Skype users are in for a bit of change: the option to buy Skype Credit has been removed, which means those sticking with the platform will now need to consider a subscription if they want to use certain features. Previously, Skype Credit allowed you to make phone calls to mobile phones and landlines or send SMS messages. It was also useful for purchasing a Skype Number, although Microsoft recently ended that option as well.
When you visit Skype’s credits page now, you’re greeted with a banner that reads, "Skype Credit is no longer available. For new purchases, check out the monthly subscriptions or make a free Skype call to anyone, anytime." While Skype isn’t quite the titan it once was, millions still rely on it. Microsoft hasn’t delved into specifics about how many of these users utilized Skype Credit, but it’s likely they anticipate that a subscription will adequately fill that gap.
Explaining Skype Credit
For those new to the scene, Skype Credit was sort of a pay-as-you-go model for accessing specific features on Skype that were not available for free. It allowed users to contact mobile phones and landlines, send SMS messages, and at one time, even purchase a Skype Number.
Using Skype Without Credit
Even with the phaseout of Skype Credit, calling features remain accessible. However, to make these calls, you’ll need a monthly subscription from Skype. Prices vary depending on your calling destination; for instance, a plan for calling within the United States runs at $3.59 a month, whereas dialing India bumps the price up to $9.59 monthly.
Currently, there’s some uncertainty around whether this change will impact Skype’s SMS capabilities. Although the Skype Credit support page still mentions using credits for texting, the current webpage lacks any details on SMS functionalities. With the removal of the credit option being so abrupt, it may take time for all the information to catch up online. When TechCrunch reported on the discontinued Skype Credit, some parts of Skype’s website still suggested credits were available.
Despite the shake-up, it’s clear that Skype Numbers are no longer for sale as confirmed by a Microsoft representative. They stated the company continuously reassesses its product strategies based on user habits and needs.
For those who’ve already invested in Skype Numbers or credits, don’t fret; they’ll remain usable provided some credit is engaged within a 180-day span. Skype persists as a versatile app for online communication, which remains a primary usage model for its users. Messaging, voice, and video calls will continue unaffected, regardless of the Skype Credit changes.
