How Zoom Killed Skype

Zoom Video Communications wasn’t always a household name. Founded in 2011, it began as a relatively modest entrant into the world of enterprise communication software, but it rapidly evolved, as if Zoom killed the need for other platforms to host video meetings effectively. Yet by 2020, it had become synonymous with video calls, virtual meetings, online classrooms, weddings, funerals, and even parliamentary sessions. So, how did a single app, initially designed for business use, so thoroughly infiltrate every corner of daily life across the globe?

Let’s examine the story behind Zoom’s meteoric rise and how it thrived where other tech giants struggled.

Video Credits To: https://www.youtube.com/@MagnatesMedia

The Humble Beginnings

Zoom was created by Eric Yuan, a Chinese-American engineer who left Cisco WebEx after becoming frustrated with the limitations of existing video conferencing tools. He launched Zoom in 2011 with the goal of creating a more reliable, accessible, and user-friendly platform.

Unlike other services at the time, Zoom was engineered to perform well even on weaker internet connections. Its streamlined interface allowed users to start or join meetings with just one click. By prioritising ease of use and video quality, Yuan built a product that quickly caught on among businesses looking for a seamless communication solution (Forbes).

By 2017, Zoom had become one of the fastest-growing business applications in North America. Yet, its popularity was still primarily confined to corporate and tech-savvy environments.

The Pandemic Catalyst

Everything changed in early 2020. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced much of the world into lockdown, Zoom’s user base exploded almost overnight. Workplaces closed, schools shifted to remote learning, and families were separated. Suddenly, everyone—from primary school teachers to grandparents—needed a reliable way to connect online.

Zoom was ready.

In December 2019, Zoom averaged around 10 million daily meeting participants. By April 2020, that number had skyrocketed to 300 million (Wikipedia). In a matter of weeks, it had gone from a business tool to a public utility.

Zoom’s financials reflected this transformation. In its fiscal year ending January 2021, Zoom reported over $2.6 billion in revenue, an increase of more than 300% compared to the previous year (BBC).

Why Zoom Triumphed Over Tech Giants

Zoom’s success wasn’t merely a matter of timing. Several key factors helped it outpace competitors like Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Skype:

• Simplicity: Zoom’s user interface was clean and intuitive. No complicated logins or software installations were required—users could join a meeting via a web link with no technical knowledge.
• Reliability: Zoom’s infrastructure handled video and audio better than most competitors, especially under heavy loads. It adapted to varying bandwidths and delivered consistently strong performance.
• Freemium Model: Offering free 40-minute meetings made Zoom instantly accessible. Schools, families, and non-profits could use the service without upfront costs.
• Scalability: Whether you were running a one-on-one interview or hosting a 1,000-person webinar, Zoom could adapt.
• Brand Identity: Much like “Google” became synonymous with internet search, “Zoom” became shorthand for online meetings. Few platforms achieved this branding triumph.

A 2021 article from NPR highlighted how Zoom’s focused design and quick adaptability enabled it to outpace tech giants who were slower to optimise their platforms for mass, non-corporate use (NPR).

Growing Pains and Public Scrutiny

Zoom’s rapid ascent wasn’t without hiccups. As new users flooded the platform, security concerns emerged. “Zoombombing”—where trolls would hijack open Zoom meetings—grabbed headlines. In response, Zoom overhauled its security features, adding passwords by default, enabling waiting rooms, and eventually introducing end-to-end encryption.

Additionally, privacy watchdogs raised questions about data practices, prompting Zoom to update its terms and improve transparency.

The company also had to deal with internal pressures. In early 2023, facing the economic aftershocks of the pandemic boom, Zoom announced layoffs affecting 15% of its workforce as part of its restructuring efforts (Wired).

Zoom Evolves: More Than Just Meetings

Realising that it couldn’t rely on video calls forever, Zoom began to expand its ecosystem. It launched Zoom Phone, a cloud-based telephone service, and Zoom Rooms, designed for hybrid workplaces. In 2022 and 2023, it rolled out calendar integration, email services, whiteboard tools, and AI-powered transcription and meeting summaries.

These developments weren’t just about diversification—they were part of Zoom’s strategy to become a full-scale productivity and communications suite, directly challenging Microsoft and Google in enterprise software.

Moreover, Zoom started tailoring its services to specific sectors, including education, healthcare, and government. With custom tools for telehealth and digital classrooms, it has carved out niches that may sustain its relevance in the long term.

Zoom’s Cultural Impact

Beyond business and education, Zoom became a cultural phenomenon. In 2020 alone, people held weddings, birthday parties, book clubs, and even therapy sessions over the app. A U.K. judge once ruled a court case via Zoom. Parliamentarians debated from their homes, while the term “Zoom fatigue” entered the lexicon to describe the mental drain of endless virtual meetings.

Pop culture adapted too: Saturday Night Live produced entire sketches via Zoom, and millions shared stories of awkward mute button mishaps and virtual backgrounds gone wrong. The platform didn’t just reflect the times—it shaped them.

The Road Ahead

Now that pandemic-era lockdowns are mostly over, Zoom faces new challenges. Usage has stabilised, and the company must contend with stronger competition from Teams, Google Meet, and other platforms.

Still, the future looks cautiously optimistic. Hybrid work is here to stay, and with it comes a continued need for digital collaboration tools. According to industry analysts, the global video conferencing market is expected to exceed £15 billion by 2030, and Zoom remains a key player in that space.

Its ability to evolve, pivot, and respond to user needs will determine whether it retains its crown or becomes a relic of a unique moment in history.

Conclusion

Zoom didn’t just take over the world—it met the moment with unmatched precision. From an underdog startup to a global communications titan, Zoom succeeded by prioritising simplicity, scalability, and reliability when the world needed it most.

Its story is not only one of technological innovation, but also of timing, adaptability, and the human need to connect—whether in a boardroom, a classroom, or a birthday celebration.

As we move further into the digital age, Zoom’s legacy will be remembered not only as the app that powered a pandemic but also as a symbol of how technology can bring us together—even when we’re forced apart.