Say goodbye to the OG of internet calls.
Microsoft has officially announced it will retire Skype on May 5, 2025, marking the end of a 20-year era of missed calls, awkward silences, and “Can you hear me now?” moments.
If you’ve used Skype to call your grandma abroad, close international business deals, or reunite with that exchange student from high school—it’s time to move on.
What Will Happen to Skype?
Starting May 5, Skype will no longer support paid features like Skype Credit or international calling subscriptions.
Users will have two options:
Auto-Migrate to Microsoft Teams
Download the Teams app, and log in with your Skype credentials. Your contacts and chat history will magically appear.
Manually Export Your Data
Use Skype’s built-in tool to download your messages. But here's a fair warning: You can’t import them into other platforms.
Microsoft promises Skype data will remain accessible until the end of 2025, after which it will be permanently deleted.
But don’t expect the same services on Teams.
While Teams can handle video calls and chats like a pro, it doesn’t support traditional phone numbers or PSTN dialing like Skype did.
In fact, the Skype dial pad will only remain available online (only for Skype Web version) until your remaining balance runs out.
What Are Your Options Now?
Here’s a global tour of top platforms to keep your digital conversations alive, nine alternatives to Skype for cross-border chats
Microsoft Teams
Best for business users already in the Microsoft ecosystem
As Skype’s official successor, Teams offers seamless migration of your Skype contacts and chat records.
It supports high-quality video and audio calls, screen sharing, and collaborative tools like live document editing—perfect for meetings and internal communication.
Works well in China (especially on corporate networks)
Doesn’t support direct calls to mobile/landlines unless you're on a paid enterprise plan
Free for up to 100 participants (60-minute limit); Business plans start at USD4/user/month
Zoom
Top choice for professional video calls and conferences
Zoom exploded during the pandemic for good reason—it’s simple, stable, and loaded with features like real-time translation, virtual backgrounds, and cloud recording.
Ideal for formal international meetings and training sessions.
Generally accessible in China
Free version limited to 40 minutes per group meeting
Paid plans start at USD14.99/month
WeChat
China’s all-in-one app for daily communication
WeChat is by far the most practical tool for anyone based in China.
It allows you to send messages, make video/voice calls, translate on the fly, and even pay for lunch—all in one app.
Though its video quality may not match Zoom or Teams, it’s unbeatable for convenience.
Fully functional and optimized for use in China
Not ideal for large-scale meetings or external business calls
Free (some WeChat Work features require payment)
WhatsApp
The global favorite for personal chats and small group calls
WhatsApp supports free end-to-end encrypted calls, video chats, and file sharing—with a massive user base across India, Europe, Latin America, and Africa.
If your clients, friends, or family are outside China, they probably already have it.
Blocked in the Chinese mainland without certain internet connections
Great for calls to overseas users once connected
Free
Telegram
A privacy-focused chat app with growing global adoption
Known for encryption and massive group chat capacity, Telegram is ideal for sensitive industries or public channels.
It’s popular in Russia, the Middle East, and crypto communities.
Blocked in the Chinese mainland without certain internet connections
Feature-rich if privacy is your priority
Free
Viber
Underrated gem for calling mobiles and landlines
Viber is one of the few apps that lets you call mobile numbers directly, like Skype.
Loved across Eastern Europe and parts of Asia, it supports chats, calls, and even public communities.
App performance in China varies; may require certain internet connections
Great alternative to Skype for calling real phone numbers
Free app; Viber Out calls cost ~RMB0.20/minute
Facebook Messenger
Good for staying in touch with your global social circle
Messenger is tightly integrated with Facebook, offering text, voice, and video calls—and even money transfers in select markets.
It’s very popular in the US, UK, Canada, and Southeast Asia.
Blocked in the Chinese mainland without certain internet connections
Useful if you have lots of friends on Facebook
Free
Line
The playful pick for East Asia
Line is packed with stickers, cute games, and localized services, making it popular in Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan.
It offers voice and video calls, as well as Line Pay for mobile transactions.
Blocked in the Chinese mainland without certain internet connections
Fun and culturally relevant in East Asian regions
Free core features; Line Out for calls to non-users
Zalo
Vietnam’s go-to app for messaging and calling
Zalo is dominant in Vietnam and the Vietnamese-speaking diaspora.
It offers chat, voice/video calls, and strong local integration—even electronic payments.
Not widely used outside Vietnamese-speaking communities
Useful for China-Vietnam cross-border business
Free
Which One is For You?
Skype may be fading out, but global communication is more alive than ever—with dozens of platforms to match different regions, industries, and lifestyles.
If you're in China or Southeast Asia, WeChat, Zoom, and WhatsApp will likely be your best friends.
If you're calling grandma in Ukraine or clients in Tel Aviv, Viber or Telegram may suit you better.
And for those in the Microsoft ecosystem, Teams is the logical (if slightly corporate) next step.
As always, whichever tool you choose, don’t forget to back up your Skype memories while you still can.
Ready to move on from Skype or still mourning the end of the blue bubble?
For more tech updates for life in China and beyond, follow our WeChat official account at ThatsGBA.
[Cover image via That's]
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