epubli GmbH
epubli GmbH is a Berlin-based self-publishing platform, operating since 2008 as a Neopubli GmbH brand under the Holtzbrinck group, offering free print-on-demand and eBook publishing with free ISBN, 70% author royalties, and distribution across the German book trade and seven major digital retailers for individual authors, academics, and small businesses.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What epubli GmbH does
epubli GmbH is a Berlin-based self-publishing and print-on-demand platform operating in the German-speaking market since 2008, legally structured as a brand of Neopubli GmbH and part of the Holtzbrinck publishing group. The platform enables authors to upload a manuscript and cover file, validate print readiness automatically (PDF preflight checks for resolution, bleed, color space, font embedding), configure 150+ book configurations across 12 formats, four bindings, and five paper types, and order printed books starting from a single copy through digital printing infrastructure. Publishing is offered free of charge, with free ISBN assignment, free updates, free reprints, and automatic Deutsche Nationalbibliothek deposit; authors retain all rights and earn 70% of net proceeds on every sale, leaving epubli with a 30% transaction share.
The platform extends beyond print into eBook distribution, with a one-click pathway to seven major digital retailers (Amazon Kindle, Google Play Books, Apple Books, Tolino, Kobo, Barnes & Noble NOOK, and Skoobe) and an optional €80 assisted conversion service from Word documents to ePub. Physical distribution is handled through partnerships with both major German barsortiments (KNV and Umbreit), ensuring shelf and wholesale availability across the German book trade, while the proprietary epubli Shop serves as a direct-to-consumer storefront. Complementary products include the Buchprofis marketplace (a referral hub for freelance editing, design, PR, and audio production) and Autaria, a sister company serving larger commercial print runs of 500+ copies with additional finishing options.
The customer base spans individual fiction and non-fiction authors, academics (dissertations, theses, scientific works), personal memory and keepsake creators (photo books, family chronicles, cookbooks), and small businesses using POD for brochures, catalogs, and corporate materials. The go-to-market is product-led growth: a fully self-serve web platform with no human sales intervention, supported by an SEO-driven content marketing strategy through the epubli knowledge portal, downloadable whitepapers and worksheets as lead magnets, an email newsletter, and organic social presence. Revenue is generated primarily through per-unit print sales, the 30% retain on book royalties across all distribution channels, and ancillary fees such as the €80 eBook conversion service, with volume-based print discounts scaling up to 50% off for 1,000+ copy orders.
epubli GmbH firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- epubli GmbH
- Legal name
- Neopubli GmbH
- Website
- https://epubli.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- epubli GmbH is a Berlin-based self-publishing platform, operating since 2008 as a Neopubli GmbH brand under the Holtzbrinck group, offering free print-on-demand and eBook publishing with free ISBN, 70% author royalties, and distribution across the German book trade and seven major digital retailers for individual authors, academics, and small businesses.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
epubli GmbH industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Self-Publishing and Print-on-Demand Services
- NAICS
- Book Publishers (51313), Books Printing (323117)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Book Printing (2732)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Self-Publishing Platforms (KDP-style Marketplaces & Portals) (MPAJAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Self-Publishing Distribution Aggregators (Wide E-book/Audiobook/Print) (MPAJAJAC), Cover Design, Illustration & Book Interior Design Services (MPAJAJAH), Self-Publishing & Author Platforms (BPAMAJAF)
Keywords
Where epubli GmbH is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
epubli GmbH business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Book Print Sales (Print-on-Demand): Authors and customers order printed copies of books through the platform. The platform charges per-unit production cost. Volume discounts of up to 50% are offered for larger orders (25+ units: 10%, 50+: 15%, 100+: 20%, 250+: 25%, 500+: 35%, 1000+: 50%). Delivery within Germany takes 8–10 working days; international delivery 10–14 working days. Payment via direct debit or invoice.
- eBook Conversion Service: Authors who do not have a pre-formatted ePub file can pay €80 for epubli's experts to convert their Word document (.doc, .docx, .odt) into a properly formatted eBook file.
- Author Royalty / Distribution Fee: Authors retain 70% of the net proceeds from every book sale as their author royalty/honorarium. Net proceeds = retail price minus VAT, production costs, and distribution costs. epubli retains 30%. Authors set their own retail price; minimum selling prices are enforced by the calculator. This applies to both printed books and eBooks sold through epubli's distribution network.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Publishing (Print & eBook) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Per-Unit Print Cost (starting from 1 copy) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | eBook Assisted Conversion |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Author Royalty — 70% of Net Proceeds |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
epubli GmbH product offering
Product offeringCore offering
epubli GmbH operates a self-publishing platform that enables authors to professionally print and publish books and eBooks without a traditional publisher. Authors upload manuscripts and covers, the platform validates files, assigns ISBNs, and produces books on demand starting from a single copy using digital printing technology. Authors retain 70% of net proceeds while epubli distributes the finished works through the German book trade (via KNV and Umbreit barsortiments) and major eBook platforms (Amazon, Google, Apple, Tolino, Kobo, B&N, Skoobe).
Product overview
epubli GmbH operates as a self-publishing and print-on-demand platform based in Berlin since 2008. The core offering consists of two integrated services: Buch drucken (Print on Demand printing from 1 copy) and Buch veröffentlichen (self-publishing with free ISBN and 70% royalty). These are complemented by E-Book veröffentlichen for digital distribution, a Cover-Designer tool for creating book covers, the epubli Shop as a proprietary marketplace, and Buchprofis—a marketplace connecting authors with professional service providers. The platform also provides file validation tools and free educational resources (whitepapers, worksheets) for authors. Distribution spans both physical bookstores via barsortiments (KNV, Umbreit) and major online retailers including Amazon, Google, Apple, Tolino, Kobo, B&N, and Skoobe.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Buch drucken (Print-on-Demand Book Printing) Print-on-demand book printing service enabling authors and customers to print books starting from a single copy using digital printing technology. Supports 12 formats (DIN A6 through Bildband 30x29.4cm), 4 bindings (softcover, hardcover, ringbindung, heftbindung), and 5 paper types (90-250 g/m²) with volume discounts up to 50% for 1000+ copies.
- Buch veröffentlichen (Book Publishing Service) Self-publishing service enabling authors to publish books with a free ISBN and distribution to bookstores and online shops. Authors retain 70% of net proceeds and control title, cover, content, and pricing.
- E-Book veröffentlichen (eBook Publishing Service) Digital eBook publishing service supporting ePub format with distribution to Amazon, Google, Apple, Tolino, Kobo, B&N, and Skoobe. Optional assisted conversion from Word documents available for €80.
- epubli Shop Proprietary online marketplace where published books by epubli authors are sold directly to consumers, providing a primary direct sales channel for the platform.
- Cover-Designer Tool Online browser-based tool for authors to design book covers using pre-built templates, backgrounds, fonts, and custom image uploads. Covers are rendered at 300 dpi for professional print quality.
- File Upload & Validation Service Automated file upload and validation system that checks PDFs for print readiness, verifying font embedding, image resolution (300 dpi minimum), bounding box, transparency, bleed edges, and color space. Provides real-time feedback before production.
Quantifiable outcome
- Authors receive 70% of net proceeds from book sales — well above traditional publisher royalty rates
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use epubli GmbH
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
epubli GmbH technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
epubli GmbH partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Holtzbrinckepubli is part of the Holtzbrinck publishing group (Holtzbrinck Publishing Group). Holtzbrinck is one of the world's largest publishing companies, owning numerous publishing houses and media companies. The relationship provides epubli with institutional backing and alignment with major publishing industry players.
- KNV BarsortimentcoreKNV (Koch, Neff und Ochs) is one of the two largest German book barsortiments (wholesale intermediaries). epubli uses KNV to distribute authors' printed books to physical bookstores and retailers throughout Germany. KNV's logistics infrastructure enables epubli to fulfill orders from the entire German book trade.
- Umbreit BarsortimentcoreUmbreit is the second major German book barsortiment. Together with KNV, Umbreit enables epubli to reach the full German book retail network. Retailers order through these barsortiments, simplifying supply chain management for epubli authors.
- Amazon (Kindle)coreAmazon is the primary global eBook marketplace. epubli distributes authors' eBooks to the Amazon Kindle Store, enabling global reach for digital publications. Amazon accounts for a significant share of eBook sales globally.
- Apple BookscoreApple Books is a major eBook distribution platform for iOS and Mac users. epubli distributes authors' eBooks to Apple Books alongside Amazon, Google, Tolino, Kobo, B&N, and Skoobe.
- Google Play BookscoreGoogle Play Books is a global eBook platform accessible on Android, web, and Chromebooks. epubli integrates with Google Play Books as part of its multi-platform eBook distribution strategy.
- TolinocoreTolino is a German eBook ecosystem and eReader brand backed by German booksellers (Thalia, Hugendubel, Weltbild, etc.). epubli distributes eBooks to Tolino, ensuring availability for the German-speaking market through one of the region's dominant eBook platforms.
- Kobo (Rakuten Kobo)coreKobo is a global eBook and eReader platform owned by Rakuten. epubli distributes eBooks to Kobo, extending reach to international readers outside the Amazon/Apple ecosystem.
- Barnes & Noble (B&N)coreBarnes & Noble is the largest US bookstore chain and a significant eBook retailer via NOOK. epubli distributes eBooks to B&N's NOOK platform, providing US market access for authors.
- SkoobeminorSkoobe is a German eBook subscription service offering unlimited reading for a monthly fee. epubli distributes eBooks to Skoobe, enabling authors to reach subscribers on the subscription platform.
- Deutsche Nationalbibliothek (DNB)coreThe Deutsche Nationalbibliothek is Germany's central archive and national bibliographic center with a legal mandate to collect all domestic and German-language publications. epubli automatically sends one complimentary deposit copy to the DNB upon publication with ISBN, fulfilling the statutory deposit requirement at no cost to the author.
- AutariaminorAutaria is epubli's sister company for larger print runs (from 500+ copies) with additional finishing options and veredelung (premium enhancements). epubli refers authors needing larger commercial-quality print runs to Autaria, creating a complementary product tier within the same corporate group.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
epubli GmbH competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Smashwords: eBook publishing and distribution platform aggregating indie authors into major retail channels — overlapping with epubli's eBook distribution to multiple stores.
- Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing): Amazon's free self-publishing platform for print and eBooks with global distribution — the dominant direct competitor to epubli, particularly for German-language authors reaching international readers.
- Draft2Digital: eBook distribution aggregator that converts and distributes to Amazon, Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and library platforms — overlapping with epubli's eBook distribution service.
- BookBaby: Self-publishing services company offering POD printing, eBook conversion, cover design, and distribution — directly comparable full-service offering for independent authors.
- tredition: Hamburg-based self-publishing platform offering print-on-demand and eBook publishing with distribution to major retailers — a comparable German-focused competitor targeting the same independent author segment.
- IngramSpark: Ingram's self-publishing POD platform providing distribution to a global network of bookstores, libraries, and online retailers — comparable in offering broad print distribution, though priced differently from epubli.
- BoD (Books on Demand): Germany-based POD and self-publishing platform offering free publishing with ISBN and broad retail distribution; epubli's closest domestic competitor with overlapping author segments and similar barsortiment-based distribution.
- Lulu Press: Global POD self-publishing platform offering free publishing, ISBN assignment, and distribution to major retailers — directly comparable business model with broader geographic reach.
Others
- Libri (distribution): German book wholesale distributor and logistics provider serving publishers and retailers — relevant as an infrastructure peer in the German book distribution value chain alongside epubli's barsortiment partners KNV and Umbreit.
Broad incumbents
- Holtzbrinck Publishing Group (sibling publishers): epubli's parent group owns major trade publishers (e.g., Rowohlt, S. Fischer) and digital platforms (e.g., Bookwire); relevant as a broader industry incumbent that controls upstream content and competing distribution channels.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
epubli GmbH social profiles
Digital presenceepubli GmbH financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
epubli GmbH leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
epubli GmbH subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
epubli GmbH funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
epubli GmbH 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 epubli GmbH
What does epubli GmbH do?
epubli GmbH operates a self-publishing platform that enables authors to professionally print and publish books and eBooks without a traditional publisher. Authors upload manuscripts and covers, the platform validates files, assigns ISBNs, and produces books on demand starting from a single copy using digital printing technology. Authors retain 70% of net proceeds while epubli distributes the finished works through the German book trade (via KNV and Umbreit barsortiments) and major eBook platforms (Amazon, Google, Apple, Tolino, Kobo, B&N, Skoobe).
Is epubli GmbH a public or private company?
epubli GmbH is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was epubli GmbH founded?
epubli GmbH was founded in 2008. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is epubli GmbH based?
epubli GmbH is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does epubli GmbH make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Book Print Sales (Print-on-Demand) is the primary driver. The others are eBook Conversion Service and author Royalty / Distribution Fee.
Who are epubli GmbH's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Smashwords, Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), Draft2Digital, BookBaby, tredition, IngramSpark, BoD (Books on Demand) and Lulu Press. Libri (distribution) is listed as an others. Holtzbrinck Publishing Group (sibling publishers) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does epubli GmbH have an API?
No public API is recorded for epubli GmbH.
What industry is epubli GmbH in?
epubli GmbH's product category is Self-Publishing and Print-on-Demand Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAJAA, Self-Publishing Platforms (KDP-style Marketplaces & Portals), with a secondary code of MPAJAJAC, Self-Publishing Distribution Aggregators (Wide E-book/Audiobook/Print). Its NAICS code is 51313 and its SIC code is 2731.