Skype - Did Microsoft Buy

Launched in 2003 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, Skype used peer-to-peer (P2P) technology to make international calling free.

On May 5, 2025 , Microsoft officially retired Skype. Users were encouraged to migrate to Microsoft Teams Free , which now serves as the primary communication tool for the Microsoft ecosystem. Summary of Key Milestones 2003 Skype is founded in Estonia. 2005 eBay buys Skype for $2.6 billion. 2011 Microsoft buys Skype for $8.5 billion. 2013 Windows Live Messenger is merged into Skype. 2017 Microsoft Teams launches, eventually overshadowing Skype. 2025 Skype is officially retired on May 5. Moving from Skype to Microsoft Teams Free

Despite having a huge head start, Skype eventually lost ground to newcomers like and WhatsApp . did microsoft buy skype

The acquisition was more than just a purchase; it was a pivot that reshaped global communication. 5 billion deal, and the eventual sunset of the app that once defined video calling. 1. The Pre-Microsoft Era: A Rocky Start

eBay bought Skype in 2005 for $2.6 billion, hoping to let buyers and sellers talk. The integration failed, and eBay later sold a majority stake to a group of investors led by Silver Lake in 2009. 2. The $8.5 Billion Bet (2011) Launched in 2003 by Niklas Zennström and Janus

On May 10, 2011, Microsoft announced it would acquire Skype for $8.5 billion in cash—a massive deal that marked Microsoft's biggest acquisition at the time.

Microsoft began focusing heavily on Microsoft Teams , which offered more robust features for businesses. Summary of Key Milestones 2003 Skype is founded in Estonia

Before Microsoft entered the picture, Skype already had a complicated history of ownership: