What Audible GmbH does

Audible GmbH is the German subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc., operating the Audible-branded digital audiobook and spoken-word entertainment service across multiple European markets. The entity is incorporated as a Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung under German law, headquartered in Berlin, and serves consumers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Benelux region, France, Poland, and Sweden through localized storefronts (audible.de, audible.fr, audible.nl, audible.pl, audible.se) with seven language options. Audible was originally founded in 1997 as a pioneer in digital audio content distribution and was acquired by Amazon in 2008, after which it was integrated into Amazon's consumer media portfolio and is officially positioned as "an Amazon company" (ein Amazon-Unternehmen).

The core product is a subscription-based streaming and download platform for audiobooks, audio dramas (Hörspiele), podcasts, and Audible Originals exclusive content, delivered via a web platform and mobile applications for iOS and Android. The mobile app supports offline downloads, variable playback speed, sleep timer, car mode for driving, and a personalized listening experience. The content catalog combines licensed third-party audiobooks — including a deep German-language selection of local authors and narrators — with proprietary Audible Originals available exclusively on the platform. Technology infrastructure, payment processing, and account authentication leverage Amazon's shared systems, allowing users to sign in with Amazon credentials.

The business model is direct-to-consumer subscription recurring revenue with two pricing tiers: Audible Standard at €6.99 per month (one title per month from the full catalog, accessible during active subscription) and Audible Premium at €9.95 per month (one monthly credit redeemable for any title in the catalog with permanent ownership, plus access to the unlimited listening catalog and exclusive member sales). Both tiers include a 30-day free trial with monthly cancellation, no long-term commitment required, and access to Audible Originals. The customer base consists of individual German-speaking consumers who use the service for entertainment during commutes, household tasks, travel, and personal development. With 11–50 employees reported at the GmbH level, the entity appears to function as a lean regional operations, marketing, and content-curation layer atop Amazon's centralized technology and corporate infrastructure.

Name

Audible GmbH

Legal name

Audible GmbH

Website

https://audible.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Audible GmbH is Amazon's German subsidiary operating a subscription-based digital audiobook, audio drama, and podcast platform across multiple European markets, serving individual consumers via web and mobile app.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Audiobook Subscription Service

NAICS

Sound Recording Industries (5122)

akta.pro primary industry

Audiobook Retail & Subscription Platforms (Direct-to-Consumer) (MPAJAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Audiobook & Spoken-Word Streaming Platforms (MPAIADAE)

Keywords

• Audiobook subscription
• Digital audio streaming
• Podcast platform
• Spoken word content
• Audio entertainment service

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Subscription Revenue: Monthly subscription service providing access to audiobooks and podcasts. Users receive monthly credits (Premium: 1 title credit per month, Standard: access to rotating selection) plus unlimited access to listening catalog.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Audible GmbH operates a subscription-based digital audio entertainment platform that delivers audiobooks, audio dramas (Hörspiele), and podcasts to individual consumers. The service is offered through two monthly subscription tiers—Audible Standard (€6.99/month) and Audible Premium (€9.95/month)—along with a la carte content purchases, distributed via the Audible mobile application and the audible.de website.

Product overview

Audible GmbH operates a subscription-based digital audio entertainment platform offering audiobook streaming and download services through two subscription tiers (Audible Standard at 6.99€/month and Audible Premium at 9.95€/month) and a la carte purchases. The platform provides access to audiobooks, audio dramas (Hörspiele), and podcasts, including exclusive Audible Originals. Content is delivered via the Audible mobile application for iOS and Android, which supports offline listening, variable playback speed, and car mode. Premium subscribers receive monthly credits that grant permanent ownership of selected titles, while Standard subscribers access titles during their active subscription. The platform is an Amazon company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Audible Originals: Exclusive audio content produced by Audible, including original podcasts and spoken-word entertainment available only on the Audible platform.

Products and services

• Audible Premium

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• AmazonflagshipOthersAudible is explicitly positioned as 'ein Amazon-Unternehmen' (an Amazon company) on its German website. Audible operates as a subsidiary of Amazon, leveraging Amazon's technology infrastructure, payment systems, and customer base. Amazon accounts can be used for Audible login and payment.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Deezer: Global music and podcast streaming service with presence in Germany; overlaps with Audible in podcast listening time-share and has explored audiobook distribution partnerships.
• Spotify: Global audio streaming leader that has expanded into audiobooks and podcasts, directly overlapping Audible's spoken-word offering and leveraging a far larger freemium music listener base in Germany.
• Apple Books / Apple Podcasts: Apple's audiobook purchase and podcast platforms integrated into the iOS ecosystem; compete with Audible on audiobook retail and spoken-word consumption, particularly among Apple-device households in DACH.

Direct peers

• Nextory: Swedish audiobook and e-book subscription service operating in multiple European markets including Germany; competes with Audible on subscription pricing, family plans, and German-language catalog breadth.
• BookBeat: Bonnier-owned audiobook streaming service with deep roots in Germany and the DACH region; offers a directly comparable unlimited-listening subscription at price points similar to Audible Standard.
• Scribd: US-based subscription reading service that bundles audiobooks, e-books, and documents; competes with Audible on the audiobook subscription value proposition, primarily through digital content bundles.
• Storytel: Swedish-headquartered audiobook and e-book subscription platform with strong Nordic and DACH presence; competes directly with Audible's subscription model and content catalog across overlapping European markets.

Emerging players

• Podimo: European podcast and audiobook subscription platform active in Germany; positions as a curated spoken-word alternative with creator-friendly economics, competing with Audible for premium podcast listeners.

Regional players

• Hörbuch.de (Deutsche Telekom / Bookwire): German audiobook download and streaming storefront closely tied to local publishers; competes with Audible.de specifically in the German-language audiobook purchase and rental segment.
• Thalia Media (Hörbücher via thalia.de): German-language bookstore chain operating audiobook download and streaming offerings; competes regionally with Audible.de via integrated book retail and local German-language curation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/audible-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Audible GmbH