Skype closes on May 5: 5 things users need to know and the best option to try
Microsoft Skype is retiring services and today is its last day at work. But if there is no Skype, what? Here is a list of the best options that you can try.
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On February 28, 2025, Microsoft announced that it is retired services for the OG video-cooling platform Skype. After serving the notice period from February to May, today is the last working day of Skype. The company said that Skype would no longer start from May 5. In defense, Microsoft says that this step is to promote teams. The official blog post states, “To streamline our free consumer communication offerings so that we can adapt more easily to the needs of customers, we will retire Skype to focus on Microsoft Teams (Free), our modern communication and cooperation hub in May 2025.”
Skype to close today: 5 things you should know
– Today is the last day of Skype, as declared by Microsoft. It is part of the company’s strategy that it as a central platform for both personal and collaborative interactions to streamline its communication services and focus on Microsoft teams. With the decision to strengthen your offerings, Microsoft aims to create an integrated and modern communication hub.
– After the announcement, Microsoft has also discontinued the sale of paid Skype services for new users including Skype credit and calling plan.
– However, existing customers can continue using their services until the end of their current billing cycle, and any remaining credit will still be accessible even after the platform is closed. Additionally, the paid users will maintain access to the Skype dial pad, either through the Skype web portal or directly through the Microsoft teams. But once it is finished, you have to redeem the Skype.
– To ensure a smooth handover, Microsoft gave users to migrate in teams from February to May 2025. During this time, support and resources will be provided to help in the transition process.
– Going from Skype to teams will be straight, which will require users to log in with their existing Skype credentials. Contact, chat and call history will be automatically transferred. Microsoft notes that teams include all core Skype features, including additional enrichment such as calendar integration and community equipment.
Skype option
When we talk about Skype options, of course, its brother -in -law comes to the mind of Microsoft teams. However, if you do not want to continue with Microsoft, here are some of the best options:
Google meeting: A clear advantage of Google Meat is that it is free to use with a standard Google account. Given the widespread use of Google services, most users already have an account, which makes the platform simple and convenient to adopt. The Google meeting supports video calls with recording between 100 participants, screen sharing and other characteristics. However, a limit to the free plan is that meetings with more than three participants are taken away in 60 minutes.
With paid membership, Google Meet hosts large meetings, and hosts other advanced Gemini AI features. In India, membership for premium facilities starts at Rs 160 per month for business starter pack.
Zoom: Another widely used platform for web conferencing, zoom is known for its array of practical features. This allows 100 participants per session and supports both public and private chat options. Users can collaborate by using screen sharing, a virtual whiteboard and note -taking tasks, and they also have the option to record meetings and see the written tape later.
He said, the free version applies a 40 -minute range to meetings, which can be restrictive. To organize long sessions without any interruption, users have to upgrade to a payment plan, which starts from Rs 1,147 per month. People of a membership plan can also reach the AI partner of the zoom, which provides a meeting summary and enables users to query information from transcription.
Lazy: Slack is not necessarily the best option for hosting large, pre-established meetings, but it is excellent when this team talks of quick, impromptu catch-up within the team conversations. Its bodle feature allows team members to switch directly from messaging within a channel or chat. For those using free version, Huddles are limited to just two participants. However, upgrading to a payment plan – starting from Rs 246 per month – the group opens the door for the group boddles with 50 participants.
