After 20 years of connecting individuals globally, Skype has officially ceased operations on May 5, 2025. A pioneering application for online communication that it once was, Skype enabled free voice and video calls, instant messaging, and screen sharing long before these attributes became ubiquitous.
It was the platform of choice in the early 2000s for businesses and families alike. But as new communication platforms came along, Skype’s interface felt like it was stuck in the past. Users grew frustrated with laggy calls, spam messages, and patchy updates. Microsoft shifted its attention to its other platform, Teams, and let Skype fade away quietly.
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What replaces Skype?
Now that Skype is offline, many businesses are wondering, What do we use instead?
One of the most promising alternatives is Chanty, a new team collaboration tool specifically designed to overcome Skype’s shortcomings. Chanty offers an easy way for teams to communicate and accomplish work in one place.
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Why teams are making the switch to Chanty
Chanty integrates chat, video calls, task management, and app notifications into a single simple dashboard. It’s simple to use, fast, and effective for small teams and large organizations.
A standout feature is Chanty’s alert center, which collects notifications from traditional tools like Slack, MailChimp, and Zendesk. No more switching between apps—everything is contained. Chanty also provides unlimited message history, guest accounts, and Kanban boards for task tracking.
These features make it ideal for hybrid workspaces, remote teams, and anyone seeking to boost productivity with less app clutter.
Other top alternatives to Skype
While Chanty is gaining popularity, it’s not the only option. Here are some other Skype replacements worth exploring:
- Zadarma – Offers VoIP, cloud PBX, and CRM-friendly features for business calls.
- Rocket.Chat – Open-source messaging platform with customizable options for tech-savvy teams.
- Brosix IM – Focuses on secure internal messaging and file sharing.
- Google Meet & Google Voice – Excellent for teams already using Google Workspace.
- Zoom Phone – Combines video conferencing with voice calling in a user-friendly package.
- RingCentral – A full-featured communications suite that supports voice, video, and messaging.
- Viber & FaceTime – Good for casual users and personal calls, with encrypted video and voice options.
Each of these tools serves different needs, from enterprise-level communications to personal chats.
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The future of team communication
The death of Skype marks the end of an era, yet also the beginning of a more advanced era in online communication. Teams today need tools that are integrated, secure, and simple to use—qualities that newer platforms have in spades.
Whether you’re managing a distributed workforce or just trying to streamline your communication stack, this is the perfect time to explore modern alternatives.