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Don’t let anyone tell you differently, audiobooks count as reading! Listening to audiobooks is a great way to hit your reading goals while commuting, working out or just getting your to-do list done around the house.
This list of the best audiobook apps for readers covers pros and cons of various audiobook listening apps, covering their business model, pricing, catalogue and more! You can download the apps to your phone or tablet for listening wherever you are.
Let’s get to listening!
Everand
As part of the Scribd family, Everand’s app has recently changed their audiobook model. It offers both ebooks and audiobooks through a subscription system with multiple payment options. You can unlock 3 audiobooks per month at $16.99 or 1 per month for $11.99. Remember, this is a subscription so you’re not purchasing the file for ownership, but you will be able to access all your unlocks as long as you have an active subscription. You can get a free trial to listen to THREE audiobooks for the first month.
Everand’s app offers a download to listen offline option, a save feature and multiple listening speed options for audiobooks. The catalog is also very impressive; similar to Audible in the amount of titles available, including new releases and lots of traditionally published favorites.
Libby
This is one of the BEST ways to listen to FREE audiobooks through your library! You will need to get a library card, link it to Overdrive’s Libby app, and then you can listen right in the app. This will depend if your local library uses Overdrive (Libby); some also use Hoopla which is a similar app that offers both ebooks and audiobooks through the library.
Your wait times and catalogues will vary depending on your local library, but there are also large libraries that offer non-locals to purchase library card access for reasonable yearly fees.
Audible
Owned by Amazon, Audible is definitely one of the most popular audiobook apps out there. For $14.95 you can get one audiobook per month. A benefit to the Audible system is that even if you cancel your subscription for a few months (or indefinitely,) you will still have access to your audiobooks.
Audible also has arguably the largest library available – you’ll pretty much be able to find anything you like there. Also, if you’re part of the Amazon Family system, you can share audiobooks with other members in your account.
Libro.fm
Libro.fm is an awesome app because it supports local indie bookstores. You also have the option of a monthly subscription or buying audiobooks a la carte.
The membership is similar to Audible: about $15 a month for one credit. Everand still wins when it comes to bang for your buck for that price point with three audiobook unlocks, but Libro.fm runs sales often, so you can snag audiobooks for a great price (and you don’t have to be a member to purchase). This is a great option if you’re opting to support local instead of Amazon!
Librivox
While you won’t find viral booktok fantasy romances on Librivox, this is an amazing service available for anyone to read audiobooks for free. This is possible due to it hosting audiobooks and recordings that are considered public domain (in the US). If you want to listen to a classic, this is a great option.
It can be difficult to find the gems among a lot of titles though, so we suggest browsing social media or the reddit threads to help you discover your next engaging listen.
Spotify
If you already have a Spotify Premium membership, then you have access to 15 hours of audiobook listening available in your account! You can also “top up” your hours for a fee. We’d suggest choosing one book per month under the 15 hours, so you don’t end up getting cut off at the best part of a book when you hit your 15 hours of listening!
TIP: You can see how many hours you’ve used by accessing your Spotify account via desktop, and finding “Audiobook Listening Time.”
Chirp
If you avoid subscriptions like the plague, then Chirp is right for you! You can find thousands of audiobooks for purchase for under $5! You can find tons of great deals from popular authors and a wide variety of genres.
Simply sign up with your email, and Chirp will send you personalized audiobook deals daily. You can choose your preferred genres. You can listen in the Chirp app, and all audiobooks you purchase are yours to access in the app forever.
