Amazon Chime is Stopping—Here’s Why and What to Use Instead
AWS rarely shuts down a service without a clear reason, and Amazon Chime is no exception. While some might see this as another case of Amazon killing off an underperforming product, it’s actually a predictable move if you know what to look for. AWS services that lack polish or broad external adoption often get cut, and Chime fits that pattern.
Amazon Chime started as an attempt to compete with video conferencing giants like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, but it never gained widespread traction outside AWS itself. Most businesses using Chime did so because it was bundled into Amazon Connect, AWS’s call center solution, rather than choosing it as a standalone meeting platform. Even internally, Amazon reportedly favored Zoom and Microsoft 365 tools over its own service. Now, AWS is redirecting its focus, confirming that Chime will be discontinued on February 20, 2026.
So, if you're currently using Amazon Chime, what are the best alternatives? Let’s break down how the top contenders compare in functionality and features.
1. Zoom – The Gold Standard for Video Calls
Zoom set the benchmark for modern video conferencing. It offers high-quality video and audio, virtual backgrounds, screen sharing, and webinar hosting. Compared to Chime, Zoom has a larger user base, better third-party integrations, and more enterprise-grade features. It’s the go-to choice for businesses that prioritize a polished, easy-to-use video call experience.
2. Microsoft Teams – Perfect for Microsoft 365 Users
If your company runs on Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams is the obvious choice. It combines chat, video calls, file sharing, and deep integration with Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive. Chime had some meeting capabilities, but Teams goes further with persistent chat, threaded conversations, and extensive third-party app support.
3. Google Meet – Simple, Secure, and Google-Friendly
For companies in the Google ecosystem, Google Meet is a natural replacement. It integrates seamlessly with Google Calendar, Gmail, and Google Drive, offering encrypted video calls, live captions, and easy meeting scheduling. If Chime’s simplicity was a plus for you, Google Meet provides a similar lightweight experience, but with stronger reliability.
4. Cisco Webex – Enterprise-Grade Security & AI Features
For companies that need enterprise security and AI-powered features, Webex is a strong contender. Webex Meetings include end-to-end encryption, AI noise cancellation, real-time transcription, and advanced meeting analytics. While Chime was serviceable, Webex brings a much higher level of sophistication.
5. Slack – Best for Chat-First Collaboration
Slack isn’t just a messaging app—it also has built-in video conferencing. If your team already lives in Slack, using its native video calls (or integrating Zoom or Google Meet) can make collaboration seamless. Unlike Chime, which focused on meetings, Slack provides ongoing, channel-based communication alongside video.
What This Means for AWS Users
AWS's decision to discontinue Amazon Chime isn’t a failure—it’s a strategic move. AWS doesn’t keep services around unless they have strong adoption and long-term viability. Chime was never a dominant player in the video conferencing space, and with AWS focusing on cloud infrastructure over end-user applications, its fate was sealed.
If you’re an AWS user relying on Chime, now’s the time to migrate. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet are the best alternatives, depending on your ecosystem. The shutdown of Chime is just another example of how AWS prioritizes its most impactful services while letting go of those that don’t keep up.
So, what’s your move? Time to pick a replacement before February 2026 rolls around.
At least AWS is not killing services at the same rate as Google
