Skype Bids Farewell: Microsoft Teams Takes the Spotlight

These days, everyone uses a video conferencing app, but if you're a Skype user, change in the air.

On Friday, Microsoft announced it's closing down Skype, one of the first widely used video conferencing apps, and moving all Skype customers to Microsoft Teams. Teams is Microsoft's communication app that allows users to send chats, make voice calls, and have video meetings. 

Microsoft says Teams will be free for Skype users, but there are some caveats. Free Teams accounts are limited to calls with no more than 20 participants, and group calls are limited to 60 minutes. The free version also only gives you 5GB of storage.

Otherwise, you can use Teams for free to call and chat with your friends, colleagues, or small teams. If you need meeting recording, however, you'll have to pay the Microsoft Teams subscription fee, which starts at $4/month (when paid annually) for Teams Essential and can jump to $22/month (paid annually) for Microsoft 365 Premium Business.

Adding Microsoft's Copilot AI can increase those subscription fees.

If you are a Skype user, Microsoft isn't completely hanging you out to dry. Skype officially shuts down on May 5. Until then, you can continue to use any existing Skype credits or subscriptions you may have, but Microsoft has turned off the ability to add more credit or a new subscription.

If you currently have a subscription that will extend beyond May 5, you can continue to use it until the subscription ends.

To switch to Teams, you can download the free Teams app from Microsoft's website, and your data will automatically transfer from Skype. If you prefer not to continue with Microsoft Teams, you should download any data you have before May 5. After that date, it will no longer be available.