Celebrating 1 billion downloads
By
Josh Silverman on September 28, 2008 in News, events, milestones.
A few minutes ago, something pretty cool happened. Someone, somewhere in the world, downloaded the billionth copy of Skype.
It took us three and a half years, from August 2003 to February 2007, to reach the 500 million download mark, and then just 19 months for another 500 million copies to be downloaded. That’s a pretty dizzying feat for a five year old software company, and one that we’re all very proud of.
What’s more exciting, though, is what’s in store for the future. Our ambition to make Skype available on as many devices as possible and initiatives like the Skype for Asterisk beta announced on Thursday underline our dedication to bringing people closer to their friends, loved ones and colleagues – anywhere in the world; at work, home or play; and on any device.
Here’s to the next billion ![]()

Comments
Nice number Josh. Congratulations!
What i really would like to know is the real number of active Skype Users, instead of the false number of Users = Registered User Names.
Jean from the Skype Numerology blog (http://skypenumerology.blogspot.com)
aimqbvba | Sunday, Sep 28
Congrats from this OSX Skype spanish translator, beta-tester and forum moderator
I hope I can celebrate the next billion (a billion!) in the future. Although downloads may be not directly connected to online users, it is nice to celebrate downloads are active, going on, all alive and kicking. Skype is in goold health and shape.
Carola Clavo
carolaclavo | Monday, Sep 29
And how is Skype 4 doing. Could we please get an update? Beta 2 was supposed to ship in late summer, which obviously never happened. What is going on?
qtrans_asbjoern | Monday, Sep 29
Beta 2 will be coming very, very soon indeed - keep an eye on this blog over the next few days for details
peterparkes | Monday, Sep 29