Skype is Shutting Down - Best New Platforms for Video Calls

After 23 years of connecting people globally, Skype, the popular video-calling service, is shutting down. Microsoft, the service’s parent company, confirmed that Skype officially close on May 5, 2025.

Skype users now have two main options: migrate to Microsoft Teams or download their Skype data before switching to a new platform. This guide outlines how to transition to Teams or download Skype data and provides a list of top alternatives to Skype.

How to Migrate from Skype to Microsoft Teams

Skype users can sign in to Teams for free using their Skype credentials. Once logged in, all contacts and chat history will automatically transfer to the Teams app.

While Skype was designed for smaller, casual group calls (up to 20 participants), Teams is business-oriented and supports up to 10,000 participants in a single call. It also offers enhanced security features and integrations with apps like Evernote, OneDrive, Office 365, Salesforce, and Trello.

Teams is available on Android, iOS, Mac, PC, and the web.

How to Export Skype Data

If you choose not to switch to Teams, we recommend exporting your Skype data. This ensures you retain valuable information such as messages, files, and contact details for future access.

Here’s how to export your data:

Open Skype and log in.
Click the three horizontal dots next to your account name in the top-left corner.
Navigate to Settings > Account & Profile > Your Account.
Once redirected to Skype’s web portal, select either Export contacts (.csv), Export Caller ID numbers (.csv), or Export files and chat history.
After selecting “Export files and chat history,” click Submit Request and follow the prompts.
Once the export is complete, click Download.

Best Skype Alternatives

If you’re looking for a new video-calling platform, here are some top alternatives:

Google Meet

Google Meet is free for anyone with a Google account, making it easy for most users to transition. It allows meetings with up to 100 participants, recording capabilities, and screen sharing. The free plan limits meetings to 60 minutes with more than three participants.

For large organizations, Google Workspace offers additional features such as breakout rooms, livestreaming, and AI-powered note-taking. Prices for Workspace plans start at $7/month.

Zoom

Zoom remains a popular choice for video conferencing, supporting up to 100 participants and features like notes, whiteboards, and screen sharing. Users can also record meetings and access transcripts. However, the free plan limits meetings to 40 minutes for groups of more than two participants.

Paid plans range from $13/month to $18/month and provide access to AI-powered meeting summaries.

Webex

Webex, owned by Cisco, offers many features similar to Zoom, such as screen sharing, session recording, and a whiteboard. The free plan allows up to 100 attendees with a 40-minute time limit. Paid plans start at $12/month, with options to add up to 1,000 participants and include AI assistants, live polling, and more.

Discord

Originally designed for gamers, Discord can also be used for personal or smaller team meetings, with a limit of 25 participants. The platform supports unlimited meeting lengths, screen sharing, and breakout rooms. Discord offers a free plan, along with paid options priced at $5/month and $10/month.

Slack

Slack isn’t designed for large, scheduled meetings but is great for spontaneous calls. The Huddle feature lets you switch from a chat thread to an audio or video call instantly. On the free plan, Huddles support up to 2 participants, while paid plans (starting at $7/month) allow for up to 50.

Signal

Signal, an encrypted messaging app, also offers group video calls with up to 50 participants. Unlike others, it lets users share call links instead of creating groups. Signal is free to use and is a good option for privacy-conscious users.