Ashampoo scales to 246 global markets with Cleverbridge

How a 20-year partnership has helped the software provider process nearly 8 million global orders with no added complexity.

The challenge

Ashampoo has built a loyal customer base through its wide portfolio of user-friendly software tools — spanning everything from system optimization to multimedia editing. Known for intuitive interfaces and one-click solutions, Ashampoo’s products are designed to empower users of all technical skill levels.

By 2005, the company had grown considerably — and so had its ambitions. Ashampoo wanted to expand beyond its base market and reach users across the globe. However, going international presented a series of hurdles:

• How would the team navigate dozens of currencies, tax systems, and payment methods?

• How could they ensure a consistent experience for users in vastly different regions — from checkout to delivery?

• And could they do all of the above without building sprawling, costly ecommerce infrastructure?

Additionally, Ashampoo recognized that its perpetual license model had increasingly reached a point of market saturation. To enable further growth and appeal to new customer segments, Ashampoo decided to introduce a subscription-based model — one that focused on generating recurring revenue.

Making that shift while also scaling globally, however, would require more than an ecommerce vendor. It would require a strategic partner with the technology, people, and global expertise to help future-proof the business.

The solution

Ashampoo became one of Cleverbridge’s very first clients in 2005 — and two decades later, the relationship has only grown deeper and more collaborative. What began as a payments and fulfillment solution has expanded into a full-scale partnership that touches nearly every part of Ashampoo’s digital commerce operations — from ensuring secure payment gateways to providing flexible cart modifications.

As Ashampoo’s global ambitions accelerated, Cleverbridge helped enable localized purchasing experiences across 246 countries and territories. The company now leverages 17 different payment methods to ensure frictionless checkouts, while automated tax and compliance management through Cleverbridge allows Ashampoo to operate confidently across regions.

Additionally, Cleverbridge’s subscription features offer Ashampoo the flexibility to customize pricing, test new packages, and deploy updates without interrupting the customer experience. With its large customer base, strong brand recognition, and broad reach, the company is strongly positioned in its ambition to become a leading B2C software marketplace in Europe.

Ashampoo even launched its own branded app where customers can purchase software directly — all powered by Cleverbridge’s ecommerce backbone. And while technology has evolved, one thing has remained constant about Ashampoo’s partnership with Cleverbridge: the people.

"The team is professional, friendly, technically skilled, and incredibly supportive — always going the extra mile to help us out,” said Michael Kämpfer, Head of Product at Ashampoo. “The human aspect of our collaboration has truly made a difference.”

The results

Ashampoo’s partnership with Cleverbridge has produced measurable impact across both operational efficiency and revenue growth. The company has processed over 7.8 million total orders since going live in 2005 that, in recent years, has been aided by a 98% payment authorization rate (since 2022).

The scale of Ashampoo’s global growth has translated into strong business outcomes. The company has seen a 6.5% year-over-year revenue increase, fueled by a 2.1% growth in ecommerce transactions — clear indicators of improved reach, conversion, and customer engagement.

Perhaps just as important, the Cleverbridge partnership has freed Ashampoo’s internal teams to focus on product innovation and user experience — not the complexities of international ecommerce.

“One of the key benefits for us is the peace of mind that Cleverbridge provides,” said Kämpfer. “They cover a critical operational area that we don't have to worry about, saving us significant time and effort.”

With a stable, scalable foundation in place, Ashampoo is well-positioned to continue evolving — offering new software tools, reaching new markets, and delivering even more value to customers worldwide.