Skype is shutting down for good today the best alternatives and how to save your data

Pioneer video-calling site Skype is shutting down on Monday after 23 years as other popular apps like Microsoft Teams and Zoom have swiped market share in recent years.Users of Microsoft-owned Skype were given just 24 hours to save their contacts, which could then be automatically transferred to Teams after logging in with their Skype username and password.Skypers could also save their data manually by going to “Your Account” under “Settings” on Skype.A prompt allows them to choose whether to export contacts, caller ID numbers or chat history.

Then, click “Submit Request” and “Continue,” and finally select “Download.”Microsoft did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.While there are several comparable alternatives for those mourning the downfall of Skype, from Microsoft Teams and Zoom to Google Meet and WebEx, Skype’s demise marks the passing of the early days of computer webcams and video chats. For Skype users, Microsoft Teams might be the easiest platform to shift over to, since it’s owned by the same company.It offers similar features to Skype, including one-on-one and group calls, along with messaging and file sharing capabilities.

Unlike Skype, Teams was made to be used in a business environment, so its calls can include up to 10,000 participants.The free version has a meeting limit of one hour.

A subscription costs between $4 and $12.50 a month.Zoom is another popular option, with the ability to include up to 100 participants for video calls and chat capabilities.It includes useful tools for work and school meetings, like notes, a whiteboard and screen-sharing.

Users can record these meetings and download meeting transcripts.However, free meetings cut off after 40 minutes.

For unlimited meeting time, users need to pay for a subscription, which costs between $13 to $18.Users prioritizing convenience might enjoy Google Meet, which is free and links directly to users’ Google accounts and Gmails.Google Meet ...