Top 8 Alternatives to Audible for Audiobook Enthusiasts
While Audible reigns as a prominent audiobook platform, especially with its association with Amazon, many alternatives have emerged, providing not only more options but also often more affordable ways to enjoy your favorite stories.
1. OverDrive/Libby
Cost: Free with a library card
Supported Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Did you know you can borrow audiobooks from your local library? For anyone who possesses a library card, OverDrive and its sister app, Libby, present fantastic opportunities to enjoy popular audiobooks without any cost. The app operates much like a traditional library, offering a limited number of “copies” for each title. Personally, I’ve hardly ever waited more than a couple of weeks for the latest releases. Do keep in mind, though, that availability depends on your local library’s collection.
Available in over 40 countries, it caters to all age groups with both audiobooks and ebooks. I frequently check out the monthly selections for fresh recommendations. Note that some libraries may limit the number of titles you can borrow monthly, while others may have no restrictions.
2. Everand
Cost: $11.99/month
Supported Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Everand, previously known as Scribd, boasts an expanding library of audiobooks, ebooks, sheet music, magazines, and more. You can access an unlimited selection of over 20,000 titles across various formats. There’s also a premium section featuring more than 1.5 million titles, with your monthly subscription allowing you to select one to three premium titles.
Don’t worry; many indie titles and bestsellers are part of the unlimited catalog. I personally favor titles from indie authors and smaller publishers, and everything I choose is included within the unlimited offerings. It’s a great Audible alternative for avid listeners and readers alike.
While some publishers impose limits on how many titles you can engage with each month, Everand does not publicize this figure. I typically enjoy three to five audiobooks monthly without hitting any caps.
3. Plan
Cost: Free
Supported Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Like OverDrive, Hoopla allows users to borrow audiobooks from various libraries. After verifying your library membership via a library card, you gain direct access to their extensive audiobook library. The service is free, and audiobooks can be enjoyed on iOS, Android, Amazon devices, Roku, and more. Its user-friendly interface categorizes collections into Popular, Featured, New York Times bestsellers, and more.
If you’re a parent, you’ll appreciate the dedicated children’s section, which consistently features age-suitable titles. My only downside is that several libraries limit the number of titles you can borrow each month. Nevertheless, it remains a free option, so I can’t complain too much!
4. Apple Books
Cost: Priced individually
Supported Platforms: macOS, iOS
For those embedded in the Apple ecosystem, exploring their audiobook options is highly beneficial. The Apple Books app is not a subscription-based service, making it an excellent Audible alternative for users wanting to purchase audiobooks outright. Plus, the app is sleek and user-friendly.
What I love most is the surprising array of free audiobooks available, not just public domain texts. You can find many introductory books available at no cost. Additionally, there are frequent limited-time deals that offer substantial discounts, alongside personalized recommendations based on your reading history.
5. Google Play Books
Cost: Priced individually
Supported Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Much like Apple, Google has its own bookstore, known as Google Play Books. There are many overlapping features, including recommendations based on prior readings. Although Google’s platform isn’t as navigable as Apple’s, it is still quite user-friendly—though I wish it were easier to find free titles.
Browse various categories such as self-help, business, science, technology, fiction, comedy, and more. The introduction of specific categories significantly aids new users in navigating Google’s store. Furthermore, each category often begins with special discounts and deals to entice spontaneous purchases. Like Apple, any audiobooks acquired from Google Play are a one-time purchase that you own permanently.
6. LibriVox
Cost: Free
Supported Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
With a collection exceeding 50,000 audiobooks, LibriVox is an outstanding choice for those interested in public domain titles. The collection includes superb selections covering classic bestsellers, historical works, biographies, poetry, and short stories. While it may lack the latest bestsellers, it compensates with timeless classics in audiobook form.
Finding audiobooks is straightforward through the search bar, or you can navigate the catalog for more specific searches. The site also highlights the latest releases for easy access to new options. I recommend checking out LibriVox.app for an enhanced navigation experience.
7. Kindle Unlimited
Cost: $11.99/month
Supported Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
You don’t need to subscribe to Kindle Unlimited to buy audiobooks from Amazon, but this subscription service remains one of my top substitutes for Audible. At the moment, Amazon lists over 10,000 audiobook titles ranging from bestsellers to indie publications included in your subscription. You can listen to as many titles as you like within the month, but there is a maximum of 20 titles per checkout.
Kindle Unlimited functions similarly to a library system; you don’t actually own the titles, but you can purchase any you’d like to keep. For Amazon Prime members, consider trying Prime Reading, which is included with membership. While the selection is smaller, the rotating library suits casual readers and listeners very well.
8. Audiobooks.com
Cost: $14.99/month or pay per title
Supported Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Audiobooks.com stands as a strong competitor to Audible. In fact, I’ve found it to provide discounts that Audible doesn’t and prefer its app design. With over half a million audiobooks to explore, you’ll never run out of new titles to enjoy. Additionally, there are more than 10,000 free offerings across audiobook platforms.
The subscription operates similarly to Audible, granting one credit per month to “purchase”an audiobook to keep. However, Audiobooks.com also allows you to select a free title monthly from its curated VIP collection, available only to members. My favorite aspect, though, is the plethora of monthly discounts, including BOGO offers and sales reaching 75% off.
Although I haven’t included it as a separate entry, Spotify has recently started offering audiobooks. However, the limitation of just 15 hours of monthly listening feels rather restrictive. If you’re uncertain which Audible alternative suits you best, I recommend trying out free trials to explore the offerings and functionalities of different apps.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots provided by Crystal Crowder.
Leave a Reply