focused—quickly grabbed the spotlight. While others innovated, Skype somehow stood still. Or worse, moved in confusing directions.
By 2025, Skype’s active monthly user base had slumped to just 23 million. That’s a steep drop from the 150 million reported in 2011. For a service that once carried the weight of Microsoft’s communication ambitions, those numbers tell their own story.
Now, with the end seemingly near, Skype users have been advised to download their data—chats, files, the whole lot—before the lights go out. The process is simple: log in at Skype’s export page, choose what to keep, submit the request, and wait for a download link.
But the big question remains: is this the end of Skype altogether, or just the end of its relevance?
Microsoft hasn’t made a dramatic announcement. No big farewell tour, no grand closing ceremony. Just a gentle nudge to pack your bags and take your memories with you.
