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Perlego

Online textbook library with subscription access

Overview

Company Does Not Provide H-1B Sponsorship

Perlego provides unlimited access to a large online library of academic textbooks through a subscription, aimed at making learning more affordable for students. Its platform gives users access to over a million textbooks and resources via a digital library, with built-in study tools like a personalized eReader, highlighting, note-taking, and full-text search. Access is available through flexible monthly or annual plans, with a free trial and cancel-anytime policy. Perlego stands out by offering a vast, affordable library specifically tailored to students and by integrating study aids directly into the reading experience, rather than relying on standalone purchases or generic e-readers. The company’s goal is to break down education barriers by providing accessible, cost-effective learning resources for learners, especially those who may be financially constrained.

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About Perlego

Simplify's Rating
Why Perlego is rated
B-
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Consumer SoftwareEducation

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Late Stage VC

Total Funding

$85M

Headquarters

London, United Kingdom

Founded

2017

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What believers are saying

  • OverDrive launched Libby Extras for Perlego on August 1, 2026, expanding institutional reach.
  • Tech.eu reported over €70 million raised and 400-plus institutions globally by November 2026.
  • Leeds usage metrics prove demand: 40,871 Read Aloud uses and zero exam turnaways.

What critics are saying

  • Publishers can squeeze margins by renegotiating licenses after 2026 usage growth.
  • Perlego's AI tools trigger professor backlash over shortcut learning and policy restrictions.
  • Library and publisher bundles from OverDrive, JSTOR, and Wiley can displace Perlego in 2027.

What makes Perlego unique

  • Perlego spans 1.5 million books and 9,000 publishers, unlike niche courseware vendors.
  • Its AI research tool uses RAG and source links, launched by November 2026.
  • Libby Extras distribution opened U.S. institutional access on July 30, 2026.

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Funding

Total Funding

$85M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

6 Rounds

Late VC funding comparison data is currently unavailable. We're working to provide this information soon!
Late VC Funding Comparison Coming Soon

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Mental Health Support
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off
  • Sabbatical Leave
  • Family Planning Benefits
  • Workplace Nursery Benefit
  • Cycle to Work Scheme
  • Work-Life Balance
  • Flexi Bank Holidays
  • Learning and Development Budget

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

-1%
Library Technology Guides
Aug 3rd, 2026
Libby and Perlego announce partnership to increase accessibility to academic and professional resources within institutions.

Libby and Perlego announce partnership to increase accessibility to academic and professional resources within institutions. Cleveland, OH and London, UK - July 30, 2026. Libby and Perlego today announced a partnership that connects students at academic institutions to Perlego's extensive collection of academic and professional books through Libby Extras. Available directly within the Libby app, Libby Extras expands the library experience by providing access to additional learning and entertainment resources, increasing the variety and accessibility of content available to support student success. Beginning August 1, academic institutions within the United States will be able to purchase Perlego as a Libby Extra. This added resource will simplify learning by providing unlimited access to a catalog with over 1 million digital academic and personal development books. Simultaneously, Perlego ingrains reading and studying tools within their platform to enhance the learning experience. Students can discover the academic texts that are part of their coursework and beyond it, helping to eliminate some of the financial and physical barriers that come with institutional learning. "This partnership creates new opportunities for academic institutions to expand access to required course materials while helping address student affordability challenges," said Steven Rosato, who leads business with academic and professional libraries at OverDrive, Libby's parent company. "By making Perlego seamlessly available through Libby, institutions can offer students convenient access to a vast catalog of textbooks and course materials, ensuring they have the resources they need to support academic success." To learn more about accessing Perlego through Libby, users can watch a step-by-step video demonstrating how the integration works. The video highlights how the collaboration with Perlego enhances the way users discover and engage with educational content through the Libby app. "Our work together marks a real step change in how we expand access to knowledge. Perlego's mission has always been to make education accessible for all, and it's one we share with Libby," said Gauthier Van Malderen, CEO and Co-Founder of Perlego. "By pairing Perlego's academic and professional collection with Libby's trusted library network, we're giving libraries a new way to support learners at every stage of their journey. Together, we're making it easier for people around the world to discover and access the books from the world's best publishers, whenever and wherever they need them." Collectively, both organizations are driving progress towards their shared commitment to make content and education more accessible, leading to the advancement of knowledge everywhere. Libby and Perlego aim to provide students with the tools that they need to thrive in their educational settings, a goal they share with academic institutions everywhere. About OverDrive. OverDrive is a mission-based company that supports libraries, schools, and academic institutions. Named a Certified B Corp in 2017, OverDrive serves more than 80,000 libraries and schools in 115 countries with the industry's largest digital catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, video and other content. OverDrive empowers libraries and schools by expanding access for all through tireless industry advocacy and consistent innovation. Award-winning apps and services include the Libby library reading app, the Sora student reading app, Kanopy, the leading video streaming app for libraries and colleges, and TeachingBooks, which offers one of the largest catalogs of supplemental materials that enhance literacy outcomes. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, Ohio USA. www.overdrive.com About perlego. Perlego is transforming how students learn. Its digital library platform gives students and educators unlimited access to 1.5 million+ academic and personal development books from 9,000+ leading publishers, eliminating the financial and physical barriers that too often hold learners back from academic excellence. Trusted by 400+ higher education institutions globally, Perlego pairs a smarter, fully integrated library experience with the freedom for students to read broadly and go beyond the syllabus. Available on web and mobile, it's the flexible, accessible, and student-first solution today's institutions need. Learn more at perlego.com/institutions | Summary: | Libby and Perlego today announced a partnership that connects students at academic institutions to Perlego's extensive collection of academic and professional books through Libby Extras. Available directly within the Libby app, Libby Extras expands the library experience by providing access to additional learning and entertainment resources, increasing the variety and accessibility of content available to support student success. | | Publication Year: | 2026 | | Type of Material: | Press Release | | Language | English | | Date Issued: | August 3, 2026 | | Publisher: | Overdrive | | Company: | Perlego | | Permalink: | https://librarytechnology.org/pr/32811/libby-and-perlego-announce-partnership-to-increase-accessibility-to-academic-and-professional-resources-within-institutions | DocumentID: 32811 views: 1050 Created: 2026-08-01 15:01:18 Last Modified: 2026-09-02 20:09:41.

De Tijd
Oct 8th, 2024
Belgische 'Spotify voor cursussen' Perlego haalt 20 miljoen vers geld op

Perlego, een bedrijf dat abonnementen aanbiedt op academische boeken, tankt 20 miljoen dollar (18,2 miljoen euro) bij. Het geld komt onder meer van Mediahuis, dat er al een tijdje aandeelhouder is. Perlego is de baby van de Belg Gauthier Van Malderen.

Business Matters
Oct 7th, 2024
Former Tesco chief invests in 'spotify for textbooks' platform perlego with $20m funding round

Perlego, an education technology platform known as the "spotify for textbooks," has secured a $20m fundraising round led by sir Terry Leahy, the former CEO of Tesco.

The Bookseller
Apr 22nd, 2024
Digital library Perlego unveils new AI researcher tool

Digital library Perlego has unveiled a new artificial intelligence (AI) researcher tool, which it says will "revolutionise" the way students learn.

Amazon
Jan 9th, 2024
15 startups selected for the inaugural AWS Education Accelerator | Amazon Web Services

Amazon Web Services (AWS) today announced 15 startup companies selected to participate in the inaugural AWS Education Accelerator. Announced in October 2023, the AWS Education Accelerator supports education technology (EdTech) startups who are innovating to enhance the teaching and learning experience and improve educational outcomes. Read this blog post to learn about the 15 participants.

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