Skype to Shut Down in May: A Guide to Alternative Video Calling Platforms

After 23 years of service, Skype is officially shutting down on May 5, 2025, according to its parent company, Microsoft. Users are encouraged to migrate their contacts and data to Microsoft Teams or download their Skype data for use with another service. For those not transitioning to Teams, exporting data is highly recommended to preserve messages, files, and contact details. Instructions are provided for exporting data via Skype’s web portal, including options to export contacts, Caller ID numbers, and chat history. Several alternative video-calling platforms are available, each with its own features and pricing. Google Meet offers free access with a Google account, supporting up to 100 participants, but limits meetings to 60 minutes for more than three participants on the free plan. Paid Google Workspace plans offer expanded features and AI-powered tools. Zoom is another popular option, offering similar features but also a 40-minute time limit on the free plan. Webex, owned by Cisco, mirrors its competitors with screen sharing and recording capabilities, also imposing a 40-minute limit on free plans. Discord, originally for gamers, is suitable for personal use or smaller teams, offering unlimited meeting lengths but capping calls at 25 participants. Slack’s Huddle feature facilitates spontaneous meetings within teams, with limitations on participant numbers depending on the plan. Signal, an encrypted messaging app, supports up to 50 participants and offers free use. Other mobile-friendly options include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Apple FaceTime.