After 23 years of connecting people around the world, Skype, the popular video call service is closing. Microsoft, the parent company, confirmed that the official sunset date for the service is May 5, 2025.
Skype users can migrate all their contacts and conversation data on Microsoft teams, or they can choose to download their data on Skype and switch to another video call service.
To help users in the switch, we have created a guide on how to migrate to teams or download Skype data. Moreover, we have curated a list of alternative video call applications that can replace Skype.
How to switch from Skype to Microsoft teams
Before May 5, Skype users can be recorded on free teams using their Skype credentials. Once registered, all their conversations and contacts will be automatically transferred to the application.
Teams offer Skype-like features, including one-to-one and group calls, messages and file sharing. While Skype was mainly created for smaller groups (up to 20 participants) and casual use, teams are more business -focused, accommodating up to 10,000 participants in a single video call. It also comes up with advanced safety features and various integrations, such as Evernote, Onhedrive, Office 365, Salesforce, SharePoint, Trello, and more.
Teams are available on Android, iOS, Mac, PC and online.
How to export data to Skype
For users who are not interested in making the transition to Microsoft teams, we still recommend exporting account data. This ensures that valuable information – such as messages, files and contact details – to be supported and can be achieved in the future.
- Open Skype and login.
- Click on the three horizontal points under the account name in the upper left corner.
- wend SETTINGS > Account & profile > Your account.
- Once you are redirected to the Skype online portal, select one Export contacts (.CSV), Export caller ID numbers (.CSV)OR Export the files and the story of the conversation.
- The “Export Files and History Chat History” option allows users to download Conversation AND record.
- Click Submit the request AND continue.
- When the export process is complete, click Discharge.
Here are Skype’s best alternatives
Google meet
A visible google use benefit meets is that it is free available with a Google account. Since many people already use Google and have existing accounts, switching to this platform would be quite easy.
Google the meeting allows users to hold meetings with up to 100 participants, register meetings, stock screens and more. One obstacle with the free plan is that if a meeting has more than three participants, there is a 60-minute time limit.
Large companies may want to buy a Google work plan for features for up to 25 co-perpetrator, share participants into smaller rooms broken during meetings, creating surveys, creating a Q&A session, living on YouTube, and more. Work space-which has plans for $ 7/month, $ 14/month, 22 $/month, and UP-also offers energy tools through his Gemini assistant, which helps meet users and create custom backdrop images.
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Zoom is another tool known for the Internet Conference. It offers some useful features, including the ability to wait up to 100 participants and talk to both private and public groups, and has tools such as notes, a white chart and screen sharing ability. Users can also record meetings and input transcripts.
However, a weakness is the 40-minute time limit for use for users in the free plan. To avoid meetings, users will need to buy a reconciliation, which ranges from $ 13/month to $ 18/month. Paid subscribers have access to Zoom’s companion, which includes the ability to summarize meetings and ask questions about transcribed meetings.
Online
Webex, the CISCO -owned video conference tool, offers a similar plan for its competitors. For example, it has features such as screen sharing, the ability to record sessions, a white table skill and more.
The free plan includes up to 100 present for the meeting, as well as an unfortunate period of 40-minute. Webex also offers plans from $ 12/month, 22 dollars a month and up, depending on the size of the team. Paid levels come with an assistant to him, direct survey, Q&A and the ability to add up to 1,000 participants.
disagreement
The discord was originally created as a conversation platform for players, but can also serve as a Skype alternative for personal use or smaller teams. However, it is not recommended for larger businesses as it limits calls to 25 participants.
On the positive side, the discord offers unlimited length of dating and features such as screen sharing, the ability to record meetings and break rooms. The platform has a free plan in addition to the two options paid at $ 5/month and $ 10/month, making it one of the most affordable choices available, depending on the needs of the user.
Lazy
While Slack may not be ideal for officially planned meetings with large groups, it can be effective for spontaneous meetings within team conversations. Huddle features in Slack enables users to easily switch from a conversation thread to an informal audio or video call with colleagues. In the free plan, Huddles can accommodate only two people, while the plans paid (at $ 7/month or $ 12/month) allow up to 50.
Signal
The signal, the coded messaging app, has provided features of video call groups since 2020 and can accommodate up to 50 participants in a single call.
Although not a direct competitor for Skype, he allows users to share call links, enabling them to simply send the connection to others than to create a group, just as Google meets, Zoom, and Microsoft teams. In particular, the signal is free to use.
Other similar apps for mobile users looking to call video smaller groups include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Apple Facetime.
