Audiobooks
Audiobooks.com, a wholly owned subsidiary of Swedish-listed Storytel AB, operates a US digital audiobook subscription platform offering 700,000+ premium and 10,000+ free titles to consumers and enterprises via web, iOS, and Android apps with CarPlay and Android Auto support.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersBurlington, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Audiobooks does
Audiobooks.com, operating as Storytel Audiobooks USA LLC, is a US-based digital audiobook subscription platform founded in 2011 and wholly owned by Swedish-listed parent Storytel AB. The platform provides streaming and download access to a catalog of more than 700,000 premium audiobook titles alongside a library of over 10,000 always-free audiobooks, delivered through a web interface and native iOS and Android applications that together have surpassed 10 million cumulative downloads. CarPlay and Android Auto integrations extend the service into in-vehicle listening, and the product surface includes the VIP Rewards loyalty program, gift memberships, the AudioBlog editorial platform, and an enterprise solution (Audiobooks.com for Business) that targets workforce learning and development use cases.
The underlying technology is a cloud-based streaming and download platform with mobile applications, payment processing handled by Braintree, social login via Apple, Google, and Amazon, and traffic analytics via Google Analytics. The company is CCPA- and GDPR-compliant and uses EDPO as its EU/UK GDPR representative. There is no disclosed proprietary AI/ML capability, no patents, and no public research output; the technology stack is positioned as standard subscription infrastructure with broad device and platform integration.
The business model is a freemium subscription: a 30-day free trial yields three audiobooks (one from the full catalog plus two from the curated VIP selection), after which the consumer auto-renews into either the 1 Credit Plan at $14.95/month or the 2 Credit Plan at $19.95/month, each including one VIP bonus selection. Enterprise customers are served through direct sales with custom multi-year contracts and discounted bulk pricing, and gift memberships provide a prepaid acquisition channel. The company is led by founder and CEO Ed Keay-Smith and operates with 51–100 employees; it has no disclosed standalone revenue, with performance data inferable only through parent Storytel AB's group metrics (2.74 million total paying subscribers and 8% constant-currency Q1 2026 revenue growth at the group level).
Audiobooks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Audiobooks
- Legal name
- Storytel Audiobooks USA LLC
- Website
- http://www.audiobooks.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Audiobooks.com, a wholly owned subsidiary of Swedish-listed Storytel AB, operates a US digital audiobook subscription platform offering 700,000+ premium and 10,000+ free titles to consumers and enterprises via web, iOS, and Android apps with CarPlay and Android Auto support.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Audiobooks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Audiobook Streaming & Subscription
- NAICS
- Record Production and Distribution (51225)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Audiobook Retail & Subscription Platforms (Direct-to-Consumer) (MPAJAIAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Digital Books & Audiobooks Retail (E-books/Audiobooks) (CRALAAAI)
Keywords
Where Audiobooks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Burlington
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Audiobooks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Monthly Subscription (Credit-Based): Recurring monthly subscription model offering 1 or 2 audiobook credits per month plus VIP selections. Credits can be used to unlock any audiobook from the 700,000+ catalog. After 30-day free trial, subscription auto-renews at $14.95/month (1 credit) or $19.95/month (2 credits).
- Gift Memberships: Prepaid gift memberships allowing recipients to choose monthly audiobooks from the full library plus VIP selections and access to exclusive deals
- Enterprise Licensing: Bulk licensing for businesses offering discounted enterprise pricing for workforce learning, development, and culture programs. Includes employee insights reporting and curated booklists.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | 1 Credit Plan - $14.95/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | 2 Credit Plan - $19.95/month |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Gift Memberships |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Enterprise Plans |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Audiobooks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Audiobooks.com operates a digital audiobook streaming and download platform that provides subscription-based access to a catalog of over 700,000 premium audiobook titles plus 10,000 free audiobooks. Members receive monthly credits to redeem any title, plus curated VIP selections, accessible via web, iOS, and Android apps. The company also offers enterprise bulk licensing for corporate learning and development programs.
Product overview
Audiobooks.com is a digital audiobook streaming and download platform operated by Storytel Audiobooks USA LLC. The core product is a subscription-based service offering access to over 700,000 premium audiobook titles plus 10,000 free audiobooks, accessible via web platform, iOS and Android mobile apps with CarPlay and Android Auto support. The company offers two subscription tiers (1 Credit Plan at $14.95/month and 2 Credit Plan at $19.95/month), both including VIP Rewards program access featuring exclusive selections and deals. Additional offerings include gift memberships, an enterprise solution for business Learning & Development teams, and The AudioBlog editorial content platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- VIP Rewards: A loyalty program offering members bonus audiobook selections and exclusive discounts
- Audiobooks.com Enterprise
Products and services
- Audiobooks.com Platform Digital audiobook streaming and download platform offering subscription access to a library of 700,000+ premium audiobook titles plus 10,000 free audiobooks, available via web, iOS, and Android apps with CarPlay and AndroidAuto integration. Designed for individual consumers seeking audio entertainment and learning.
- Audiobooks.com Gift Memberships Prepaid digital gift memberships that grant recipients monthly audiobook choices from the 700,000-title library plus 1 monthly VIP selection and access to exclusive sales and deals. Redeemable online via gift code and targeted at individuals buying gifts for audiobook listeners.
- Audiobooks.com for Business (Enterprise) Enterprise solution providing bulk audiobook licensing for corporate Learning & Development, employee engagement, and culture building. Includes monthly employee usage reports, curated booklists highlighting thought leaders and award winners, CarPlay and AndroidAuto integration, and discounted enterprise pricing. Targeted at companies and HR/L&D teams deploying audio content across the workforce.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10,000,000+ app downloads demonstrating platform adoption
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Audiobooks
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Audiobooks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature4 records
Audiobooks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Audiobooks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Chirp: Deals-focused audiobook marketplace offering discounted audiobook purchases rather than subscription. An alternative purchase model to Audiobooks.com's subscription credit model, targeting price-sensitive consumers.
- Hoopla (Midwest Tape): Library digital lending platform offering audiobooks, ebooks, and other media through public library partnerships. Indirectly competes with Audiobooks.com for consumer audiobook listening via a no-cost-to-consumer model.
Direct peers
- Audible (Amazon): Market-leading audiobook subscription service owned by Amazon, offering credit-based memberships, Audible Originals exclusives, and integration with the Amazon ecosystem. Directly competes with Audiobooks.com's subscription-based, catalog-driven model.
- Scribd (Everand): Subscription platform offering unlimited access to audiobooks, ebooks, and documents under the Everand brand. Competes directly with Audiobooks.com on subscription pricing and unlimited-style listening versus credit-based pricing.
- Spotify: Major music streaming platform that has expanded aggressively into audiobooks with bundled offerings for premium subscribers. A direct competitor stealing audiobook listening share through bundled pricing leverage.
- Libro.fm: Independent-focused audiobook subscription platform offering one credit per month with revenue share to indie bookstores. Competes with Audiobooks.com on credit-based subscription model with a differentiation around indie bookstore partnerships.
- Kobo (Rakuten): Ebook and audiobook subscription and retail platform owned by Rakuten, offering Kobo Plus subscription and integrated device/app ecosystem. Comparable to Audiobooks.com as a multi-format reading subscription service.
Broad incumbents
- Apple Books: Apple's first-party ebook and audiobook store built into iOS and CarPlay, leveraging Apple's device ecosystem and bundles. While broader than Audiobooks.com, it competes directly for audiobook listening on Apple devices.
- Google Play Books: Google's ebook and audiobook storefront integrated with Android, Google Home, and Android Auto, offering purchase and subscription access. Competes with Audiobooks.com's Android app and AndroidAuto listening experience.
Others
- Storytel AB: Parent company of Audiobooks.com operating the Storytel and Mofibo audiobook and ebook subscription brands across the Nordics and Europe. Related party and ultimate parent rather than a direct competitor in North America, but operates the same core subscription business in adjacent geographies.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Audiobooks social profiles
Digital presenceAudiobooks compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Audiobooks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Audiobooks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Audiobooks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Audiobooks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Audiobooks
What does Audiobooks do?
Audiobooks.com operates a digital audiobook streaming and download platform that provides subscription-based access to a catalog of over 700,000 premium audiobook titles plus 10,000 free audiobooks. Members receive monthly credits to redeem any title, plus curated VIP selections, accessible via web, iOS, and Android apps. The company also offers enterprise bulk licensing for corporate learning and development programs.
Is Audiobooks a public or private company?
Audiobooks is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Audiobooks founded?
Audiobooks was founded in 2012. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Audiobooks based?
Audiobooks is headquartered in Burlington, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Audiobooks make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Monthly Subscription (Credit-Based) is the primary driver. The others are gift Memberships and enterprise Licensing.
Who are Audiobooks's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Chirp and Hoopla (Midwest Tape). Direct peers are Audible (Amazon), Scribd (Everand), Spotify, Libro.fm and Kobo (Rakuten). Broad incumbents are Apple Books and Google Play Books. Storytel AB is listed as an others.
Does Audiobooks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Audiobooks.
What industry is Audiobooks in?
Audiobooks's product category is Audiobook Streaming & Subscription. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAIAD, Audiobook Retail & Subscription Platforms (Direct-to-Consumer), with a secondary code of CRALAAAI, Digital Books & Audiobooks Retail (E-books/Audiobooks). Its NAICS code is 51225.