messaging
Skype vs WhatsApp
Skype started first, in 2003, 6 years before WhatsApp.
Why Skype lasted
- The username graph of the 2000s still has grandparents on it.
- Microsoft cannot quite kill the brand without a press cycle.
Why WhatsApp lasted
- It is the SMS of half the planet. Network effects at that scale do not care about your new app.
- Facebook bought it and was not allowed to fully melt it into Facebook. The brand stayed the brand.
Questions
Which is older, Skype or WhatsApp?
Skype started first, in 2003, 6 years before WhatsApp.
How long has Skype been running?
Skype has been up 23 years 47 days, since 2003-08-01.
How long has WhatsApp been running?
WhatsApp has been up 17 years 205 days, since 2009-02-24.
More messaging comparisons
same category
Discord vs ICQDiscord vs SignalDiscord vs SkypeDiscord vs SlackDiscord vs TelegramDiscord vs WhatsApp
Dates are founding dates from the written entries. Play which is older, or see the oldest messaging still running.