Skype

Range: 2-100 limited Effective: Aug 29, 2003 Official source Pricing page

Free: $0/mo 100 participants, 24-hr calls *Note: Consumer Skype is free.*:

Milestone	Date	Notes
Launch	Aug 29, 2003	Peer-to-peer VoIP and messaging application
eBay acquisition	Sep 12, 2005	Acquired by eBay for $2.6 billion
Microsoft acquisition	May 10, 2011	Acquired by Microsoft for $8.5 billion
Skype for Business launch	Apr 14, 2015	Enterprise version replacing Microsoft Lync
Skype for Business retired	Jul 31, 2021	Enterprise users migrated to Microsoft Teams
Consumer Skype in maintenance	Jan 1, 2023	Limited updates as Teams becomes primary platform

Implements: Video Conferencing limited Effective: Aug 29, 2003

"Skype pioneered consumer video calling but now operates in limited maintenance mode as Microsoft focuses on Teams."

Requirement	Details
Participant limit	Up to 100 participants in group calls
Video quality	HD video calling
Layout	Grid view for group calls

Sources: Skype

Implements: Screen Sharing limited Effective: Jan 1, 2010

"Skype screen sharing remains functional for consumer use but lacks the advanced controls found in Teams."

Requirement	Details
Sharing options	Full screen sharing during calls
Audio sharing	System audio can be shared on some platforms
Availability	Desktop and mobile screen sharing

Sources: Skype

Implements: Recording limited Effective: Sep 1, 2018

"Skype call recording stores clips in the cloud for 30 days, after which they must be downloaded to preserve."

Requirement	Details
Cloud recording	Call recording saved to Skype chat for 30 days
Download	Recordings can be downloaded as MP4
Notification	All participants notified when recording starts

Sources: Skype

Implements: Chat Messaging limited Effective: Aug 29, 2003

"Skype messaging was a pioneer in consumer instant messaging and remains available for personal communication."

Requirement	Details
Instant messaging	Text chat with individuals and groups
File sharing	Send files, photos, and documents in chat
Emoji and reactions	Reactions and emoticons in conversations

Sources: Skype

Implements: Virtual Backgrounds limited Effective: Jun 1, 2020

"Skype added virtual backgrounds and blur during the 2020 remote work surge, borrowing features from Teams."

Requirement	Details
Background images	Choose from preset images or upload custom backgrounds
Background blur	Blur background during video calls
Preview	Preview background before starting call

Sources: Skype