Fliegenglas
Fliegenglas Verlag GmbH is a Swiss-owned mobile audiobook streaming app for iOS and Android that publishes and distributes unabridged philosophy, science (Spektrum der Wissenschaft), and literature audiobooks to DACH-region consumers via category subscriptions and one-time purchases.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersZürich, Switzerland
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Fliegenglas does
Fliegenglas Verlag GmbH is a privately held Swiss audiobook publisher and mobile streaming platform headquartered in Zürich, founded in 2019 by Andrea Anderheggen. The company produces and distributes unabridged audiobooks in three content verticals: philosophical original works (Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Wittgenstein, Seneca), science journalism from Spektrum der Wissenschaft and its sibling magazines (Gehirn&Geist, Spektrum Psychologie, Spektrum Kompakt, Spektrum Geschichte, Sterne und Weltraum), and literature classics. Distribution is exclusively through a proprietary Fliegenglas mobile app on iOS and Android, plus the fliegenglas.com website; no desktop player or MP3 download option exists, and the service supports offline download, variable playback speed (0.5x–2x+), and screen-reader accessibility (VoiceOver/TalkBack).
The business model is primarily subscription-recurring revenue via four category-specific plans priced at €4.99–€9.99/month (Spektrum, Philosophy, Literature, Abenteuer Philosophie), each with a 7-day free trial and unlimited streaming within the category. Supplementary revenue streams include one-time individual audiobook purchases (€9.99–€12.99), annual gift subscriptions sold as 10 months for the price of 12, a Student Edition tier, and free introductory titles such as Der Kleine Prinz. Payment processing is handled via Stripe, PayPal, Klarna/Sofortüberweisung, and major credit cards, with subscriptions purchasable through Apple IAP and Google Play billing on mobile. The company is 100% founder-owned, has approximately 27 employees (professional narrators, editors, developers), and has raised no external funding.
Customer acquisition combines product-led growth (mobile app store presence, free trial funnel, free in-app titles, YouTube/Instagram audio samples) with a B2B2C channel-partner motion through publishing houses — Spektrum, Suhrkamp, Meiner Verlag, and Abenteuer Philosophie — which supply rights and co-market to their audiences. The company is a partner-member of the German Booksellers Association (Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels) and operates primarily in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), with global app availability but no disclosed market build-out beyond DACH.
Fliegenglas firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fliegenglas
- Legal name
- Fliegenglas Verlag GmbH
- Website
- https://fliegenglas.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Fliegenglas Verlag GmbH is a Swiss-owned mobile audiobook streaming app for iOS and Android that publishes and distributes unabridged philosophy, science (Spektrum der Wissenschaft), and literature audiobooks to DACH-region consumers via category subscriptions and one-time purchases.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fliegenglas industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Audiobook Streaming Service
- NAICS
- Book Publishers (513130), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Audiobook Retail & Subscription Platforms (Direct-to-Consumer) (MPAJAIAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Audiobook Publishers (Trade & Consumer) (MPAJAIAA), Audiobook Production & Studios (Narration, Recording, Editing, Mastering) (MPAJAIAB), Audiobook & Spoken-Word Streaming Platforms (MPAIADAE)
Keywords
Where Fliegenglas is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zürich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Fliegenglas business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Monthly Audiobook Subscriptions: Recurring monthly subscription revenue from four audiobook series (Spektrum der Wissenschaft, Philosophy, Literature, Abenteuer Philosophie). Each subscription grants unlimited access to all audiobooks within the respective series. Billed monthly at 4.99€–9.99€/month with a 7-day free trial on standard plans.
- Single Audiobook Purchases: One-time purchase of individual audiobooks (A-la-Carte), typically priced at 9.99€–12.99€ per title. No subscription required. First purchase limited to 100€ total for security reasons.
- Gift Subscriptions: Time-limited annual gift subscriptions (12 months prepaid, billed as 10 months), offered as presents for other users. Sold via website.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Spektrum der Wissenschaft Abo (without trial) – unlimited access to all Spektrum science audiobooks |
| Subscription | Monthly | Philosophy Abo (without trial) – unlimited access to all philosophy audiobooks |
| Subscription | Monthly | Literature Abo (without trial) – unlimited access to all literature audiobooks |
| Subscription | Monthly | Abenteuer Philosophie Abo (without trial) – unlimited access to all Abenteuer Philosophie audiobooks |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Individual audiobook (single purchase) – one-time purchase of a single audiobook |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Gift Subscription (1-year limited) – annual subscription pre-paid, auto-expires after 12 months |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Fliegenglas product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fliegenglas produces and distributes audiobooks focused on philosophy, science, and literature through its proprietary mobile streaming application (iOS/Android) and website. The company offers four category-specific monthly subscriptions (4.99-9.99 EUR/month) that grant unlimited access to audiobooks within each category, plus individual audiobook purchases (9.99-12.99 EUR per title) and gift subscriptions. The catalog features exclusive, unabridged original philosophical works and Spektrum der Wissenschaft science content produced in collaboration with publishing partners.
Product overview
Fliegenglas is an audiobook publishing company and streaming platform that produces and distributes audiobooks in the categories of philosophy, science (with a focus on Spektrum publications), and literature. The core offering consists of a mobile streaming application available for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, combined with four category-specific subscription plans (Spektrum Abo, Philosophie Abo, Literatur Abo, Abenteuer Philosophie Abo) that provide unlimited access to audiobooks within each category. Individual audiobook purchases are also available for users who prefer one-time purchases over subscriptions. Additional offerings include a free trial week, a Student Edition tier, and limited-time gift subscriptions. Content is delivered exclusively through the mobile app and website as a streaming service, with no MP3 download option. The company also offers free introductory audiobooks and has established partnerships with publishers including Spektrum, Suhrkamp, Meiner Verlag, and Abenteuer Philosophie.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Spektrum der Wissenschaft Abo (Science Subscription) Monthly subscription providing unlimited streaming access to all audiobooks in the Spektrum der Wissenschaft series, including Spektrum der Wissenschaft, Gehirn&Geist, Spektrum Psychologie, Spektrum Kompakt, Spektrum Geschichte, and Sterne und Weltraum. Priced at 8.99 EUR per month after a 7-day free trial; cancel anytime. Targeted at adult science enthusiasts in German-speaking markets.
- Philosophie Abo (Philosophy Subscription) Monthly subscription providing unlimited streaming access to all philosophy audiobooks, including unabridged original works by Plato, Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, Seneca, Wittgenstein, and other classical philosophers. Priced at 9.99 EUR per month after a 7-day free trial; cancel anytime. Targeted at adult philosophy enthusiasts seeking exclusive original works not available on competing platforms.
- Literatur Abo (Literature Subscription) Monthly subscription offering unlimited streaming access to all literature audiobooks, including classics and works by contemporary authors such as Ibsen, Stefan Zweig, and Marit Persiel. Priced at 5.99 EUR per month after a 7-day free trial; cancel anytime. Targeted at adult readers interested in German-language literature.
- Abenteuer Philosophie Abo (Abenteuer Philosophie Subscription) Monthly subscription providing unlimited streaming access to all Abenteuer Philosophie audiobooks, a philosophy magazine covering topics such as forgiveness, beauty, Kant's 300th anniversary, and philosophical perspectives. Priced at 4.99 EUR per month after a 7-day free trial; cancel anytime. Targeted at philosophy enthusiasts interested in magazine-format philosophical content.
- Einzelhörbücher (Individual Audiobook Purchases) One-time purchase of individual audiobooks (A-la-Carte) priced typically between 9.99 EUR and 12.99 EUR per title. No subscription required. Some titles offered at promotional discounts, and select titles (e.g., Der Kleine Prinz) are available free. Available for individual consumers who prefer single purchases over subscriptions.
- Geschenk-Abos (Gift Subscriptions) Time-limited annual subscription packages available as gifts, billed as 10 months for 12 months of service. Auto-expires after 12 months with no cancellation required. Available for Spektrum, Philosophy, and Literature series. Sold via the fliegenglas.com website.
- Student Edition Special subscription tier designed for students, providing access to educational audiobook content including philosophy, science, and literature titles relevant to academic curricula. Targeted at the 8M+ school students and 2.8M university students in Germany seeking supplementary learning aids.
- Fliegenglas Mobile App (iOS & Android) Proprietary mobile application for streaming and offline listening to unabridged philosophy, science, and literature audiobooks. Supports iOS 6+ (iPhone/iPad) and Android 8.0+. Features offline download, variable playback speed, VoiceOver and TalkBack accessibility support, and in-app subscription purchase via Apple IAP and Google Play billing.
Quantifiable outcome
- In a 2021 survey of university professors, 53% agreed that audiobooks can serve as a useful supplement and learning aid for reading philosophical original works.
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Fliegenglas
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Fliegenglas technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature4 records
Fliegenglas partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Spektrum der Wissenschaft (Spektrum)coreFliegenglas is a key cooperation partner for Spektrum der Wissenschaft, producing and distributing audiobooks of Spektrum magazine content (including Spektrum der Wissenschaft, Gehirn&Geist, Spektrum Psychologie, Spektrum Kompakt, Spektrum Geschichte, Sterne und Weltraum, Physik). This is a core content partnership providing the majority of the science audiobook catalog.
- Suhrkamp VerlagcoreSuhrkamp Verlag is a cooperation partner providing rights for audiobooks of philosophical and literary works published by Suhrkamp, a major German-language publishing house.
- Meiner VerlagcoreMeiner Verlag is a cooperation partner providing rights for audiobooks of philosophical works. Meiner is a specialized German philosophy publisher.
- Abenteuer PhilosophiemajorFliegenglas partners with Abenteuer Philosophie magazine to produce and distribute audiobook versions of their philosophy magazine content, including topics such as forgiveness, beauty, Kant's 300th anniversary, and philosophical perspectives.
- Börsenverein des Deutschen BuchhandelsminorFliegenglas is a partner-member of the German Booksellers Association (Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels), the main industry association for the German book trade.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Fliegenglas competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BookBeat: Bonnier-owned audiobook streaming flatrate focused on the German-speaking market. Directly comparable to Fliegenglas on subscription streaming of German audiobooks across mobile apps, with similar monthly pricing tiers.
- Skoobe: German audiobook and e-book flatrate from the Bastei Lübbe / Holtzbrinck publishing ecosystem. Directly comparable to Fliegenglas on subscription-based unlimited audiobook streaming for German readers, including mobile-first access.
- Bookmate: Subscription audiobook and e-book platform with a sizable German-language catalog. Comparable to Fliegenglas on subscription streaming mechanics and cross-device mobile access for European-language content.
- Legimi: Polish audiobook and e-book subscription service expanded into Germany. Directly comparable to Fliegenglas on subscription-led audiobook streaming with monthly tiers and mobile app delivery, though broader in content scope.
- Storytel: Swedish audiobook and e-book subscription service with a strong German-language catalog and direct DACH presence. Closely comparable to Fliegenglas on subscription-led streaming, mobile-first access, and unlimited-listening model.
- Audible (Amazon): Amazon-owned audiobook subscription platform and the dominant player in the German audiobook market. Directly competes with Fliegenglas for German-speaking subscribers across monthly subscriptions, à-la-carte purchases, and mobile app listening, with vastly broader catalog and Amazon Prime bundling.
- Nextory: Swedish audiobook and e-book subscription service with a dedicated German-market offering. Comparable to Fliegenglas on unlimited-streaming subscription mechanics, mobile app delivery, and DACH subscriber acquisition.
Emerging players
- Podimo: Danish-origin podcast and audiobook subscription platform active in Germany. Adjacent peer to Fliegenglas: smaller-scale European subscription audio platform, but podcasts-led rather than audiobook-originals-led.
Regional players
- Thalia (Hörbücher): Major German bookstore chain with its own audiobook digital offering. Comparable to Fliegenglas in selling German-language audiobooks to DACH consumers, but distributes via retail plus partnership rather than a focused subscription app.
Broad incumbents
- Spotify: Global audio streaming incumbent that has expanded into audiobooks, bundling audiobook hours into Premium subscriptions. While not a niche audiobook publisher, Spotify competes for the same DACH listening time as Fliegenglas with vastly broader reach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Fliegenglas social profiles
Digital presenceFliegenglas financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fliegenglas leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Fliegenglas funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Fliegenglas 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 Fliegenglas
What does Fliegenglas do?
Fliegenglas produces and distributes audiobooks focused on philosophy, science, and literature through its proprietary mobile streaming application (iOS/Android) and website. The company offers four category-specific monthly subscriptions (4.99-9.99 EUR/month) that grant unlimited access to audiobooks within each category, plus individual audiobook purchases (9.99-12.99 EUR per title) and gift subscriptions. The catalog features exclusive, unabridged original philosophical works and Spektrum der Wissenschaft science content produced in collaboration with publishing partners.
Is Fliegenglas a public or private company?
Fliegenglas is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Fliegenglas founded?
Fliegenglas was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Fliegenglas based?
Fliegenglas is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Fliegenglas make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Monthly Audiobook Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are single Audiobook Purchases and gift Subscriptions.
Who are Fliegenglas's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BookBeat, Skoobe, Bookmate, Legimi, Storytel, Audible (Amazon) and Nextory. Podimo is listed as an emerging player. Thalia (Hörbücher) is listed as a regional player. Spotify is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Fliegenglas have an API?
No public API is recorded for Fliegenglas.
What industry is Fliegenglas in?
Fliegenglas's product category is Audiobook Streaming Service. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAIAD, Audiobook Retail & Subscription Platforms (Direct-to-Consumer), with a secondary code of MPAJAIAA, Audiobook Publishers (Trade & Consumer). Its NAICS code is 513130 and its SIC code is 2731.