Preo
PREO Software AG is a German B2B marketplace that buys and sells used volume software licenses from Microsoft, VMware, Oracle, and Adobe, serving over 5,000 European enterprises and public-sector organizations with audit-proof documentation and cost savings of 50-70% versus new licenses.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersHamburg, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Preo does
PREO Software AG is a German B2B specialist that operates a regulated marketplace for the purchase and sale of used volume software licenses from established vendors including Microsoft, VMware, Oracle, and Adobe. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Salzhausen with a second office in Hamburg, the company serves more than 5,000 organizations across Europe — ranging from mid-sized companies and SMEs to public authorities, ministries, and large international corporations. Its value proposition centers on reducing software licensing costs by 50-70% versus current vendor list prices, while providing full chain-of-rights documentation, previous-owner disclosure, deletion confirmations, and €10M liability insurance to satisfy enterprise procurement and external audit requirements.
The company's core technology is the proprietary Easy Compliance licensing portal, which delivers audit-proof documentation across every transaction step, complemented by blockchain-based validation of license authenticity and ownership history. Revenue is generated through a transaction-based intermediary model: PREO purchases surplus licenses from organizations (often during mergers, restructurings, or end-of-support transitions) and resells them to buyers seeking cost-optimized alternatives to new subscriptions, particularly in hybrid on-premises/cloud environments. Distribution is primarily direct enterprise sales supported by Country Managers across Germany, the UK, France, Spain, and Italy, with a complementary B2B reseller partner program for system houses targeting the mid-market. The 2024-2025 Origina partnership extends the offering into third-party support for VMware perpetual licenses, directly addressing demand generated by Broadcom's acquisition-driven shift to subscription licensing.
Preo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Preo
- Legal name
- PREO Software AG
- Website
- https://preo-ag.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- PREO Software AG is a German B2B marketplace that buys and sells used volume software licenses from Microsoft, VMware, Oracle, and Adobe, serving over 5,000 European enterprises and public-sector organizations with audit-proof documentation and cost savings of 50-70% versus new licenses.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Preo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Used Software License Trading
- NAICS
- Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Software License Resale & Optimization (Perpetual/Subscription) (BPAEAOAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Vendor & Contract Management (Software/Cloud) (BPAEAOAD), Enterprise Application License Advisory, Vendor Management & Optimization (BPAEAGAO)
Keywords
Where Preo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hamburg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Preo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Used Software License Trading: PREO generates revenue through the purchase and resale of used volume software licenses from established software vendors including Microsoft, VMware, Oracle, and Adobe. The company acts as an intermediary between organizations selling surplus licenses and those seeking cost-effective alternatives to new software purchases.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Custom quote-based pricing for organizations |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Preo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PREO is a B2B specialist that buys and resells used volume software licenses from established vendors including Microsoft, VMware, Oracle, and Adobe, enabling organizations to acquire legally compliant software at 50–70% savings versus new licensing. The company operates as an intermediary between organizations selling surplus licenses and those seeking cost-effective alternatives, providing audit-proof documentation, full chain-of-rights disclosure, and a proprietary Easy Compliance portal. It also offers hybrid software licensing advisory services that combine on-premises, cloud, and existing licenses, and runs a partner program for system houses and B2B resellers.
Product overview
PREO Software AG is a B2B specialist for the purchase and sale of used software licenses, operating as a marketplace that trades in used volume licenses from established software vendors including Microsoft, VMware, Oracle, and Adobe. The company helps medium-sized and large enterprises as well as public organizations integrate used software into their IT and procurement strategies in a legally compliant, audit-ready, and transparent manner. PREO supports companies in reducing software costs (typically 50-70% savings), unlocking tied-up capital, and managing hybrid licensing models that combine on-premises, cloud, and existing licenses. The core offering includes used license procurement, license resale services, hybrid software licensing advisory, and a proprietary Easy Compliance portal for audit-proof documentation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Easy Compliance: Proprietary licensing portal enabling audit-proof documentation and full transparency of license transactions.
Products and services
- Used Microsoft Licenses Used volume licenses from Microsoft including Windows Server, SQL Server, Exchange, SharePoint, Office, and Client Access Licenses (CALs). These help companies reduce software costs by up to 70% compared to new purchases.
- Used VMware Licenses Used VMware licenses including vSphere, vCenter, vSAN and other virtualization products, offered as alternatives to subscription-based VMware models following Broadcom's acquisition.
- Used Oracle Licenses Used Oracle licenses including databases, middleware and enterprise applications, offered as cost-effective and legally secure alternatives to new Oracle licenses.
- Used Adobe Licenses (Creative Suite) Used Adobe Creative Suite licenses (versions 5 and 6) including Standard, Professional, Production, Web Premium, Design and Web Premium, and Master Collection editions, available for both Mac and Windows.
- Hybrid Software Licensing Advisory Advisory service for hybrid software licensing strategies that combine on-premises, cloud, and existing licenses, helping companies optimize cost structures while maintaining flexibility to equip workstations according to their use case.
- Easy Compliance Portal PREO's proprietary licensing portal that provides audit-proof documentation, full chain-of-rights transparency, and complete transaction documentation for all license transfers, enabling organizations with high compliance standards to maintain verifiable records.
Quantifiable outcome
- Cost reduction of 50-70% on software licensing expenses
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Preo
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Preo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Preo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- OriginacorePREO partners with Origina, a global independent software support provider recommended by Gartner, to offer third-party support for VMware licenses. This partnership enables customers to continue using VMware perpetual licenses with comprehensive support coverage including bug fixes, security management, and performance optimization, independent of Broadcom's support cycles. The combination provides legally compliant, transparent, and cost-effective solutions for VMware environments.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Preo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lizengo: German-based discount software license retailer historically focused on consumer and small-business buyers; overlaps with PREO in used-Microsoft licensing SKU handling though more retail/consumer oriented.
- BLS Business Logistic Services: German-based used-software license broker with comparable services in second-hand Microsoft, Oracle, and other enterprise licenses. Operates in the same niche with overlapping buyer and seller pools across the DACH region.
- Software-Planet GmbH: German B2B reseller of used volume software licenses (Microsoft, Adobe, Autodesk, Oracle), serving enterprises and public sector with similar compliance documentation. Closely comparable operating model, geography, and customer profile to PREO.
- UsedSoft: German pioneer of used-software license trading and the original CJEU exhaustion-of-rights test case (2012). Was the most direct competitor to PREO before Microsoft acquired the company, making UsedSoft a historical anchor for the category but no longer an active peer.
- SCD Infodienste GmbH: German used-software reseller focused on Microsoft volume licensing and license compliance advisory. Similar buyer profile to PREO, including mid-market and enterprise customers seeking audit-proof used licenses.
Broad incumbents
- Flexera: Global leader in Software Asset Management (SAM) and IT asset management software. Adjacent rather than directly competing — Flexera manages compliance on existing licenses, while PREO trades in the licenses themselves — but both serve enterprise software procurement teams with overlapping buyer personas.
- ServiceNow IT Asset Management: Enterprise ITAM/SAM module within ServiceNow's broader platform. Targets the same enterprise software license compliance buyer that PREO serves, but as part of a much larger IT service management portfolio rather than a niche license-resale offering.
- Snow Software (now part of Flexera): Enterprise SAM and license optimization platform, merged into Flexera. Comparable buyer (CIO procurement, IT finance) but offers software tools rather than license resale services, placing it as a broad incumbent in the adjacent SAM category.
Emerging players
- Certero: UK-based SAM and software asset management vendor serving European mid-market and enterprise. Comparable buyer profile to PREO's mid-sized companies segment, but focused on license visibility tooling rather than secondary-market license resale.
- AfB Shop: European IT remarketing company focused on used hardware, with a smaller software-license resale arm. Comparable sustainability-driven used-IT narrative and EcoVadis-style ESG positioning, though primarily a hardware reseller.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Preo social profiles
Digital presencePreo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Preo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Preo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Preo 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 Preo
What does Preo do?
PREO is a B2B specialist that buys and resells used volume software licenses from established vendors including Microsoft, VMware, Oracle, and Adobe, enabling organizations to acquire legally compliant software at 50–70% savings versus new licensing. The company operates as an intermediary between organizations selling surplus licenses and those seeking cost-effective alternatives, providing audit-proof documentation, full chain-of-rights disclosure, and a proprietary Easy Compliance portal. It also offers hybrid software licensing advisory services that combine on-premises, cloud, and existing licenses, and runs a partner program for system houses and B2B resellers.
Is Preo a public or private company?
Preo is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Preo founded?
Preo was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Preo based?
Preo is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Preo make money?
One revenue line is on record: used Software License Trading.
Who are Preo's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lizengo, BLS Business Logistic Services, Software-Planet GmbH, UsedSoft and SCD Infodienste GmbH. Broad incumbents are Flexera, ServiceNow IT Asset Management and Snow Software (now part of Flexera). Emerging players are Certero and AfB Shop.
Does Preo have an API?
No public API is recorded for Preo.
What industry is Preo in?
Preo's product category is Used Software License Trading. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAOAC, Software License Resale & Optimization (Perpetual/Subscription), with a secondary code of BPAEAOAD, Vendor & Contract Management (Software/Cloud). Its NAICS code is 541511 and its SIC code is 7372.