Goodbye, Skype for Business! Time to Switch.
On-premises Skype for Business Server will only be supported until October 14, 2025. Time is running out - it’s time to explore alternatives.
Skype ended server support in 2024, leaving Skype for Business Server without critical security updates — making it highly vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Microsoft suggests migrating to Teams, but for organizations handling sensitive data or operating under strict compliance regulations, this isn't a viable option.
Microsoft Teams is a popular collaboration tool, but it has several limitations and drawbacks, especially for businesses that require self-hosting, privacy, and flexibility.
Here are some key cons and limitations:
No Self-Hosting — Teams is entirely cloud-based, meaning organizations handling sensitive data or requiring on-premises deployment for compliance can't use it.
Expensive for Small and Large Teams — Microsoft Teams is bundled with Microsoft 365, making it costly for businesses that only need a messaging and collaboration tool without the full Microsoft ecosystem.
High System Resource Usage — Teams is known to be resource-intensive, slowing down computers, especially on older hardware.
Limited File Storage on Free Plan — The free version of Teams has only 5GB of storage per user, which can be insufficient for teams working with large files.
Complex Integrations — While Teams supports many integrations, it often requires additional Microsoft licenses or third-party apps, increasing costs and complexity.
Requires Constant Internet Access — Unlike self-hosted alternatives, Teams relies on cloud servers, which means downtime or connectivity issues can disrupt communication.
Privacy & Data Sovereignty Concerns — Since all data is stored in Microsoft's cloud, businesses in regulated industries may face compliance risks and concerns over data sovereignty.
If your business relies on an on-premises solution to safeguard confidential information, now is the time to act. A secure, compliant alternative must be in place before October 2025.
Waiting too long means exposing your organization to hackers, data breaches, and regulatory risks—without any protection.
For organizations needing a self-hosted, secure, and cost-effective alternative, Virola Messenger is a strong contender.
Essential features comparison of Skype for Business Server vs. Microsoft Teams vs. Virola Messenger
Skype |
Teams |
Virola |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| On-premise deployment | |||
| Air-gapped deployment | |||
| Flexible app-level, chat room and private permissions | Applies only to telephony features | Limited functionality | |
| Task Board | Requires Microsoft 365 to use Planner | ||
| Issues tracking | Requires Microsoft 365 to use Planner | ||
| Screen sharing and remote control | Only screen sharing | ||
| Text formatting | With the help of special tags | With the help of text formatting editor | Plain, HTML, Code, Markdown, LaTeX |
| Landline or mobile numbers calling | |||
| Integration with Microsoft ecosystem | With Active Directory only | ||
| Limitless number of people in a video or audio call | |||
| Meeting recording as long as needed | |||
| No phone and e-mail required for login |
As you can see, Virola includes most of the essential communication and collaboration features. This makes it a great choice, as a unified platform eliminates compatibility issues, streamlines workflows, and enhances security by keeping everything in a single, well-protected environment.
And what about prices?
Free for Small Teams — Virola is completely free for teams of up to 10 users, with no feature limitations.
Scalable Pricing for Larger Teams — For teams exceeding 10 users, pricing is based on the number of active users. Businesses can calculate their exact cost using the online pricing calculator.
One-Time Purchase, No Subscriptions — Unlike many SaaS solutions, Virola offers a one-time license purchase, ensuring long-term cost savings without recurring fees.
Self-Hosted, No Hidden Costs — Since Virola is self-hosted, there are no extra expenses tied to cloud storage or third-party hosting.
How to Setup Virola?
Setting it up is quick and straightforward – no corporate email or phone number required!
Install Virola Server
Start by installing the Virola Server on your infrastructure. It supports Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Install the Virola Client
Once the server is up and running, install the Virola client app on your desktop or mobile device.
Connect & Configure
Link the client to your server, create user profiles, and start communicating securely with your team.
All installation guides and download links are available here:
Virola Download Page