If you’ve been using Skype for years to stay in touch with family, clients, or coworkers, I’ve got some bad news—Skype is shutting down for good. Microsoft has officially announced that the platform will go offline on May 5, 2025 after more than two decades of service.
For work-from-home moms, this is kind of a big deal. Whether you’ve been using Skype for business meetings, virtual homeschool lessons, or just catching up with friends, losing a familiar tool means finding something new that actually works for your busy life. And let’s be real—who has time to test a bunch of apps just to find one that doesn’t drive you crazy?
The good news? You’ve got plenty of Skype alternatives to choose from. Some are better for work, some are great for personal chats, and a few even let you do both without juggling a million different apps. Let’s dive into what’s happening with Skype and, more importantly, where you should be making your next video call.
Wait… Skype Is Shutting Down? What’s Going On?
Yep, it’s happening. Microsoft is officially pulling the plug on Skype, with the final shutdown date set for May 5, 2025. If you’re wondering why, it’s mostly because Microsoft wants everyone to switch to Microsoft Teams instead.
Skype has been around for over 20 years, but let’s be honest—it’s been struggling to keep up. While newer apps like Zoom and Slack have taken over, Skype has felt, well… kind of stuck in the early 2010s. Microsoft has been focusing all its energy on Teams, which is more geared toward businesses and remote work. So, instead of juggling both, they’re just saying goodbye to Skype entirely.
If you’re still using Skype, you won’t be kicked off just yet. But once May 2025 rolls around, the app will stop working, and you’ll need to find a replacement. Microsoft is pushing Teams as the best alternative, but let’s be real—it might not be the best fit for everyone, especially if you just need something simple and easy to use.
The Best Skype Alternatives for Work-From-Home Moms
Now that Skype is on its way out, what should you use instead? The answer depends on what you need. If you’re looking for something work-friendly, you might want Slack or Zoom. If you just need something simple for video calls, Google Meet or WhatsApp could do the trick. Let’s break down the best options.
Zoom – Best for high-quality video calls
If you’ve been on any virtual meeting in the last few years, chances are you’ve already used Zoom. It became the go-to for video calls during the pandemic, and for good reason—it’s easy to use, works on almost any device, and offers great video quality.
The free plan lets you host 40-minute meetings, while paid plans remove the time limit and add extra features like cloud recording and breakout rooms. If you’re running a business, freelancing, or just need reliable video calls, Zoom is a solid choice.
Slack – Perfect for organizing work chats
For moms juggling multiple projects (or just trying to keep work messages separate from personal ones), Slack is a game-changer. It’s great for team communication, letting you create different channels for different topics—so no more messy group chats where work, school, and family updates all blend together.
Slack also integrates with tools like Google Drive, Trello, and Zoom, so if you’re managing a side hustle or freelance work, it keeps everything in one place. You can even do voice and video calls directly in Slack, though they’re more limited compared to Zoom.
WhatsApp – Easy and free for messaging and calls
If you just need something quick and free for messaging and video calls, WhatsApp is a solid choice. It’s super user-friendly, works on both phones and computers, and offers end-to-end encryption for privacy.
The only downside? It’s owned by Meta (a.k.a. Facebook), which means it sometimes goes down when Facebook has an outage—and let’s be honest, that happens more often than we’d like. If reliability is a top priority, you might want a backup option just in case.
Facebook Messenger – Convenient if you’re already on Facebook
If you’re already using Facebook daily (or hourly—no judgment), Messenger is an easy way to stay in touch. It supports video calls, voice messages, and group chats, so it’s a great option for catching up with family or handling quick work conversations.
That said, it has the same outage risk as WhatsApp since they’re both owned by Meta. If Facebook goes down, so does Messenger—so if you’re using it for work, make sure you have a backup plan.
Google Meet – Best for Gmail users
If you already use Gmail, Google Calendar, or Google Docs, Google Meet is a seamless alternative. It’s free, doesn’t have time limits on one-on-one calls, and integrates easily with other Google services.
One of the best parts? You don’t need to download anything—just send a link, and people can join your meeting straight from their browser. It’s not as feature-packed as Zoom, but for quick and simple video calls, it’s a great choice.
Viber – Secure and great for international calls
If privacy is a big concern, Viber is one of the best Skype alternatives out there. It offers end-to-end encryption, making it a secure choice for personal and business calls.
It’s also great for international calls, often offering cheaper rates than traditional phone services. If you have family or clients overseas, it’s worth considering.
WebEx – A professional choice for work meetings
If you need something more polished and professional, WebEx (by Cisco) is worth checking out. It’s popular with businesses and educators, offering features like screen sharing, meeting recording, and virtual backgrounds.
It’s not as widely used as Zoom, but if you need a solid work tool and don’t mind a bit of a learning curve, it’s a good option.
Time to Say Goodbye to Skype
With Skype shutting down next year, now’s the time to start looking for a replacement. Whether you’re running a business, homeschooling your kids, or just need an easy way to stay in touch with family, there’s a Skype alternative that fits your needs.
If you love video calls, Zoom or Google Meet might be your best bet. Need something more business-friendly? Slack or WebEx could be perfect. Just want something simple and free? WhatsApp or Messenger will do the job (as long as Facebook stays online!).
No matter what you choose, don’t wait until the last minute—start testing out a new platform now so you’re not scrambling when Skype finally disappears. Which Skype alternative do you plan to use? Let me know in the comments!
