From Market Leader to Shutdown: Lessons from Skype’s Fall & the Power of PLG and One-Click Strategy

From Market Leader to Shutdown: Lessons from Skype’s Fall & the Power of hashtag#PLG and One-Click Strategy

Microsoft recently announced the shutdown of Skype, which got me thinking, how did this happen? Just four years ago, Skype owned 32.4% of the video conferencing market. Yet by 2021, Zoom had taken over with 48.7%, leaving Skype behind.

But before we get into that—how do I tell my mom she can’t use Skype anymore and has to learn something new? 🤦‍♂️

The reality is, the next generation of users didn’t want what my mom’s generation needed. They didn’t want clunky logins, downloads, or outdated interfaces. They wanted instant access, seamless integration, and a product that just worked.

Moreover Zoom’s success wasn’t just about video quality—it was about removing barriers:
✅ One-click meeting access
✅ No account, no install required
✅ A freemium model that turned every meeting into a product demo

That same simplicity-first mindset drives Project Sveltos - Kubernetes Multi-Cluster Add-on Operator.

⚡ One Command to Get Started

💻 helm install projectsveltos projectsveltos/projectsveltos -n projectsveltos --create-namespace

That’s it: no login, no registration, no friction. Just pure open-source power, ready to go.

💡 PLG Takeaway
The easier it is to try a product, the faster it spreads. Users today demand e instant gratification. PLG isn’t just about making your enterprise product free, it’s about redesigning it for seamless adoption.

📢 Your Turn: Are you simply making your enterprise product free to use, or are you truly redesigning it for a PLG motion? Share your experience in the comments below.