Skype Credit has officially been retired from Microsoft’s lineup, along with the ability to buy a Skype Number. Now, avid Skype users will need to consider a monthly subscription to make the most of what Skype offers.
Skype Credit, once a handy option for making calls to both mobile phones and landlines, as well as sending SMS messages, can no longer be purchased. This transition to a subscription model aligns with Microsoft’s recent cessation of the Skype Number purchasing option.
A banner on Skype’s site now announces, “Skype Credit is no longer available. For new purchases, check out the monthly subscriptions or make a free Skype call to anyone anytime.”
Skype may not have the allure it once did, but it still boasts millions of loyal users. While Microsoft hasn’t divulged how many of these folks depended on Skype Credit, the company likely anticipates these users will see monthly subscriptions as an adequate next step.
Skype Credit provided a convenient way to access non-free features like making calls to mobiles and landlines. It’s also been used to snag a Skype Number—though, as of now, that’s off the table.
For some, this raises a big question: Is Skype still usable without Skype Credit? Fortunately, you can still place those essential calls. However, it’s now a paid feature, requiring a Skype monthly calling subscription. This new pricing structure varies based on your call destination. To give you an idea, calling within the U.S. is priced at $3.59 monthly, whereas calling India jumps to $9.59 per month.
An air of uncertainty lingers regarding how these changes impact SMS messaging. The details around Skype Credit’s usage for texting aren’t crystal clear, as the Skype Credit page omits SMS specifics. Over time, Microsoft’s webpage may update to reflect changing features, since this shift seems to have emerged suddenly. When TechCrunch first reported Skype Credit’s phase-out, Skype’s site made no mention of it, with some sections still hinting at the credits being purchasable.
In a twist, it’s confirmed that Skype Numbers are out of the market as well. In light of this, a Microsoft spokesperson told TechCrunch that the company continuously assesses its product offerings based on user habits and demands.
For those who’ve already secured a Skype Number or still have existing Skype Credit, you can breathe a little easier. Current Skype Numbers remain functional, and any Skype Credit will stay active, provided it’s used at least once every 180 days.
Skype thrives as a versatile communication hub, offering users across the globe the ability to send messages, and make both voice and video calls. These features remain unaffected by the changes to Skype Credit, ensuring millions can continue to connect online without a hitch.
