{"id":1301,"date":"2025-05-06T03:33:56","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T03:33:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/?p=1301"},"modified":"2025-05-06T03:33:56","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T03:33:56","slug":"skype-is-shutting-down-today-these-are-the-best-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/2025\/05\/06\/skype-is-shutting-down-today-these-are-the-best-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Skype is shutting down today \u2014 these are the best alternatives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2153293575_84455f.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"speakable-summary\">After 23 years of connecting people around the world,Skype, the popular video-calling service, isshutting down. Microsoft, the parent company, confirmed that the official sunset date for the service is Monday, May 5, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Skype users can either migrate all their contacts and chat data to Microsoft Teams, or they can choose to download their Skype data and transition to another video-calling service.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To assist users in the switch, we\u2019ve created a guide on how to migrate to Teams or download Skype data. Additionally, we\u2019ve curated a list of alternative video-calling apps that can replace Skype.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-move-from-skype-to-microsoft-teams\">How to move from Skype to Microsoft Teams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Skype users can sign in toTeamsfor free using their Skype credentials. Once logged in, all their chats and contacts will automatically transfer to the app.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Teams offers features similar to Skype, including one-on-one and group calls, messaging, and file sharing. While Skype was primarily designed for smaller groups (up to 20 participants) and casual use, Teams is more business-focused, accommodating up to 10,000 participants in a single video call. It also comes with advanced security features and various integrations, such as Evernote, OneDrive, Office 365, Salesforce, SharePoint, Trello, and more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Teams is available onAndroid,iOS,Mac, PC, and the web.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&gt;&gt;&gt;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/detail-Microsoft-1746441-G3HTA071H\">G3HTA071H Battery for Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 1964<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-export-skype-data\">How to export Skype data<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For users who aren\u2019t interested in making the transition to Microsoft Teams, we still recommend exporting account data. This ensures that valuable information \u2014 such as messages, files, and contact details \u2014 is backed up and can be accessed in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open Skype and log in.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click on the three horizontal dots under the account name in the top left corner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Go to<strong>Settings<\/strong>><strong>Account &amp; Profile<\/strong>><strong>Your Account<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After being redirected to Skype\u2019s web portal, choose from either<strong>Export contacts (.csv)<\/strong>,<strong>Export Caller ID numbers (.csv)<\/strong>, or<strong>Export files and chat history<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The \u201cExport files and chat history\u201d option lets users download<strong>Conversations<\/strong>and<strong>Files<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click<strong>Submit Request<\/strong>and<strong>Continue<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When the export process is complete, click<strong>Download<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&gt;&gt;&gt;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/detail-Microsoft-1745816-G3HTA049H\">G3HTA049H Battery for Microsoft Surface Book 2 15 inch 1835<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-here-are-the-best-skype-alternatives\">Here are the best Skype alternatives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-google-meet\">Google Meet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/google-meet-pause-tiles.jpg?w=680\" srcset=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/google-meet-pause-tiles.jpg 1422w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/google-meet-pause-tiles.jpg?resize=150,84 150w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/google-meet-pause-tiles.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/google-meet-pause-tiles.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/google-meet-pause-tiles.jpg?resize=680,383 680w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/google-meet-pause-tiles.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/google-meet-pause-tiles.jpg?resize=1280,720 1280w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/google-meet-pause-tiles.jpg?resize=430,242 430w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/google-meet-pause-tiles.jpg?resize=720,405 720w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/google-meet-pause-tiles.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/google-meet-pause-tiles.jpg?resize=800,450 800w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/google-meet-pause-tiles.jpg?resize=668,375 668w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/google-meet-pause-tiles.jpg?resize=1097,617 1097w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/google-meet-pause-tiles.jpg?resize=708,398 708w\" alt=\"google meet screen\" width=\"1422\" height=\"800\"><strong>Image Credits:<\/strong>Google<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An obvious benefit of usingGoogle Meetis that it\u2019s available for free with a Google account. Since a lot of people are already using Google and have existing accounts, transitioning to this platform would be fairly easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Google Meet allows users to hold meetings with up to 100 participants, record meetings, share screens, and more. A drawback with the free plan is that if a meeting has more than three participants, there\u2019s a 60-minute time limit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Large companies may want to purchase a Google Workspace plan for features like having up to 25 co-hosts, dividing participants into smaller breakout rooms during meetings, creating polls, setting up a Q&amp;A session, livestreaming to YouTube, and more. Workspace \u2014 which has plans for $7\/month, $14\/month, $22\/month, and up \u2014 also offers AI-powered tools through itsGemini assistant, which helps Meet users take notes and create custom background images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&gt;&gt;&gt;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/detail-Microsoft-1744793-A70\">A70 Battery for Microsoft Surface A70<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-zoom\">Zoom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Zoomis another popular web-conferencing tool. It offers several helpful features, including the ability to host up to 100 participants and chat in both private and public groups, and has tools such as notes, a whiteboard, and screen-sharing capabilities. Users can also record meetings and access transcripts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, one downside is the 40-minute time limit per meeting for users on the free plan. To avoid having meetings cut off, users will need to purchase a subscription, which ranges from $13\/month to $18\/month. Paid subscribers have access to Zoom\u2019sAI Companion, which includes the ability to summarize meetings and ask questions about transcribed meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-webex\">Webex<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/webex-videocall.jpeg?w=680\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2978140\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Image Credits:<\/strong>Webex<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Webex, the Cisco-owned video conferencing tool, offers a similar plan to its competitors. For instance, it has features such as screen sharing, the ability to record sessions, a whiteboard capability, and more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The free plan includes up to 100 attendees per meeting, as well as an unfortunate 40-minute time limit. Webex also offers plans from $12\/month, $22\/month, and up, depending on team size. The paid tiers come with an AI assistant, live polling, Q&amp;A, and the ability to add up to 1,000 attendees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-discord\">Discord<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Discordwas initially designed as a chat platform for gamers, but it can also serve as an alternative to Skype for personal use or for smaller teams. However, it\u2019s not recommended for larger businesses, as it limits calls to 25 participants.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the positive side, Discord offers unlimited meeting lengths and features such as screen sharing, the ability to record meetings, and breakout rooms. The platform has a free plan in addition to two paid options priced at $5\/month and $10\/month, making it one of the more affordable choices available, depending on users\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-slack\">Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/slack-huddles.jpg?w=680\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2978131\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Image Credits:<\/strong>Slack<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>WhileSlackmay not be ideal for formally scheduled meetings with large groups, it can be effective for spontaneous meetings within team chats. The Huddle feature in Slack enables users to easily transition from a chat thread to an informal audio or video call with colleagues. On the free plan, Huddles can accommodate only two people, whereas paid plans (priced at $7\/month or $12\/month) allow for up to 50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-signal\">Signal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Signal, the encrypted messaging app, has providedgroup video-calling featuressince2020and can accommodate up to 50 participants in a single call.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although it\u2019s not a direct competitor to Skype, it allows users to share links for calls, enabling them to simply send the link to others rather than creating a group, much like Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams do. Notably, Signal is free to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other similar apps for mobile users looking to video call with smaller groups includeWhatsApp,Facebook Messenger, andApple FaceTime.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After 23 years of connecting people around the world,Skype, the popular video-calling service, isshutting down. Microsoft, the parent company, confirmed that the official sunset date for the service is Monday, May 5, 2025. Skype users can either migrate all their contacts and chat data to Microsoft Teams, or they can choose to download their Skype &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/2025\/05\/06\/skype-is-shutting-down-today-these-are-the-best-alternatives\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Skype is shutting down today \u2014 these are the best alternatives<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[108],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1301","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-microsoft"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1301","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1301"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1301\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1302,"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1301\/revisions\/1302"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1301"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1301"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1301"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}