Steganos
Steganos Software GmbH is a German developer of consumer privacy and security software founded in 1996, offering a cross-platform VPN plus a privacy suite, password manager, and encrypted data storage for individual users and small businesses worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Steganos does
Steganos Software GmbH is a German privately held developer of consumer and small-business privacy and security software, founded in 1996 and headquartered in Karlsruhe. Its portfolio centers on Steganos VPN Online Shield, a cross-platform VPN with 219 servers across 37 countries and 256-bit AES encryption, supported by Steganos Privacy Suite, Password Manager, Data Safe (encrypted storage), and LockNote 2 (secure notes). The company sells directly to individual consumers and home offices through its own e-commerce site and the Microsoft, Google, and Apple app stores, and also distributes partner products (Nero TuneItUp PRO, Nero DuplicateManager) as ancillary affiliate revenue. It claims industry firsts in commercial steganography and AES encryption, has received Webby Awards for products developed by co-founder Gabriel Yoran, and operates under German/GDPR privacy law as a marketed differentiator, while remaining a small bootstrapped organization with no disclosed institutional funding.
The business model is primarily annual and multi-year consumer subscriptions (advertised at roughly $50/year and $80/two years), with a monthly plan and legacy perpetual licenses for some products. Go-to-market is product-led: free trials and direct download from the website, organic social presence (Facebook, X), email newsletters, and app-store distribution. The customer base is described as millions of users globally, but revenue, headcount growth, funding, and post-2020 product activity are not disclosed in the available sources, indicating a sub-scale, self-funded operator competing in a consumer VPN market dominated by larger, well-funded brands.
Steganos firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Steganos
- Legal name
- Steganos Software GmbH
- Website
- https://steganos.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Steganos Software GmbH is a German developer of consumer privacy and security software founded in 1996, offering a cross-platform VPN plus a privacy suite, password manager, and encrypted data storage for individual users and small businesses worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Steganos industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Privacy & Security Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Key Management, Encryption & Secrets Management (KMS/HSM/Vault) (HDABAHAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Secure/Encrypted Messaging (BPAMACAG)
Keywords
Where Steganos is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Steganos business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Software Licenses (Annual Subscription): Annual subscription model for VPN and privacy products with tiered pricing based on subscription length. Includes unlimited data volume and regular updates.
- Software Licenses (Perpetual): One-time purchase option available for certain products, with the option to upgrade to newer versions.
- Partner Product Distribution: Revenue from distributing partner products such as Nero TuneItUp PRO and Nero DuplicateManager through the Steganos platform.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly Plan - Basic VPN protection |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Plan - Most Popular |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 2-Year Plan - Best Value |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels4 records
Steganos product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Steganos develops and sells consumer-focused privacy and security software, with Steganos VPN Online Shield as the flagship offering — a VPN service that encrypts internet traffic with 256-bit AES and routes it through 219 servers across 37 countries. The portfolio is rounded out by Steganos Privacy Suite (an integrated data protection package), Steganos Password Manager (credential management), Steganos Data Safe (encrypted file containers), and Steganos LockNote 2 (encrypted notes), available via direct download, subscriptions, and major app stores for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
Product overview
Steganos is a German IT security company offering a portfolio of privacy and security software products. The core offering includes Steganos VPN Online Shield as the flagship VPN solution, complemented by Steganos Privacy Suite as a comprehensive data protection package, Steganos Password Manager for credential management, Steganos Data Safe for encrypted data storage, and Steganos LockNote 2 for secure note-taking. The products operate as standalone offerings that address different aspects of digital privacy and security, from anonymous browsing to encrypted local storage and password management.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Steganos VPN Online Shield: VPN solution for anonymous and secure internet browsing across all devices.
- Steganos Privacy Suite
- Steganos Password Manager
- Steganos Data Safe
- Steganos LockNote 2
- mySteganos
Products and services
- Steganos VPN Online Shield A VPN (Virtual Private Network) solution that encrypts internet connections with 256-bit AES and routes traffic through 219 servers in 37 countries. It hides IP addresses, protects users on public WiFi, supports downloads beyond browser traffic, and works on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Targeted at privacy-conscious individual consumers and small/home-office users.
- Steganos Privacy Suite Comprehensive privacy and data protection package offering encryption for photos, documents, and contact data along with online anonymity features. Targeted at consumers seeking an integrated bundle of encryption, VPN, and privacy tools.
- Steganos Password Manager Password management solution for securely storing and managing passwords across devices. Targeted at individual consumers who need encrypted credential storage.
- Steganos Data Safe
Quantifiable outcome
- Global server network covering 37 countries
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Steganos
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Steganos technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Steganos partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- NerominorNero products including Nero TuneItUp PRO and Nero DuplicateManager are distributed through Steganos as partner products. Steganos displays Nero products as recommended software alongside their own offerings on the website.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Steganos competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Steganos social profiles
Digital presenceSteganos financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Steganos leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Steganos funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Steganos 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 Steganos
What does Steganos do?
Steganos develops and sells consumer-focused privacy and security software, with Steganos VPN Online Shield as the flagship offering — a VPN service that encrypts internet traffic with 256-bit AES and routes it through 219 servers across 37 countries. The portfolio is rounded out by Steganos Privacy Suite (an integrated data protection package), Steganos Password Manager (credential management), Steganos Data Safe (encrypted file containers), and Steganos LockNote 2 (encrypted notes), available via direct download, subscriptions, and major app stores for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
Is Steganos a public or private company?
Steganos is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Steganos founded?
Steganos was founded in 1996. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Steganos based?
Steganos is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Steganos make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses (Annual Subscription) is the primary driver. The others are software Licenses (Perpetual) and partner Product Distribution.
Does Steganos have an API?
No public API is recorded for Steganos.
What industry is Steganos in?
Steganos's product category is Privacy & Security Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDABAHAG, Key Management, Encryption & Secrets Management (KMS/HSM/Vault), with a secondary code of BPAMACAG, Secure/Encrypted Messaging. Its NAICS code is 5132.