# Build Your Own Skype Alternative - Tool: Build Your Own SaaS Alternative - Last updated: May 2026 ## TL;DR Skype shut down on May 5, 2025, leaving 36 million daily users without a familiar video calling tool. Building a focused alternative—video calls, group meetings, and PSTN dial-out—costs $150k–$400k using open-source WebRTC infrastructure like LiveKit and Jitsi. PSTN telephony integration via Twilio or FreeSWITCH is the hardest architectural layer, adding 2–3 months to development. ## Frequently asked questions ### Why did Skype shut down and when? Microsoft retired Skype on May 5, 2025 after 22 years of operation. At shutdown, Skype had approximately 36 million daily users. Microsoft's stated reason was to consolidate communications around Microsoft Teams, though Teams Free targets business users, not the personal and small-business use cases Skype served. ### How much does it cost to build a Skype alternative? A focused video calling app with chat costs $150k–$400k depending on scope. Base calling and chat: $100k–$200k. Adding mobile apps: $50k–$100k more. PSTN dial-out integration: $30k–$80k additional. Ongoing infrastructure at 100k MAU runs $5k–$15k/month depending on call volume, dominated by media server and TURN server costs. ### What is the hardest part of building a video calling app? PSTN telephony (calling real phone numbers) is the hardest architectural layer—it requires SIP trunking, codec negotiation, and carrier-level agreements. Pure WebRTC calling between app users is significantly simpler. The second hardest is NAT traversal: ensuring calls work for users on corporate networks, mobile hotspots, and CGNAT. A properly configured coturn TURN server resolves most NAT issues. ### Can I build this without a dedicated media server? For 1-to-1 calls, yes—peer-to-peer WebRTC works fine with just a TURN/STUN server. For group calls with more than 3–4 participants, you need an SFU (Selective Forwarding Unit) to avoid each participant uploading N copies of their video stream. LiveKit and Jitsi Videobridge are the standard open-source options. Budget $200–$500/month for the SFU VM at early scale. ### Are there open-source Skype replacements I can deploy directly? Jitsi Meet (25k GitHub stars, Apache 2.0) is the closest drop-in replacement and can be self-hosted in under an hour. It supports group video, screen share, and phone dial-in. BigBlueButton (8.5k stars) is better for education use cases. Neither has a full Skype-quality contact directory or mobile calling experience without significant customization—which is where a custom build adds value. ### How long does it take to build a calling app? A basic 1-to-1 and group video calling web app with chat: 8–12 weeks. Adding mobile apps: 4–5 weeks more. Full PSTN dial-out: another 4–5 weeks. End-to-end from kickoff to App Store submission with all features: 5–8 months. Recording and transcription can be added post-launch as a phase 2 enhancement. ### What compliance requirements apply to video calling apps? GDPR (EU): requires explicit recording consent from all participants, data residency options, and the right to request call history deletion. HIPAA (US healthcare): requires Business Associate Agreements with your infrastructure vendors (AWS, Twilio) and audit logs of all access. CALEA (US): if you offer PSTN calling, you may have wiretapping obligations. Consult a compliance attorney before launching in regulated verticals. ### Can RapidDev help build a custom video calling platform? Yes. RapidDev has built real-time communication infrastructure for telehealth providers, tutoring marketplaces, and enterprise collaboration tools. We can scope a Skype alternative starting from the LiveKit foundation and customize it for your vertical and compliance requirements. Reach out at rapidevelopers.com/contact with your use case. --- Source: https://www.rapidevelopers.com/clone/skype © RapidDev — https://www.rapidevelopers.com/clone/skype