Amazon Bids Farewell to Chime: The End of Its Zoom Rival
Amazon Chime, the company’s lesser-known alternative to popular video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Google Meet, is set to be permanently discontinued. On Wednesday, Amazon confirmed that it will cease support for Chime, including its Business Calling features, effective February 20, 2026.
End of an Era for Amazon Chime
As part of this transition, Amazon has already stopped accepting new Chime accounts as of February 19, 2025. This move signals a significant shift in Amazon’s approach to online meetings.
What Existing Users Can Expect
Until the official shutdown date, current customers can continue to:
- Schedule and host meetings
- Add and manage users
- Utilize features in the Amazon Chime administration console
It’s important to note that the Amazon Chime SDK will remain unaffected by this shutdown.
Recommended Alternatives for Chime Users
Amazon suggests that users start transitioning to alternative web meeting services. Recommended platforms include:
Customers are advised to back up and delete their data before the shutdown to ensure a smooth transition.
Background on Amazon Chime
Initially launched in 2017 with a focus on business communication, Chime struggled to gain traction beyond Amazon’s ecosystem. According to reports from Business Insider, this lack of widespread adoption was a key factor in its discontinuation.
Official Statement from Amazon
In an email to TechCrunch, an Amazon spokesperson explained, “When we decide to retire a service or feature, it is typically because we’ve introduced something better or our partners offer a solution that is a good fit for our customers as well as our own employees.” The spokesperson elaborated that Chime’s limited use outside of Amazon, combined with robust offerings from partner companies, led to the decision to focus on more effective collaboration solutions.
As the technology landscape evolves, users are encouraged to explore these alternatives to ensure their communication needs are met following the Chime shutdown.