Communication in the early 2000s was revolutionised by Skype, a voice and video calling platform. In those days, international communication was costly and complex, but Skype offered a way to talk seamlessly across borders.
In 2011, Skype was acquired by Microsoft for $8.5 billion, making it a household name. Individuals and families could use it to stay in touch with loved ones in other cities or countries, while businesses used it for communicating with clients.
But May 2025 will see the end of Skype as the platform has been discontinued, leaving many searching for alternatives. While Microsoft has urged users to shift to Microsoft Teams, there are plenty of other options to consider.
Why Is Skype Shutting Down?
Despite its success spanning two decades, Skype’s eventual downfall can be contributed to a number of reasons.
Its infrastructure is outdated: Skype was built with peer-to-peer (P2P) technology and as mobile and cloud computing becomes more popular, this kind of technology is no longer efficient as it once was.
It faced significant competition: Video conferencing has taken off due to remote and hybrid working models. As platforms like Zoom and Google Meet began to innovate tirelessly, Skype always seemed to lag behind.
The company’s branding was inconsistent: Where platforms such as Google Team clearly focus on collaboration, Skype’s positioning was always a bit unclear as to whether it should be used more for business or personal communication.
Is Video Conferencing Still Relevant In 2025?
The ability to video call is a major component of any communication strategy, and is essential for collaboration between teams. While many companies are wanting employees to return to a physical office post-pandemic, video conferencing is still very much relevant.
Other businesses have embraced working from home and it’s far more common these days to have team members scattered around the world. With video calling, teams can stay in touch across multiple time zones whenever collaboration is required.
It’s also a cost-effective option when you compare it to travelling to a physical location. Moreover, it’s flexibility is unmatched. With a stable Internet connection, you can have face-to-face interactions any time and from anywhere.
10 Alternatives To Skype
With the demand for video conferencing tools continuing to increase, here are 10 platforms that you can use as an alternative to Skype.
1. Zoom
Zoom became a popular video calling platform after the Covid pandemic and the move to remote working. It can also be used for personal use and it is incredibly versatile. Whether you need a one-on-one meeting or hosting a webinar with a thousand attendees, this platform can support it with ease.
Its free version is limited to 40 minute meetings however the paid plans are competitively priced and feature-rich.
Key Features:
- Break-away rooms for smaller group discussions.
- Whiteboard tools for collaboration.
- Automated meeting summaries.
2. Google Meet
Google Meet is an ideal choice for those who already utilise Gmail and Google Calendar, as it’s all integrated. This platform is browser-based which means users can share links and join from any device without needing any downloads or plugins.
The free version can accommodate up to 100 participants for 60 minutes.
Key Features:
- Live captions during meetings.
- Translation tools.
- Automatic background filtering for noise.
3. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is Microsoft’s flagship tool for communication and collaboration. Its integration with Microsoft 365 make it a natural choice for those who use Outlook, SharePoint and tools like Word or Excel.
Offering more than just voice and video options, it also supports in-messaging chats and task management.
Key Features:
- Background blur and noise suppression.
- Real-time collaboration on documents.
- Advanced access controls.
4. Slack
Slack was traditionally used as a team messaging platform, but has introduced audio and video features. These “Slack Huddles” are ideal for every day check-ins or quick screen shares and is a strong tool for day-to-day use.
It supports a more informal, casual approach to communication so while it may not be used to contact clients, it works better for in-house teams.
Key Features:
- Full video conferencing.
- Screen sharing.
- Integrations with tools like Salesforce and Trello.
5. Jitsi Meet
Jitsi Meet is a free open-source solution that doesn’t require an account to be used. Its biggest drawcard is that users don’t need to create an account to use it. All you need to do is visit the website, create a meeting room and then share the link.
Key Features:
- No limits on meeting times or numbers of participants.
- Calls are fully encrypted.
- Self-hosted versions are available.
6. Cisco Webex
Cisco Webex is compliant with international standards such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), making it a top choice for healthcare, finance or government sectors.
It can also support virtual events on a large-scale with thousands of attendees for big corporations that need the reliability.
Key Features:
- AI-powered transcriptions of meetings.
- Real-time translation into multiple languages.
- Gesture recognition.
7. Discord
While Discord was initially designed and built for gaming, it has become a communications platform for creators and remote teams. Users can navigate into channels to join live conversations, including video calls.
Key Features:
- High-quality audio.
- Screen-sharing.
- Event scheduling.
8. Whereby
Whereby’s platform requires no downloads or sign-ins and users can launch a meeting by using a custom URL. It has become a popular tool for freelancers and small businesses as it supports accessibility.
Key Features:
- Meeting spaces can be branded with logos or custom backgrounds.
- Co-watching capabilities with YouTube.
- Sessions can be recorded.
9. BlueJeans
BlueJeans was built for big corporations in IT, law and healthcare. The company was acquired by Verizon and offers equally strong audio and video quality. Its integrations with Trello, Microsoft Teams and Slack make it a unified communications tool for easy collaboration.
Key Features:
- Smart meeting summaries.
- Transcriptions in real-time.
- Branding is customisable.
10. Telegram
Telegram, traditionally known for its secure messaging, now includes group video call options. The calls are secured with end-to-end encryption and available on mobiles, desktops or the Internet for added convenience.
Key Features:
- Unlimited cloud storage for messages and media.
- Supports meetings with up to 200,000 attendees.
- Cross-platform accessibility.
