What PodMe actually does
PodMe is a podcast subscription app operating across Sweden, Norway and Finland, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Schibsted, the Oslo-listed Norwegian media group. Founded by Swedish entrepreneurs Johan Strömberg and Niklas Julin, PodMe built its business on exclusive podcast content — original shows produced for the platform and licensing deals that keep certain popular series off general podcast apps — rather than trying to be a universal podcast player for shows that are already free everywhere.
That approach mirrors what happened with premium podcast tiers elsewhere in Europe, but PodMe was an early and specifically Nordic-focused version of the model, predating some larger competitors' own exclusive-content pushes in the region.
The core product
The app functions as a podcast player with a subscription-gated library layered on top of standard free-podcast playback. Subscribers get access to PodMe's exclusive and original shows across true crime, comedy, culture and current affairs in Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish, and the higher Premium Total tier adds a large audiobook catalog, combining two spoken-word content types that competitors usually keep as separate subscriptions.
Standard podcast search and playback for non-exclusive shows works much like any general podcast app, so PodMe can realistically serve as a single home for both freely available shows and the exclusive Nordic content, rather than requiring listeners to juggle two separate apps for their full podcast habit.
What's new or notable
Since Schibsted completed full ownership of PodMe in March 2025, the company has signaled deeper integration with Schibsted's broader media and technology ecosystem across the Nordic region, alongside continued expansion of the audiobook catalog under the Premium Total plan. This full-ownership shift consolidates PodMe firmly as Schibsted's dedicated podcast and audiobook product rather than an independently governed venture with outside minority shareholders.
Schibsted's stated rationale for the buyout centers on tighter product and technology collaboration between PodMe and the group's other Nordic media brands, which could mean deeper bundling with Schibsted's news subscriptions over time, though no concrete cross-product bundle had been formally announced as of this check. For now, PodMe continues to operate and bill as a standalone app rather than folding directly into another Schibsted product.
Who should use PodMe
Great fit if…
- You listen to Nordic-language podcasts — PodMe's exclusive and original shows in Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish are its entire reason to exist.
- You want podcasts and audiobooks in one subscription — the Premium Total tier bundles both rather than requiring a separate audiobook service.
- You're based in Sweden, Norway or Finland — the catalog, language and relevance are all scoped specifically to this region.
Skip it if…
- You're outside the Nordic region — the exclusive content that justifies the subscription is almost entirely in Nordic languages.
- You want a free tier — beyond a short trial, PodMe's actual content requires ongoing payment with no lasting free option.
Pricing in detail
PodMe offers a free trial period, after which the exclusive catalog requires a paid subscription. Two tiers are available, priced in Norwegian kroner for the Norwegian market.
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial | Free for 14 days | Full access to exclusive podcast catalog during the trial period |
| Premium | 99 kr/month (~€8.50) | Full access to PodMe's exclusive and original podcast catalog |
| Premium Total | 199 kr/month (~€17) | Everything in Premium plus unlimited access to the audiobook catalog |
Where it falls short
- No lasting free tier — once the 14-day trial ends, all exclusive content sits behind a paid plan with no free option remaining.
- Narrow regional relevance — the catalog is built for Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish audiences specifically, limiting its usefulness elsewhere.
- No desktop app — listening is limited to phone, tablet and web browser, with nothing dedicated for desktop users who prefer a standalone app.
Privacy & data
PodMe streams audio through its app and web player rather than offering local downloads outside of standard offline-listening caching. An account is required to manage the subscription and listening history, handled under Schibsted's data practices as the service's sole owner.
How we checked this
Pricing verified via a Norwegian pricing aggregator (saleduck.no/podme) on 2026-09-05, since podme.com blocked direct automated access during this check; ownership details (Schibsted's move to 100% ownership in March 2025) were confirmed via Schibsted's own press communications (kommunikasjon.ntb.no) and Norwegian media coverage (m24.no) on the same date. Exact current NOK pricing should be reconfirmed against a live podme.com checkout before publishing.