Your Skype for Business Server replacement guide

Tick Tock. Skype for Business Server is shutting down in:

16

Months

17

Days

10

Hours

30

minutes

54

second
Skype Logo
A group of people sitting at desks in an office.

It’s no secret

Microsoft is neglecting on-premise communications with no viable replacement for Skype for Business Server. The Subscription Edition is unpredictable, costly, and lacks a clear roadmap, making it less suitable for organizations that need security and reliability. Without ongoing updates and support, Skype for Business Server users risk security and compliance issues.

What to do next?

Follow our step-by-step guide for choosing a Skype for Business Server
alternative that best fits the needs of your organization.
01

Understand important dates

If cloud-based Microsoft Teams is not an option for your
organization and you want to be ready before October 2025, the
time to act is NOW.
October 13, 2020
Mainstream Support end date
January 9, 2024
Mainstream Support end date
October 14, 2025
Extended Support end date
Skype for Business Server 2015
Skype for Business Server 2019
Skype for Business Server 2015
Skype for Business Server 2019
A black background with a red vertical line.
Skype for Business Server 2015
October 13, 2020
Mainstream Support end date
October 14, 2025
Extended Support end date
.
Skype for Business Server 2015



January 9, 2024
Mainstream Support end date
October 14, 2025
Extended Support end date
02

Ask the right questions to evaluate Skype for Business Server alternatives

Questions to ask when looking for the
right replacement

Get our whitepaper to learn about the:
  • Implications of Skype for Business Server’s end of life
  • 7 factors you should consider when seeking a Skype for Business Server
    alternative
  • Comparison matrix to help you identify the ideal replacement
    for Skype for Business Server.
Navigation skype for business
03

Shortlist the viable Skype for Business Server alternatives

Skype
Teams
Cisco Webex
Element
Mattermost
Wickr
Wire
Rocket.Chat
wire logo
Open source license
Deploy on-premise or in a private cloud
Air-gapped deployment
E2EE
cross
Custom roles and permissions
cross
Message moderation
Secure guest access
Omnichannel customer/citizen service

Rocket.Chat included in The Forrester Wave™: Secure Communications Solutions, Q3 2024

Learn about why Rocket.Chat was included on the list of the most secure communications solutions and how it serves organizations operating in mission-critical environments.

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04

Keep in mind  Microsoft Teams is now unbundled from Office

A screen shot of a website with the words teams unbundled from ms office.
Microsoft Teams unbundled from Office
[+3 reasons why it matters]
A poster with a picture of a man on it.
Microsoft Teams Unbundled: Why Now Is The Right Time
To Move To a Secure Collaboration Tool
05

Get a free Skype for Business Server replacement consultation

Connect with our sales team.

Our pre-sales and sales teams are happy to assess your needs and answer any questions about Rocket.Chat.
  • Get a free Skype for Business Server consultation
  • Understand how to migrate from Skype for Business Server to Rocket.Chat
  • Get Rocket.Chat pricing
  • Get a customized Rocket.Chat demo

Microsoft Teams in the news

A screen shot of a web page with a picture of a person on it.
Microsoft security breaches rile US government customers.
A person holding a cell phone in their hand.

More Skype for Business Server resources for you

A screenshot of a web page with a skype for business.
Blog
Skype for Business Server End of Life: what you can do about it
Learn more
A group of different colored logos on a gray background.
Blog
6 top Skype for Business Server alternatives [except  Microsoft  Teams]
Learn more
A black background with the words why organization choose rocket chat over s and t?.
Info slide
Why organizations use Rocket.Chat over  Microsoft  Teams and Skype for Business Server?
Learn more