BookBeat
Stockholm streaming service with 45 free days and a Dutch-law contract for subscribers in the Netherlands
Quick Overview
| Company | BookBeat AB |
|---|---|
| Category | Audiobook Apps |
| Headquarters | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - Sweden (EU) |
| Data Location | Not stated on the pages checked |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Audiobook and eBook streaming, offline listening, children's titles, family profiles with own hours, student offer, gift cards, personal recommendations |
| Pricing | Basic 8.99 EUR per month (20 hours), Premium 10.99 EUR per month (100 hours), extra profiles from 1.99 EUR; 45-day trial (Dutch site) |
| Best For | Light and medium listeners who want a long trial and cheap family profiles |
| Replaces | Audible |
Detailed Review
BookBeat sells time. Its two Dutch plans are named for how many hours you get: 20 for 8.99 EUR a month, or 100 for 10.99 EUR. That is a different bargain from a credit that buys a single title, and for someone who listens in the car it will usually be cheaper.
The privacy notice names BookBeat AB (registration number 556560-4583) as controller, with a postal address in Stockholm, and the Swedish data protection authority IMY as the supervisor. The Dutch terms are governed by Dutch law.
Two Plans and a Long Trial
A new subscriber gets 45 days free with 20 hours of listening and reading. After the trial the subscription continues from 8.99 EUR a month, and the site says it can be cancelled at any time.
Basic gives 20 hours a month; Premium gives 100. The home page claims more than one million audiobooks and eBooks.
Extra Profiles in the Household
Each added family member gets an own profile and an own block of hours. An extra Basic profile costs 1.99 EUR a month for 20 hours, and an extra Premium profile costs 5.99 EUR for 100 hours.
The page gives both four and five as the family size, so the exact maximum should be confirmed before buying.
Contract Terms
The Dutch terms say Dutch law applies to contracts based on them, without removing the consumer protection of the country of residence. A subscription requires residence in the Netherlands.
Downloaded titles are available offline, with the number depending on the free storage on the device.
Limitations to Consider
Hours are capped on both plans, so a daily listener can run into the 20-hour Basic limit within a fortnight. The Dutch subscription requires Dutch residence, which rules out expatriates and cross-border households. Catalogue language and per-country pricing differ, and the home page contradicts itself on the family size. For no-cap listening look at Skoobe or the unlimited tier at Storytel.
Who Should Use BookBeat
Households in the Netherlands that want per-person hour budgets and a 45-day trial before paying.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 45-day trial with 20 hours
- Premium offers 100 hours for 10.99 EUR
- Extra profiles from 1.99 EUR
- Offline listening
- Swedish controller named with registration number and DPO contact
Cons
- Hour caps on both plans
- Residence in the Netherlands required for the Dutch plan
- Family-size figures conflict on the page
- No data-location statement
Alternatives to BookBeat
Other European audiobook apps worth comparing before you decide:
Audiolibrix
Czech Republic · Credit-based audiobook club from Prague
Skoobe
Germany · Flatrate without audiobook hour limits
Nextory
Sweden · Low entry price with 30 trial hours
Storytel
Sweden · Unlimited tier plus Synced Listening
See all European audiobook apps or compare them directly against Audible on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
On the Dutch site Basic includes 20 hours a month and Premium includes 100 hours a month.
The Dutch terms require residence in the Netherlands to take out a subscription.
BookBeat AB, registration number 556560-4583, with DPO contact privacy@bookbeat.com, as stated in the privacy notice.