Software from Dortmund.
Since 1995. For real users.
We are a German software company based in Dortmund. What began in 1995 as a small pioneering workshop for burning software is now an established provider with over 10 million licenses sold worldwide.
Our History
Over three decades, we have developed classics such as CDRWIN, MovieJack, and Photomizer – and built technologies that are now used worldwide under brands like Avast, AVG, Norton, and CCleaner. Despite this, we have remained true to our principles: pragmatic software for Windows. From Germany. No cloud dependency. No subscription.
📅 The Pioneer Years (1995–1999)
Engelmann Software began in 1995 under the name "MPE – Multimedia Produkte Engelmann" with the development of burning software for DOS. At that time, CD burners were still expensive specialized devices, and the internet was in its infancy.
1998 marked a major step: with the release of CDRWIN, one of the first burning software programs for Windows 95, the sole proprietorship became Engelmann Media GmbH in Dortmund. Just one year later, we surpassed the mark of 25,000 customers and made the leap into retail: Media Markt, Karstadt, Saturn, and others carried our products.
🚀 International Breakthrough (2000–2002)
With the RecDev SDK, we delivered a solution for third-party providers for the first time in 2000. In the same year, we started international sales – the first sales to Japan marked the beginning. At the CeBIT in Hannover, we presented ourselves with our own booth from 2001–2003, formed partnerships with over 50 burner manufacturers worldwide (TEAC, Yamaha, Japanese and Taiwanese brands), and developed multi-burner support.
2002 was the year of MovieJack: Released in collaboration with S.A.D., the video software sold 120,000 copies within three days at Aldi Germany. We became the European market leader in video DVD copy solutions. By 2003, we had sold over 5 million products.
💡 Innovation and Realignment (2003–2009)
In 2003, German copyright law changed: over 90% of our previous products had to be discontinued. We used this setback for realignment. In 2004, we developed AudioJack – even featured on ZDF Tagesthemen. 2005 saw our HDX4 codec, which was recognized in independent tests as the world's fastest MPEG-4 codec and was used by Lufthansa, in the medical field, and by Fraunhofer IGD.
🎯 Modern Software Company (2010–Today)
In 2012 came our most successful product to date: Photomizer. Multiple test winner in CHIP, PC Welt, and ComputerBild. In 2015, the milestone: over 10 million licenses sold. In 2017, the Rescue Stick, a bootable USB stick for data recovery. In 2020, Avast acquired our Driver Updater – the technology is now used worldwide under the brands Avast, AVG, Norton, and CCleaner. May 2024: Change of generation. Pit Engelmann, son of the founder, took over operational management.
→ A complete chronicle of all important events can be found on our Milestones page.
What Defines Us
In an industry that increasingly normalizes subscription models, cloud dependence, and data collection, we adhere to four simple principles:
Made in Germany
We develop in Dortmund. Our support responds from Dortmund. No one ships your request to India or a chatbot. Real people, German language.
No Cloud Dependency
Our software runs locally on your computer. Not in the cloud, not dependent on the internet. You only need the internet once: to activate the license.
No Subscription
Buy once. Use permanently. No monthly fees, no recurring costs. Software is a tool, not a rental item.
For Real Users
Rather three buttons everyone understands than thirty no one can find. Software for private users, families, hobbyists, and small businesses.
Our Portfolio Today
We cover four core areas:
Photo Editing
Photomizer and Photo BlowUp.
View →Multimedia
MovieJack, MyFormatConverter, OnlineTV.
View →Data Recovery
Rescue Stick, mobile first aid.
View →PC Security
Forensic System, professional tools.
View →Our Team
Behind Engelmann Software is a well-coordinated team in Dortmund. Since May 2024, the managing director is Pit Engelmann, son of the founder, who is leading the company into the next generation. Our developers, designers, and support staff work at a single location – this makes coordination quick and decision-making paths short.
When you contact us, you won't end up in a call center. You'll connect directly with the people who built your software or at least work with it daily.
Our Values
Pragmatism Over Marketing
We prefer to build a good product with real functions than an average product with a large advertising budget. Our software delivers on its promises.
Data Protection Over Data Collection
We collect as little data as possible. We do not sell data. And we do not make our software dependent on cloud services that we do not control ourselves.
Long-term over Quick Wins
Some of our customers have been with us for twenty years. That commits us. We don't think in quarterly targets, but in decades.
Contact & Location
For questions, requests, or feedback, we look forward to hearing from you. You can reach us fastest via our contact form or directly by email.
| Company | Engelmann Software GmbH |
| Address | Menglinghauser Str. 378, 44227 Dortmund, Germany |
| Email Support | help@engelmann.com |
| Web | engelmann.com |
| Management | Pit Engelmann |
| Commercial Register | HRB 15207, AG Dortmund |
| VAT ID No. | DE220390106 |
By the way: We also welcome suggestions for new software, improvement proposals, or criticism. Engelmann has grown by listening – and we intend to keep it that way.