Readly
Swedish digital reading subscription service providing unlimited access to magazines and newspapers from third-party publishers.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Readly is a Swedish digital reading company whose service gives subscribers access to a broad catalog of magazines and newspapers through a monthly subscription. The platform is available through web browsers and mobile applications and aggregates content supplied by third-party publishers rather than primarily producing publications of its own. Reference material describes a catalog containing content from more than 1,200 publishers, positioning Readly as a digital newsstand and an aggregation platform for periodical media. The company was founded in Sweden in 2012 by Joel Wikell. Its international expansion began with the United Kingdom in 2014, followed by Germany in 2015. Readly subsequently entered the Netherlands in 2018, Italy in 2019, and Australia and New Zealand in 2020. This expansion established the service as a cross-border subscription product, with a particular concentration in European markets and additional operations in selected English-speaking markets. Readly initially extended beyond magazines into ebooks, but discontinued its ebook service in 2016. The move left periodical content as the central focus of the platform. Its core proposition is unlimited reading under one recurring subscription, allowing users to browse and read multiple titles instead of purchasing individual print issues or separate digital editions. The service is therefore positioned between a conventional publisher subscription, a digital storefront, and an all-you-can-read media bundle. In September 2020, Readly became a publicly traded company on Nasdaq Stockholm’s Mid Cap segment. The company later changed its corporate structure and ownership profile. Founder Joel Wikell left the board in March 2021, and Readly acquired Toutabo SA in November 2021. Toutabo was associated with ePresse, a French digital newsstand, giving Readly a stronger connection to the French digital press market. Philip Lindqvist became chief executive officer in May 2023. In June 2025, Bonnier Group was reported to have increased its holding in Readly to 96.45% and to have announced plans to delist the company and acquire the remaining shares. The Nordic business is described as part of the Bonnier Group, while Readly’s business outside the Nordics was acquired and merged by the French company Cafeyn in April 2026, according to the supplied reference material. These transactions mark a shift from Readly’s earlier identity as an independently listed subscription platform toward a business organized within larger media groups. Readly’s principal offering remains digital access to magazines and newspapers through a single subscription. Its strategic significance lies in aggregating publisher catalogs, improving digital distribution for periodical brands, and giving consumers a convenient alternative to buying publications individually. The brand’s precise corporate scope after the Bonnier and Cafeyn transactions should be checked against current company disclosures, because ownership and regional operating arrangements have changed over time.
History
Readly was founded in Sweden in 2012 by Joel Wikell as a digital subscription service for magazines and other periodical publications. Its model was based on aggregating content from multiple publishers and making that catalog available through a recurring subscription. Rather than requiring readers to purchase every issue separately, the service offered a single digital access point through a web browser and mobile applications. The company began international expansion in 2014 with a launch in the United Kingdom. Germany followed in 2015. In 2016, Readly discontinued an ebook service, narrowing its focus to magazines, newspapers, and related periodical content. This decision clarified the brand’s identity as a digital newsstand and subscription platform rather than a general-purpose ebook retailer. Readly expanded into the Netherlands in 2018 and Italy in 2019. In 2020, it entered Australia and New Zealand, broadening its presence beyond Europe. The company also became publicly traded in September 2020, when its shares were listed on Nasdaq Stockholm’s Mid Cap segment. The listing represented a significant corporate stage in Readly’s development as an international digital media company. Founder Joel Wikell left Readly’s board in March 2021. Later that year, in November, Readly acquired Toutabo SA, a French company associated with the ePresse digital newsstand. The transaction strengthened Readly’s position in French digital press distribution and added a corporate-development dimension to its international growth strategy. Philip Lindqvist was appointed chief executive officer in May 2023. Subsequent ownership changes altered the company’s status. In June 2025, Bonnier Group was reported to have increased its holding to 96.45% and to have announced plans to delist Readly and acquire the remaining shares. The Nordic business is described as belonging to Bonnier Group. Separately, the supplied reference material states that Cafeyn completed the acquisition and merger of Readly’s business outside the Nordics in April 2026. Readly’s history is therefore defined by three connected developments: the transition from print periodicals to subscription-based digital access, geographic expansion across Europe and selected overseas markets, and eventual integration into larger media groups. Its continuing brand proposition is the aggregation of a substantial third-party catalog, described in the reference material as containing content from more than 1,200 publishers, and the provision of unlimited reading through one digital subscription. Current legal ownership, regional brand usage, and operating arrangements should be verified against the latest corporate disclosures because the ownership structure has changed materially.
- 2026
Cafeyn integration outside the Nordics
[1]Cafeyn was reported to have completed the acquisition and merger of Readly’s non-Nordic business.
- 2025
Bonnier increases ownership
[1]Bonnier Group was reported to have raised its holding to 96.45% and announced plans involving delisting and acquisition of the remaining shares.
- 2023
New chief executive
[1]Philip Lindqvist was appointed chief executive officer in May.
- 2021
Founder leaves the board
[1]Founder Joel Wikell left Readly’s board in March.
- 2021
Toutabo acquisition
[1]Readly acquired Toutabo SA, associated with the French ePresse digital newsstand.
- 2020
Australia and New Zealand launches
[1]Readly extended its service to Australia and New Zealand.
- 2020
Nasdaq Stockholm listing
[1]Readly listed its shares on Nasdaq Stockholm’s Mid Cap segment in September.
- 2019
Italian market entry
[1]The company entered Italy as part of its European expansion.
- 2018
Netherlands expansion
[1]Readly expanded its subscription service into the Netherlands.
- 2016
Ebook service discontinued
[1]Readly discontinued its ebook offering and returned its emphasis to magazines and periodicals.
Products and positioning
A digital magazine and newspaper subscription platform that aggregates content from many publishers into an unlimited-reading service.
Digital magazine and newspaper subscription · 2012
Readly digital subscription
Readly’s principal product is a recurring digital subscription that provides unlimited access to a large selection of magazines and newspapers supplied by third-party publishers. Subscribers can browse, search, and read periodical content through Readly’s website and mobile applications. The service is designed as a single digital newsstand, replacing the need to buy many individual issues or maintain separate subscriptions for every title.
Mobile reading application
Readly mobile applications
Readly distributes its subscription experience through mobile applications, allowing users to access the platform’s magazine and newspaper catalog on supported mobile devices. The apps form one of the main delivery channels for the service alongside browser access. Specific application features and availability may differ by market and should be checked against current product documentation.
Ebook subscription
Readly ebook service
Readly previously offered an ebook service as an extension of its digital reading proposition. The company discontinued that service in 2016, after which its principal product focus became magazines, newspapers, and other periodical publications.
Brand decisions
2026
Cafeyn acquisition and merger of the non-Nordic businessM&ABackground
Readly’s business outside the Nordic region was separated from the Nordic business in the context of broader media-group ownership changes.
Action taken
Cafeyn completed the acquisition and merger of Readly’s non-Nordic business, according to the supplied reference material.
Aftermath
The transaction placed the non-Nordic operations within Cafeyn, while the Nordic business remained associated with Bonnier Group.
2025
Bonnier ownership and proposed delistingM&ABackground
Bonnier Group increased its holding in Readly to a reported 96.45% and sought to consolidate ownership.
Action taken
Bonnier announced an intention to delist Readly and acquire the remaining 3.55% of shares.
Aftermath
Readly’s ownership profile moved toward control by Bonnier Group, with the Nordic business becoming part of the Bonnier structure.
Bonnier Group ownership. 96.45% (June 2025)
2021
Acquisition of Toutabo SAM&ABackground
Readly pursued expansion in the French digital press market through the acquisition of Toutabo SA, associated with the ePresse digital newsstand.
Action taken
Readly acquired Toutabo SA in November 2021.
Aftermath
The transaction added a French digital newsstand business to Readly’s international portfolio.
2016
Discontinuation of the ebook serviceStrategyBackground
Readly had expanded its digital reading proposition beyond periodicals, but the ebook service was discontinued in 2016.
Action taken
The company ended the ebook offering and concentrated its product scope on magazines, newspapers, and related periodical content.
Aftermath
The decision reinforced Readly’s identity as a digital magazine and newspaper subscription service.
Recent events
Reported
Readly rolls out Readly Articles[3]
Readly Australia announced the rollout of Readly Articles, an extension of its platform that lets users read content as individual digital features.
Reported
Readly launches Articles service[4]
Readly launched Readly Articles, a service featuring curated articles from publishers for subscribers. The service was available to subscribers on mobile in the UK from the announcement date, with a tablet rollout planned for the coming months.
Sources4 sources
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