Skype’s retirement on May 5, 2025, marks the end of an era!
I have not used it extensively, but it left us. And I feel a sudden void.
Skype was one of the first video messaging apps I had dived into — and one that made video calls fluid before it was cool.
I also remember using Skype for around 6 hours, to study for my Psychology exam with a classmate on the night before exam. Guess what I got? An A!
I am sure many of you remember the sound of someone calling on Skype — tong tong tongtongtong tong tong tuitong — takes me back to the wave of Nostalgia.
I used it with friends and for some classes.
Looking back, Microsoft missed a real opportunity by not rebranding Skype into something more than just being a personal messaging app. It kept its eye on Teams, which is fine.
I believe Microsoft could have developed Skype as the next leading messaging app to battle today’s giants like WhatsApp or Messenger. There is so much potential there.
Now, I am sure all those sole Skype users isn’t getting on Teams but instead going to alternatives.
Why, must you say? Because Teams feel too professional of an app and less personal. Evidence? Just look at your company!
In a world full of Slacks, Teams, Zoom, and WhatsApp, Skype walked so others could run.
I’m not feeling this way alone. According to the latest findings, Statista projected 2.27 billion registered users by 2024, a testament to its global reach.
Notably it’s the 18–34 age group that represents 54.83% of the user demographic. Additionally, over 51% of Skype users earned more than $100k, indicating a user base of a higher buying potential. (Think Impact)
If I were an investor of Microsoft or Venture Capitalist, I would have preferred a creative team to market it to the billions and have them re-think to leave their current apps for Skype.
Despite this, Microsoft announced the retirement of Skype in Feb 2025, transitioning users to Microsoft Teams. This move potentially overlooks a significant segment of users who preferred Skype for its simplicity and features. I sure loved them!
What’s your favorite memory of Skype as a user, and what would you have done if you were an investor?
Let’s honor Skype’s legacy — share your story and vision for its future.
#technostalgia #productstrategy #Microsoft #communicationtools #innovation #throwback
References:
- Statista. (2024). Estimated Skype user numbers worldwide. https://www.statista.com/statistics/820384/estimated-number-skype-users-worldwide/
- Think Impact. (2025). 47+ Skype Statistics 2025. https://www.thinkimpact.com/skype-statistics/