An era is coming to an end in the world of technology. Microsoft announced that Skype, once the leader of the video calling market, will officially shut down on May 5, 2025. For more than 20 years, the platform has brought millions of people together around the world and played a major role in shaping modern communication. However, changing user habits and the rise of competing platforms have forced Skype to retire. 

Founded in 2003 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, Skype quickly gained global popularity by offering free voice and video calls over the Internet. Acquired by Microsoft in 2011 with an $8.5 billion investment, the platform looked set to remain the leader in digital communications. However, the rise of mobile-first messaging apps (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger) caused Skype to fall behind. 

In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed Skype's weaknesses. Platforms such as Zoom grew rapidly as remote working became widespread, while Microsoft Teams started to replace Skype with its powerful features that appeal to the business world. By 2023, Skype's daily active users had fallen to just 36 million. At its peak, the platform had more than 500 million registered users.