Who owns Skype?
Skype is owned by Microsoft (the United States, NASDAQ: MSFT), which has owned the brand since 13 October 2011.[1] Skype was founded in 2003 in Tallinn and was independent until 2011.
Key facts
- Current owner
- Microsoft Corporation verified
- Owned since
- Previous owner
- Independent (2003–2011)
- Owner HQ
- 🇺🇸 United States, Redmond, Washington
- Origin
- 🇪🇪 Estonia, Tallinn · browse countries
- Founded
- 2003
- Category
- Internet & digital › Digital services › Email & messaging
- Parent ticker
- NASDAQ: MSFT
- Last verified
- · 1 sources
About Skype
Skype was built in Estonia in 2003 and made international calling effectively free, which cost telecoms operators enormous revenue. Microsoft bought it from eBay and a private consortium in 2011 for $8.5 billion, and retired the consumer service in 2025 in favour of Teams.
Ownership timeline of Skype
Where Skype sits in Microsoft
Controlling ownership as of . Brands grouped under the entity that owns them; large groups are collapsed.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the parent company of Skype?
The parent company of Skype is Microsoft, a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States.
Is Skype Estonian or American?
Skype originated in Estonia in 2003, but it is owned today by Microsoft, which is headquartered in the United States. So Skype is an Estonian-origin brand under American ownership.
Since when has Microsoft owned Skype?
Microsoft has owned Skype since 13 October 2011.
Who owned Skype before Microsoft?
Skype was an independent company from its founding in 2003 in Tallinn until Microsoft acquired it in 2011.
Is Skype still owned by Microsoft?
Yes. As of 6 September 2026, Skype is still owned by Microsoft. The ownership record was last checked against primary sources on that date.
Sources (1) & corrections
Last verified . Every ownership fact above is backed by one of these primary documents. Numbers in brackets in the text refer to this list.
- [1] Microsoft Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K filed 2026-07-29 — SEC EDGAR, SEC Form 10-K, published 29 July 2026; retrieved 6 September 2026.
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