Discover the Audible Alternatives Everyone is Talking About
We believe that you’re never too old to have a story read aloud to you. Audiobooks are on the up and up for readers of all ages. Whether you’re an experienced pro or trying them out for the first time, finding an audiobook subscription you love is key.
Audible may be tempting—but there are better options out there. Learn about our favorites!
It’s Time to Find an Alternative to Audible
At this point, it seems like the term “audiobooks” has become synonymous with Audible—but that doesn’t mean it’s the only audiobook app out there! If you’re a book lover, you deserve an audiobook subscription that cares about your experience and supports your favorite authors. Luckily, we’ve researched the best Audible alternatives, so you don’t have to!
Why We Love Audiobooks
The downside to being a book lover is that you have to set aside time and pick a place to read a physical book. With audiobook subscriptions, you can listen to your favorite novels wherever and whenever you like. This is the best reading method for those who love to multitask. As long as you can pop on headphones or pair with a speaker, you can tune into your audiobook app, whether you’re running errands, attending silent book club, commuting to work, or spring cleaning the house.
For some people, the only thing better than burying your nose in a good book is hearing the story get brought to life by a great narrator. Audiobook apps are the perfect alternative for those who are better at processing what they hear than what they see. Anyone can benefit from having an audiobook subscription, from students struggling to retain details of a revamped classic novel for English class to someone hooked on a complex high fantasy series and even children learning to read.
3 Reasons You Should Find a New Audiobook Subscription Service
Audible may have introduced you to audiobook apps, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick with it. With more and more Audible alternatives popping up, it’s time to make the switch. If you need that final push, take a second and consider these three reasons:
1. Audible Doesn’t Care About Authors
Without authors, there would be no amazing audiobooks to listen to. So, wouldn’t you assume audiobook apps would do all they could to make their writers feel appreciated and supported? Well, in Audible’s case, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Unless an author has an exclusive deal with Amazon, Audible only pays authors 25% of its sales. The company also has a so-called “generous” return policy that allows listeners to return a title even after finishing it, resulting in no payment at all for that author. The company is taking flak from authors and readers who claim Audible prioritizes its own profits over the authors’ well-being.
2. Audible Audiobook Subscriptions Support Amazon
If you didn’t already know, Audible is an Amazon-owned company. Between violating workers’ rights, promoting unnecessary purchases, and countless other accusations, it’s easy to see that Bezos’ brainchild is harming the environment and local economy. Why settle for that when you could make a more ethical choice in your audiobook apps?
If you’re interested in supporting smaller companies and independent businesses for your next book club read, switching to an Audible alternative is one of the easiest ways to put your money where your mouth is. Look into the morals behind other popular audiobook subscriptions to find one that aligns more closely with your own values, and start your service pronto!
3. Audible Alternatives Offer Better Customization
We understand that no two readers listen alike! While Audible does offer a few customization options, the app is famously hated by both new and longtime Amazon audiobook subscribers. Audible alternatives heard the complaints and adjusted their own apps accordingly.
It’s easy to fall in love with audiobooks when you can personalize your listening experience. Depending on the Audible alternative, readers can control narration speed, set sleep timers, organize their audiobook library, bookmark important passages, and more. Curating these little details makes a world of difference in your audiobook journey.
The Top Reader-Recommended Audible Alternatives
Canceling your Audible account is the easy part—determining which Audible alternative is right for you and your listening style can feel a little trickier. But never fear! Whether you prefer listening to cozy mysteries on the couch or cottagecore books on road trips, the majority of audiobook apps will have exactly what you’re looking for. This heavily researched list will give you a good idea of where to start your search:
Support Your Local Bookstore with Libro.fm
Our favorite Audible alternative is, without a doubt, Libro.fm. Its business model and morals are almost an exact foil of Audible. It believes in community, curation, and culture above all else and uses a business model that supports indie bookstores rather than a mega-corporation like Amazon.
Libro.fm is an employee-owned corporation designed to give individual readers the power to keep money within their local economy and keep their favorite bookstores up and running. With comparable prices, automatic ownership of any title you purchase, and an easy-to-use audiobook app, Libro.fm remains our top choice for audiobook lovers. Sign up with our affiliate link to ensure your audiobook subscription supports Novel, our bookstore in Rochester, Michigan!
How to Set Up a Libro.fm Account:
- Step 1: Download the app on an iOS or Android device.
- Step 2: Start by creating a free account and choosing a local bookstore you’d like to support. The business you choose will receive a portion of every single purchase you make.
- Step 3: Sign up for either a monthly audiobook subscription to receive one credit a month (as well as 30% off an additional purchase) or decide to stick to a free membership and opt to buy and listen to audiobooks on your own time with no additional fee.
- Step 4: Browse the wide selection of audiobooks to find a title that piques your interest.
- Step 5: Adjust your audiobook settings and start listening. It’s that easy!
How Much Does Libro.fm Subscription Cost?
The Libro.fm audiobook subscription that includes one credit a month costs $14.99. This is comparable in cost and credit system to the Premium Plus membership Audible offers. If money is not your main reason for looking for an Audible alternative, then making the change is a no-brainer!
The unique thing about Libro.fm is that if you don’t want to pay for a subscription, you don’t have to. It offers an “a la carte” option, where you can buy individual titles whenever you want, no strings attached.
What Kind of Audiobooks Are Available on Libro.fm?
While Amazon does hold the record for the largest audiobook catalog, Libro.fm has over half a million titles to choose from! Our go-to Audible alternative has audiobooks spanning every book genre and age group, from young adult novels on the New York Times Best Sellers list to the newest release of your kid’s favorite series.
Insider tip: If a title you’re looking for isn’t available on Libro.fm, it’s probably an “Audible Exclusive.” The team behind Libro.fm’s audiobook app is constantly working with publishers to try to get those restricted audiobooks available, so keep checking back in!
Rent Audiobooks from the Library with Libby
As Arthur the Aardvark once said, “Having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card!” Libby is a reader-favorite choice for both Kindle and Audible alternatives. If you have a library card, you can get instant access to your public library’s audiobook collection completely free of charge.
Since Libby follows a library model, it’s important to note that you can only borrow, not buy, audiobooks. When you’re done listening to the audiobook, you return it, freeing up the hold for the next reader. While this is an excellent option for one-time listeners who enjoy hearing a story once and returning it, it may not be the most convenient option for those who prefer reading the same titles over and over.
How Does Renting an Audiobook Through Libby Work?
In order to start a Libby account, you need a library card. In our digital era, many public libraries allow you to apply for and receive your card online. If your closest one does not have a website option, head on down and visit the lovely librarians to sign up in person!
After registering your card number on the Libby app, you can begin your electronic checkout directly on the audiobook app. Search for specific titles or authors or tap the library building icon to browse the catalog.
Once you find one you want, it will have two options: “borrow,” which means you can listen to it right away, or “hold,” which means you’ve been placed on a waitlist. If you choose to hold one, you will be able to access it after the current user has finished borrowing it.
Can You Use Multiple Library Cards on Libby?
Libby lovers know the real trick to using your account to the fullest is hooking up multiple library cards to the audiobook app. Many libraries around the country offer a non-resident sign-up option, so you may as well take advantage of it! With multiple cards, you’ll have access to even more audiobooks.
Libraries You Can Join for Free from Anywhere
If you’re opting for the Libby audiobook app, make sure to apply for a free card at these libraries to increase your chances of borrowing a title:
Listen Alongside Your Favorite Playlists with Spotify
Since 2022, in addition to being one of the largest music streaming platforms worldwide, Spotify has let users tune into a selection of new and old audiobook titles each month. This makes Spotify an easily accessible and affordable Audible alternative, as the audiobook hours are built into your music subscription cost. If you’re one of the 675 million members who use Spotify, consider giving the audiobook selection a try wherever you listen to your tunes, whether that’s enjoying a sandwich off our menu or walking the dog.
How Many Hours Do You Get for Spotify Audiobooks a Month
A Spotify membership includes 15 hours of audiobook listening time each month. Unlike some audiobook apps, unused hours do not roll over at the end of the month. If you run out of hours at a pivotal point in your audiobook, you can buy extra time, or as the company calls it, “top-up.”
Find Amazing Deals with Chirp
If you want to skip the monthly fee and save a few bucks with each purchase, Chirp is the audiobook app for you. Rather than working off a credit system, this Audible alternative sends you personalized email blasts with limited-time deals that align with your interests. With Chirp, audiobooks that are typically $15 to $30 to listen to can drop all the way to $5—talk about a deal!
Chirp also offers various free titles by unknown and famous authors that anyone can grab on the app. Try out this Audible alternative on your iOS or Android devices, download your title, and listen ASAP.
Does Chirp Only Sell Audiobooks on Limited-Time Sales?
While Chirp is best known for randomized discounts on popular audiobooks, it’s not all it has to offer. Like its competitor audiobook subscriptions, it offers a wide range of titles by popular authors for affordable everyday pricing. When you buy one of its audiobooks, it is yours to keep and listen to whenever you want.
Questions to Ask When Looking for a New Audiobook Subscription
When you’re shopping around for an Audible alternative, it’s important to remember that not all audiobook subscriptions are created equal. Take the time to do a bit of research before creating an account. At Novel, we recommend consulting this questions list before committing to a new audiobook app:
- What is the monthly cost of the audiobook subscription?
- Can you transfer or gift credits to other audiobook app users?
- How easy is it to cancel the audiobook subscription?
- Are there any additional discounts on audiobooks once a credit is used?
- Is there a time limit for listening on the audiobook app?
- Can you listen to your downloaded audiobooks offline?
- Do you own the audiobook when you buy it?
If you’ve been an Audible user for years, deleting your audiobook app can feel daunting. But take it from us when we say there are better audiobook subscriptions out there. Feel free to swing by one of our events or contact us with any questions you may have. It’s time to make the switch—you won’t regret it!