What Is The Best Audiobook App [Nov 2023]

Best Audiobook App – Top Two Picks

In an era of soaring digital literature consumption, audiobook apps have taken center stage, revolutionizing our connection with beloved books. Whether you’re a bookworm always on the move or find traditional reading a tad tedious, audiobook apps breathe new life into stories, offering accessibility and convenience.

But how do you choose the perfect audiobook app amidst a sea of options, each flaunting unique features like sleep timers and variable narration speed? Fear not! In this blog post, we’ll embark on an exhilarating journey through the realm of audiobook apps. We’ll delve deep into their enticing features, compare free and premium versions, and explore how they cater to diverse reading styles.

Here’s a video version of this post if you prefer that over text

Audible

And from our extensive experience diving into the world of Audiobooks, we can confidently recommend Audible as a top contender. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of audiobook platforms, with an extraordinary range of titles, exclusive content, and the assurance that every book you purchase is yours to keep forever.

Why

• Extensive collection of over 300,000+ audiobooks
• Exclusive access to Audible Originals, sleep tracks, meditation programs & podcasts
• When you purchase audiobooks, they are forever yours to keep, even after canceling subscription
• The Audible app ecosystem has the best user experience across all Apps in the market – works with iOS and android + smart speakers + car play
• Offers a 30-day FREE trial (with 1 free credit)
• Audible also offers a lot of free audiobooks (can be used without subscription)

Why not

• Some users might find the subscription model (monthly audiobook credit) a bit expensive if they DO NOT listen regularly
• Some may find that library size is smaller than Google books (5 million+ titles), but I don’t know anyone who might need more than a 200000+ title collection on Audible

Who is it for

Audible is ideal for avid readers who enjoy a wide range of genres and are interested in exclusive content.

Price

Starts at $7.95 (Audible Plus) & $14.95 per month for Audible Premium Plus.

The basic Audible Premium includes one credit per month that can be exchanged for any audiobook, as well as access to podcasts and select exclusive titles.

Audible Premium Plus, on the other hand, provides everything in the Premium package along with unlimited access to the Audible Plus Catalog, which houses thousands of select audiobooks, podcasts, and originals.

What sets Audible apart is its extensive library and unique features. Once you purchase an audiobook or redeem a title with your monthly credit, it’s yours to keep forever, even if you cancel your subscription. Moreover, you can download titles for offline listening, making it convenient for travel or areas with limited internet connectivity. The app also offers a sleep timer function, allowing users to set a specific time for the audiobook to stop playing – a handy feature for bedtime listeners.

Most popular questions about Audible answered as their own blogs

• Is Audible worth it?
• Audible Free Trial – How to get (the best out of) it?
• What does Audible membership give you?
• What is the best Audible subscription for you
• What’s better – Scribd vs Audible
• What’s better – Audible vs Kindle
• What’s better – Audible vs Audiobooks.com
• What are Top Audible alternatives?
• Audiobooks on Spotify – should you go for it?
• Amazon Prime Audible – What do I get for being a Prime Member?
• How to pause or cancel audible?

Blinkist

Ever felt like you could do with a ‘knowledge snack’? Blinkist is your go-to. This brilliant app serves up the key insights from top non-fiction books in just 15 minutes. Ideal for when you’re short on time but still want to feed your brain.

Why

• Perfect for busy book lovers who desire to read more but have limited time
• Offers the essence of non-fiction books in 15-minute summaries
• Includes audio and text versions of book summaries
• Provides a personal library to save and organize favorite books
• Offers a free audiobook app with 1 free summary daily
• Offers a 7-day FREE trial (with unlimited listening)

Why not

• Doesn’t provide the complete book, only summaries
• Not ideal for those who prefer fiction or want the full depth of a book

Who is it for

Blinkist is a great fit for non-fiction lovers, business professionals, and lifelong learners who want to absorb key insights from popular books rapidly.

Price

Starts at $7/month (on annual subscription) or $15.99 per month paid monthly.

Blinkist is a unique entrant in the audiobook app space. Unlike traditional audiobook apps that provide full-length audio versions, Blinkist offers 15-minute summaries of non-fiction books in both audio and text versions. This time-saving feature allows busy users to glean the essence of a book without having to spend hours reading or listening.

The Blinkist library comprises more than 6500+ handpicked, best-selling non-fiction books covering a wide array of topics like leadership, psychology, philosophy, and personal development. Users can save their favorite books in a personal library and even download summaries for offline consumption. A key appeal for Blinkist users is its focus on continuous learning and personal growth, making it a favorite among professionals and lifelong learners.

Read more about book summary apps.

Audiobooks.com

Why

• Offers over 150,000 titles spanning various genres
• Allows users to stream or download books for offline listening
• Provides a free book every month with a VIP membership
• Features user-friendly interface and customizable narration speed
• Offers a 30-day FREE trial

Why not

• Unlike Audible, purchased books are not kept if the subscription is cancelled
• Some users have reported occasional glitches in the app

Who is it for

Audiobooks.com is suitable for those who enjoy a vast range of audiobooks and appreciate a straightforward, user-friendly interface.

Price

Starts at $14.95 per month.

Audiobooks.com, a powerful contender in the digital literature space, offers an extensive library of over 150,000 titles across a broad spectrum of genres. With a clean and intuitive interface, users can easily navigate through the app to find their next great listen. The app offers both streaming and downloading options, allowing users to listen whenever and wherever they want.

One of the notable perks of Audiobooks.com is the VIP membership, which gifts members a free book from a curated list every month. However, unlike Audible, Audiobooks.com operates a rental model, meaning books are not kept if the subscription is cancelled. This app is perfect for those who want to explore a diverse range of audiobooks on a simple, easy-to-use platform.

Scribd

Why

• Offers unlimited access to books, audiobooks, news, magazines, documents, and sheet music
• Provides a rotating selection of titles from major publishers
• Allows offline access to your library
• Offers a 30-day FREE trial

Why not

• Not all books are accessible to all users due to geographic restrictions
• Some popular titles may not be available for immediate access

Who is it for

Scribd is best suited for people who read across multiple genres and formats, and are not solely focused on audiobooks.

Price

Starts at $8.99 per month.

Scribd is a comprehensive digital library offering more than just audiobooks – it’s a one-stop platform for books, news, magazines, documents, and even sheet music. With a subscription, you enjoy unlimited access to a massive collection of titles, including a rotating selection from major publishers.

The app allows you to save favorites, create collections, and download titles for offline reading or listening. However, not all titles might be accessible due to geographic restrictions, and some popular titles may not be available for immediate access. But at a starting price of $8.99 per month, Scribd offers excellent value for those who appreciate diversity in their reading and listening habits.

Libro.fm

Why

• Supports local bookstores with every purchase made
• Offers over 150,000 audiobooks, including best-sellers and recommendations from booksellers
• Allows users to download books for offline listening
• Enables multiple device compatibility
• Offers a free audiobook with a subscription

Why not

• Slightly pricier than other platforms
• Offers less variety of titles compared to Audible or Scribd

Who is it for

Libro.fm is an excellent choice for book lovers who want to support local bookstores while enjoying a wide range of audiobook titles.

Price

Starts at $14.99 per month.

Libro.fm provides a unique spin on the audiobook platform market by supporting local bookstores with every purchase made. It boasts a library of over 150,000 audiobooks, including best-sellers and recommendations from booksellers. Users can download books for offline listening and enjoy their favorite titles on multiple devices.

With a subscription to Libro.fm, users also receive a free audiobook. While it is slightly pricier than other platforms and offers a less varied selection of titles, Libro.fm is a boon for those who wish to combine their love of books with support for local businesses.

Google Play Books

Why

• Provides access to over 5 million ebooks of ebooks and audiobooks
• Allows users to upload their own ebooks
• Enables reading or listening across various devices
• Doesn’t require a subscription fee

Why not

• No monthly subscription for unlimited reading
• Some users find the app design less user-friendly compared to other platforms

Who is it for

Google Play Books is an ideal choice for casual readers who do not wish to commit to a monthly subscription.

Price

Pay per book.

Google Play Books, a part of Google’s vast ecosystem, offers millions of ebooks and audiobooks for purchase and download. The app stands out for its option to upload personal book collections and enjoy them across multiple devices via the cloud.

Unlike most other platforms, Google Play Books operates on a pay per book model, meaning there’s no monthly subscription fee granting unlimited access. This makes it a cost-effective solution for occasional readers. However, some users may find the app’s interface less intuitive than that of its competitors. Nonetheless, for those who enjoy dipping into the Google ecosystem and appreciate wide-ranging accessibility, Google Play Books is a worthy contender in the digital reading space.

Other popular Audiobook Apps

Hoopla

Why: Hoopla offers a wide range of bestsellers and traditionally published audiobooks for free, provided you have a library card.

Why not: The selection can be limited depending on your local library’s offerings, and there may be wait times for popular titles.

Who is it for: Hoopla is perfect for budget-conscious readers with diverse tastes.

Price: Free with a library card.

LibriVox

Why: LibriVox offers free access to classics in the public domain.

Why not: The audiobooks are narrated by volunteers, so the quality can vary.

Who is it for: LibriVox is ideal for fans of classic literature.

Price: Free.

Smart Audiobook Player

Why: This app is designed for playing MP3 audiobooks and offers customizable playback features.

Why not: It lacks a built-in store for purchasing or downloading books.

Who is it for: Smart Audiobook Player is perfect for those who already have a collection of MP3 audiobooks.

Price: Free trial for 30 days, then $2 for full version.

Overdrive

Why: Overdrive allows users to borrow ebooks, magazines, and audiobooks from their local library’s digital collection.

Why not: The availability of titles depends on your local library’s collection, and there may be wait times for popular books.

Who is it for: Overdrive is ideal for those who prefer borrowing books and have a valid library card.

Price: Free with a library card.

Smart Audiobook Player and Kobo Books

Both Smart Audiobook Player and Kobo Books offer a range of features designed to enhance the listener’s experience. These include variable playback speed, allowing users to adjust the narration speed to their preference, and skip forward/back options for easy navigation.

Kobo Books, in particular, has a feature that syncs your reading history across all devices, ensuring you can pick up right where you left off, regardless of the device you’re using.

Other Noteworthy Audiobook Apps

There are several other audiobook apps worth mentioning. Nook App and Apple Books, for example, offer a vast collection of titles and unique features such as customizable narration speed and a night mode for comfortable evening listening.

Chirp Audiobooks and Kindle Unlimited are two other services that cater to avid readers. Chirp offers discounted audiobooks that can be purchased individually without a subscription, while Kindle Unlimited provides access to over a thousand titles for a monthly fee.

Using Your Local Library Card for Digital Audiobooks

Most local libraries have partnered with digital platforms to provide their patrons with access to a wide variety of digital resources, including eBooks and audiobooks. Once you’ve signed up and received your library card, you can use it to borrow digital audiobooks.

The process is simple and straightforward. After logging in to your library’s digital platform using your library card number, you can browse through their collection of audiobooks. When you find a title you’re interested in, you can borrow it just like you would a physical book. The borrowed audiobook can be listened to on your device, and once the lending period is over, it will be automatically returned, so you don’t have to worry about late fees.

Factors to Consider Before Getting an Audiobook Subscription

Keep these factors in mind as you compare different audiobook services. They’ll help guide you to the best choice for your needs, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable audiobook experience.

Wrap Up – The Best Audiobook App

With years of experience and countless stories under our belt, we can confidently say, Audible is one of the best audiobook apps in the market. It’s the trusty, all-in-one tool you need, boasting an extensive range of titles, exclusive content, and the comforting assurance that every book you purchase is yours to keep for eternity.

But let’s not forget about Blinkist, the hidden gem in our treasure chest. This app is your secret weapon for knowledge absorption on-the-go. If time is of the essence or you wish to quickly grasp the heart of a book, Blinkist presents condensed versions of non-fiction books that you can devour in just 15 minutes. It’s like having your personal wisdom guru who extracts key insights from top books and delivers them straight to your ears.

If you are into productivity apps , you might be interested in AI writers like CopyAI, Peppertype, Quillbot or Writecream. Read more about the best AI writers here. I also write at Medium.