Storytel
Storytel is a Stockholm-based subscription streaming service providing unlimited access to 700,000+ audiobooks and e-books across 40+ languages to consumers in 25+ countries via mobile apps and web.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersStockholm, Sweden
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Storytel does
Storytel AB is a Stockholm-headquartered, publicly listed subscription streaming service founded in 2005 that provides unlimited access to audiobooks and e-books to consumers worldwide. Its core product, Storytel Unlimited, grants subscribers on-demand access to a catalog of 700,000–800,000+ titles spanning 40+ languages, delivered through country-localized iOS/Android mobile applications, web reader, and offline download functionality. The company operates across 25+ countries spanning Scandinavia, continental Europe, Asia Pacific (India, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand), Latin America (Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Chile), the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel), and North America via its Audiobooks.com subsidiary.
The platform is differentiated by three reinforcing layers: (1) the multilingual content library itself, including the Storytel Originals sub-brand for platform-exclusive productions and a Kids Mode that isolates a curated children's catalog for family use; (2) localized pricing and country-specific storefronts with subscription tiers at roughly USD-equivalent 7.99–9.99 per month, plus 6-month and annual plans and prepaid gift cards; and (3) a vertically integrated publishing footprint built through acquisitions of Norstedts, Gummerus, People'sPress, Lind & Co, and Overamstel Publishers, which strengthen both content economics and regional presence. The Audiobooks.com acquisition (USD 135M from KKR, closed November 2021) anchors U.S. market entry.
Commercially, Storytel operates a pure direct-to-consumer subscription model with no disclosed enterprise tier; revenue accrues from monthly, semi-annual, and annual recurring subscriptions supplemented by gift-card sales. As of Q1 2026, the company reported 2.74 million paying subscribers, 8% constant-currency revenue growth, and an EBITDA margin of 17% (up from 14% year prior), with a SEK 220M net cash position. Major institutional shareholders include EQT Public Value (9.7% stake) and Otava Ltd (3.5%), with founder Lars Wingefors as a continuing insider. The company is preparing to uplist from its current venue to the NASDAQ Stockholm main market in Q2 2026.
Storytel firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Storytel
- Legal name
- Storytel AB
- Website
- https://storytel.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Storytel is a Stockholm-based subscription streaming service providing unlimited access to 700,000+ audiobooks and e-books across 40+ languages to consumers in 25+ countries via mobile apps and web.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Storytel industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Audiobook and eBook Streaming
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Audiobook & Spoken-Word Streaming Platforms (MPAIADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Digital Content & Media Subscriptions (CRAFAIAA)
Keywords
Where Storytel is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stockholm
- HQ country
- Sweden
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Storytel business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Subscription Revenue: Monthly, semi-annual, and annual subscription plans providing unlimited access to audiobooks and eBooks. Subscription tiers vary by region with pricing from approximately $7.99-9.99 USD equivalent per month for Unlimited access.
- Gift Cards: Prepaid gift cards available in denominations of 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, valid for 2 years from purchase date. Sold directly to consumers in regional markets.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Storytel Unlimited monthly subscription in Saudi Arabia |
| Subscription | Annual | Storytel Unlimited annual subscription in Saudi Arabia |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Storytel Unlimited 6-month subscription in Saudi Arabia |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Gift Cards (1-12 months) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Storytel Unlimited International |
| Subscription | Monthly | Storytel Unlimited Latin America |
| Subscription | Monthly | Storytel Unlimited India |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Storytel product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Storytel operates a subscription-based streaming service that provides unlimited access to audiobooks and e-books via mobile applications and a web platform. The service spans 25+ countries with localized content in 40+ languages, totaling 700,000-800,000+ titles, and includes features such as offline downloads, Kids Mode, and exclusive original content under the Storytel Originals sub-brand.
Product overview
Storytel is a global digital publishing and streaming platform providing an integrated service combining audiobook and ebook subscription access. Its core product is the Storytel Unlimited subscription, which grants unlimited listening and reading to a library of over 800,000 titles across 40 languages. The platform is structured as a multi-regional offering with country-specific apps (e.g., India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Latin America, and a general International version) each featuring local-language content, pricing, and curated catalogs. Supporting the core subscription are two named sub-products: Storytel Originals (exclusive, platform-only content including original series, fiction, and crime titles) and Kids Mode (a child-safe reading/listening environment). The service is delivered via mobile apps (iOS, Android) and a web reader, and is also available through gift cards in select markets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Storytel Originals: Exclusive, captivating stories tailored for listeners - immersive experience from start to end
- Kids Mode
Products and services
- Storytel Unlimited Storytel's flagship audiobook and eBook streaming subscription service providing unlimited access to a library of 700,000-800,000+ titles across 40+ languages, accessible via mobile apps (iOS, Android) and web reader with offline download capability. Targeted at individual consumers and families for personal entertainment, commute, travel, and leisure reading/listening.
- Storytel Originals Exclusive original content series available only on the Storytel platform, including original fiction, crime titles, and immersive audio series tailored for audio listeners.
- Storytel Regional Country Apps Storytel operates country-specific versions of its streaming platform across Europe (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Bulgaria, Iceland, Estonia, Turkey, Belgium, Netherlands), Latin America (Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Chile), Asia (India, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore), and the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel), each offering local-language content and pricing.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2.74 million paying subscribers as of Q1 2026, up from 2.67 million at start of year
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Storytel
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Storytel technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Storytel partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Audiobooks.comcoreStorytel signed agreement to acquire Audiobooks.com from KKR for USD 135 million to expand into the U.S. audiobook market. The acquisition aims to leverage Audiobooks.com's strong presence and technological integration to support Storytel's global growth strategy.
- Overamstel PublisherscoreStorytel Group announced acquisition of 100% of independent Dutch and Belgian publisher Overamstel Publishers, strengthening its publishing footprint in the Benelux region. Overamstel generated €17.4 million in revenue and €1.3 million in adjusted EBITDA in 2025.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Storytel competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BookBeat: BookBeat is a Bonnier-owned audiobook and e-book streaming service operating across European markets, directly overlapping with Storytel's core Nordic and European footprint. Both target consumers with unlimited-listening subscription models in multiple languages.
- Audible (Amazon): Audible is the global market leader in audiobook subscription services and the most direct competitor to Storytel. Both operate subscription-based unlimited audiobook listening models targeting similar consumer segments, though Audible benefits from Amazon's ecosystem and Prime bundling.
- Scribd: Scribd offers subscription access to audiobooks, e-books, magazines, and documents, directly competing with Storytel's combined audiobook/e-book subscription model. Both target value-oriented consumers seeking unlimited digital reading and listening in a single subscription.
- Podimo: Podimo is a European podcast and audiobook subscription platform with operations overlapping Storytel's European markets. Both compete for consumer audio entertainment spend via subscription models with localized content.
- Everand (Scribd): Everand is Scribd's rebranded audiobook and e-book subscription service, offering unlimited listening and reading access similar to Storytel's model. Both target consumers seeking an all-in-one digital book subscription.
- Nextory: Nextory is a subscription-based audiobook and e-book streaming service operating primarily in European markets. It directly competes with Storytel on pricing, content library, and family-friendly subscription tiers.
Broad incumbents
- Apple Books: Apple Books offers audiobook and e-book purchasing and listening within the Apple ecosystem. While not a pure subscription model like Storytel, Apple represents a broad incumbent in digital book/audio distribution with significant ecosystem advantages.
- Spotify: Spotify is the global leader in audio streaming and has expanded into audiobooks, directly overlapping with Storytel's core offering. While its primary focus remains music and podcasts, Spotify's audiobook expansion makes it a broad incumbent competitor for audio subscription wallet share.
- Google Play Books: Google Play Books offers audiobook and e-book purchasing and subscription access across Android devices, overlapping with Storytel's distribution channels. As a broad incumbent, Google represents both a competitor and a key distribution platform through the Play Store.
Emerging players
- Libro.fm: Libro.fm is an audiobook subscription service with an independent bookstore affiliate model, targeting consumers who prefer to support local bookstores. It represents an emerging niche player competing with Storytel on audiobook subscription access.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Storytel social profiles
Digital presenceStorytel financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Storytel leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Storytel subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Storytel funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Storytel M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A14 records
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Storytel
What does Storytel do?
Storytel operates a subscription-based streaming service that provides unlimited access to audiobooks and e-books via mobile applications and a web platform. The service spans 25+ countries with localized content in 40+ languages, totaling 700,000-800,000+ titles, and includes features such as offline downloads, Kids Mode, and exclusive original content under the Storytel Originals sub-brand.
Is Storytel a public or private company?
Storytel is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Storytel founded?
Storytel was founded in 2005. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Storytel based?
Storytel is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, in the Europe region.
How does Storytel make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Subscription Revenue is the primary driver. The others are gift Cards.
Who are Storytel's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BookBeat, Audible (Amazon), Scribd, Podimo, Everand (Scribd) and Nextory. Broad incumbents are Apple Books, Spotify and Google Play Books. Libro.fm is listed as an emerging player.
Does Storytel have an API?
No public API is recorded for Storytel.
What industry is Storytel in?
Storytel's product category is Audiobook and eBook Streaming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIADAE, Audiobook & Spoken-Word Streaming Platforms, with a secondary code of CRAFAIAA, Digital Content & Media Subscriptions. Its NAICS code is 51621 and its SIC code is 7822.