After 23 years of connection of people all over the world, Skype, the popular call-Call service, is closing. Microsoft, the parent company, confirmed that the official date of the sunset for the service is Monday 5 May 2025.
Skype users can migrate all their contacts and chat data to Microsoft Teams, or they can choose to download their Skype data and switch to another Calling service.
To help Switch users, we created a guide on how to migrate to teams or download Skype data. In addition, we have edited a list of alternative video call apps that can replace Skype.
How to go from Skype to Microsoft Teams
Skype users can access the teams for free using their Skype credentials. Once you have access, all their chats and contacts will automatically move to the app.
Teams offer Skype functionality, including individual and group calls, messaging and file sharing. While Skype has been designed mainly for smaller groups (up to 20 participants) and random use, the teams are more focused on business, houses up to 10,000 participants in a single video call. It is also provided with advanced safety features and various additions, such as Evernote, OneDrive, Office 365, Salesforce, SharePoint, Trello and more.
Teams is available on Android, iOS, Mac, PC and web.
How to export Skype data
For users who are not interested in moving on to Microsoft teams, it is still recommended to export account data. This guarantees that precious information – such as messages, files and contact details – are backups and are accessible in the future.
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- Open Skype and access.
- Click on the three horizontal points under the name of the account in the upper left corner.
- Go to Settings > Account and profile > Your account.
- After being redirected to the Skype web portal, you choose both Export contacts (.csv), Export caller ID numbers (.csv)OR Export Files and Chat Chronology.
- The “Export Files and Chat Ham” option allows users to download Conversations AND File.
- Click Sending request AND Continue.
- At the end of the export process, click Download.
Here are the best Skype alternatives
Google Meet
An obvious advantage of the use of Google Meet is that it is available for free with a Google account. Since many people are already using Google and have existing accounts, the transition to this platform would be quite easy.
Google Meet allows users to keep meetings with a maximum of 100 participants, record meetings, sharing screens and more. A disadvantage with the free plan is that if a meeting has more than three participants, there is a 60 -minute time limit.
Large companies may want to buy a Google Worksphace plan for functionality such as having a maximum of 25 co-conductors, divide participants into smaller breakout rooms during meetings, create polls, create a session of questions and answers, live on YouTube and more. The work area-which has plans for $ 7/month, $ 14/month, $ 22 per month and also on-offs the tools fueled by artificial intelligence through its assistant Gemini, which helps to satisfy users to take notes and create personalized background images.
Zoom
Zoom is another popular Web Conferencing tool. It offers different useful features, including the possibility of hosting up to 100 participants and chatting both in private and public groups and has tools such as notes, blackboard and screen sharing features. Users can also record meetings and access transcriptions.
However, a negative aspect is the 40 -minute time limit for meeting for users on the free level. To avoid stopping meetings, users will have to buy a subscription, ranging from $ 13/month to $ 18/month. Fixed subscribers have access to the partner AI of Zoom, which includes the possibility of summarizing meetings and asking questions on the transcribed meetings.
Webex
Webex, the video conference tool owned by Cisco, offers a plan similar to its competitors. For example, it has features such as screen sharing, the possibility of recording sessions, a blackboard capacity and more.
The free plan includes up to 100 participants per meeting, as well as an unfortunate time of 40 minutes. Webex also offers $ 12/month, $ 22/month and beyond plans depending on the size of the team. The paid levels are equipped with an artificial intelligence assistant, live surveys, questions and answers and ability to add up to 1,000 participants.
Discord
Discord has initially been designed as a chat platform for players, but it can also serve as an alternative to Skype for personal use or smaller teams. However, it is not recommended for larger companies, as it limits calls to 25 participants.
On the positive side, Discord offers lengths and unlimited meetings such as screen sharing, the possibility of recording meetings and break -up rooms. The platform has a free plan as well as two paid options at the price of $ 5/month and $ 10/month, making it one of the most convenient choices available, depending on the needs of users.
Slow
Although Slack may not be ideal for formally scheduled meetings with large groups, it can be effective for spontaneous meetings within team chats. The Huddle in Slack function allows users to easily switch from a chat thread to an informal or video call audio with colleagues. On the free level, Huddles can accommodate only two people, while the paid plans (at the price of $ 7/month or $ 12/month) allow up to 50.
Signal
Signal, the encrypted messaging app has provided group callling functionality since 2020 and can accommodate up to 50 participants in a single call.
Although it is not a competitor aimed at Skype, it allows users to share connections for calls, allowing them to simply send the link to others rather than creating a group, just as Google Meet, Zoom and Microsoft Teams do. In particular, the signal is free to use.
Other similar apps for mobile users looking for video calls with smaller groups include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Apple FaceTime.
