There are numerous programs that can crack Audible DRM and convert Audible files to common audio formats such as MP3. Most of them are commercial software, but is there any free Audible converter out there? I have delved further and listed the best free Audible converters here for your reference.
Why need Audible Converter?
It is so frustrating to pay so much money for Audible, but I can't listen to the books on my non-Audible-compatible devices.
Although the Audible app comes with a decent media player, not everyone is fascinated by it. The majority of Audible users prefer to use their own MP3 player to play audiobooks. But what if their MP3 player is not compatible with Audible? Due to the Audible DRM, you cannot transfer Audible to your favorite MP3 player. That's why we need an Audible converter.
Moreover, if you want to back up your Audible books, converting the Audible file to a common file format will help you safeguard your Audible books.
The aim of this article is to provide you with a list of free AAX to MP3 converters available in the market. Our focus is to help you find the best free Audible converter that can efficiently convert your Audible files to common MP3 files.
Tool 1: Free audio recording tool
It's possible to convert Audible files to MP3 using a recording tool, such as Apowersoft Online Audio Recorder. It allows you to record an Audible audiobook while it's playing online throug a browser.
1. Go to Apowersoft online audio recorder website, and then click "Start Recording".
2. Then select the audio source as the "System Sound" and then click again "Start Recording".
3. After the recording is finished, click the "Save" to save the Audible audiobook as an local MP3 file.
However, the real-time ripping process takes a long time, and the output sound quality is damaged.
Tool 2: AAX Audio Converter
Available on: Windows Only
The AAX Audio Converter is a genuine free and open-source Audible converter that can effectively convert Audible .aax files to MP3, M4B or M4A format.
How to use Free AAX Audio Converter?
1. Launch AAX audio Converter and add audible files. You can add multiple audible files to this software at one time. However, you would need to repeat the following steps for each file to convert them individually.
2. Select output format.
3. It is optional to choose whether to convert the Audible file into a single file or separate chapters.
4. Select the location where you want to save your converted files.
5. Click on the "Convert" button to initiate the conversion process. Once the conversion is completed, a pop-up notification will appear indicating that the task has been completed.
Note:
(1) Actually, if you directly add the AAX file downloaded from the Audible website to Audio Converter, you will fail to convert it to MP3.
(2) It requires personal activation code to process their Audible audiobooks. If you don't know where to find it, you must install another program called Book Lib Connect to download your Audible books as AAX files.
(3) Book Lib Connect is an integrated component of AAX Audio Converter. An activation code is not needed for books downloaded with Book Lib Connect.
This audible converter is completely free but not easy-to-use.It is important to note that there is currently no version of AAX Audio Converter available for Mac users. If you are a Mac user in search of an Audible converter, consider exploring best alternative to AAX Audio Converter.
Tool 3: OpenAudible--Not free any more
One such option is OpenAudible, a cross-platform audiobook converter designed for use on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Although it was previously free, it no longer is.I have personally downloaded the free version of OpenAudible (version 1.0) in the past. However, upon attempting to open it recently, I received the following error message.
Once I installed the most recent version (V2.3.5), I found myself unable to perform any actions without a license. Specifically, when attempting to include audible books, a notification appeared.
Without a trial version, payment must be made before testing it out. Therefore, it is recommended to steer clear of this outdated audible converter that is offered for free.
Tol 4: Free Online Audible Converter
In addition to the Audible Converter Download, there is now a free online aax to mp3 converter available for converting aax files to mp3.
Audible-tools.kamsker.at webiste provides a simple and user-friendly tool that enables users to import AAX files from local computer and convert them to M4B, MP3 and FLAC format.
How to use online audio converter?
(1) Open your browser and go to this online audio converter website.
(2) Drag and drop AAX files or click to select your AAX files from the computer.
(3) Select the ouput format and click the "Convert" button.
(4) Wait for a moment, the converted MP3 file will be automatically downloaded to your local computer.
PS: This online converter tool has file size limits, and you're not allowed to split your audiobooks into chapter.
Tool 5: inAudible
Download inAudible Windows Version
Download inAudible Mac version (I cannot download the inaudible Mac from this download link.)
Available on: both Windows and Mac
As the name tell, inAudible is dedicated to removing audible drm and converting audible aa/aax files to popular audio formats like mp3, wav, m4b, flac, etc. And it is developed by THE GUN, completely free and open-source.
Compared with other free audible converter, this one is full-featured, such as, splitting audible into chapters, setting CBR bitrate, VBR quality, rip CD(Windows only), editing tags and more.
If it's your first time using this software, you'll be prompted to set it up. Simply follow the instructions provided in the software to complete the setup process.
1. On the top menu bar, click File>>Open>>Audible/M4B to add audible files to inaudible.
2. Set the output folder and output format. Usually, it has been set when you first launch this software.
3. Then click “Begin Conversion”.
4. Wait until the conversion finished. Then click “Output file” to open the folder storing the converted mp3 file.
As I cannot download inaudible for Mac. So I have not tested it.
As for the inaudible Windows software, it does the job well. However, it includes many features that I did not need, and the interface is not user-friendly. If you only require a free audible converter to convert audible books to mp3 on Windows, then it can be helpful.
Tool 6: Libation Audible Converter
Available on: Windows/Mac/Linux
Libation is another opensource Audible converter that is completely free to download and convert audible file to drm free. Currently, it is fully supported on Windows, Linux, and macOS. We just reviewed this tool on Windows, the steps on Mac are diffirent. Please check this guide to get Libation running on Mac.
As for its functions, you can import the Audible library, which includes cover art, and also download and remove DRM from Audible audiobooks. Additionally, you can download the accompanying PDFs. It supports a wide range of regions, including the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, India, and Spain.
How to use Libation Audible Converter
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1. Download and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
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2. Launch it and then click "Settings" >> "Account" to open the new window. Here, fill in your Audible email and choose your Audible account marketplace.
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3. The Audible login window will then appear. Fill in your password and login. Note: You may be requested to enter characters shown in the image multiple times to protect your Audible account.
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4. The program will now scan your Audible library and display all your Audible books.
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5. Click the "Traffic lights" icon to download and decrypt your Audible books. Once finished, the light will turn green.
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6. To find the converted files, go back to the menu bar, select "Settings" >> "Settings," and you'll see the location of your books as shown in the picture below.
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And the downloaded audible book is in drm-free m4b format.
I have tried to convert the Audible to MP3 multiple times, but I have not received any response or successful conversion.
I have to admit that Libation Audible Converter does a great job on downloading audible to m4b format. But it will request you to login to your Audible account and its output format is m4b format. So for mp3 lover, it is not the first choice.
We have tested and reviewed 6 free audible converters for now. However, while they all claim to be free, OpenAudible is no longer free.
The online Audible Converter lacks stability and is limited by the size of the Audible files.
Have you noticed that all the working free audible converters only work on Windows platform? Unfortunately, there is not valid free audible converter for Mac. However, don't worry. We have also collected the best paid Audible converter for both Windows and Mac for you, which is Epubor Audible Converter.
Tool 7: aax2mp3_easy
AAX2MP3_easy is also an open-source AAX to MP3 converter tool available on GitHub, specializing in converting Audible AAX audiobooks to MP3. However, the conversion process itself and the tools' usage can be complex, often requiring some programming knowledge or familiarity with specific software.
Best Free Audible Converter Alternative—Epubor Audible Converter (Paid Software)
Compared with the free audible converter, Epubor Audible converter is much easier-to-use and obtain all the functions all I need.
- Support converting from AAX and AAXC;
- Download Audible to computer;
- Convert Audible books to MP3/M4B/MP4;
- Split Audible into chapters;
- Up to 1000X faster conversion speed.
How to use Epubor Audible Converter?
Step 1. Launch Epubor Audible converter, select the correct Audible Region, and login to Audible account in Epubor Audible Converter.
Step 2. Click "Refresh” button to load your Audible library in the left column. Then drag the books from left to right side. Check the box before "Split by chapters" in the bottom area.
Step 3. Then select “Convert to M4B” , “Convert to MP3” , or "Convert to MP4" to convert Audible file to common file format. Once finished, click on "Open" button to pop up the output folder containing the converted files.
I don't want to login to Audible within Epubor Audible Converter. Can I add Audible aax to Epubor Audible Converter?
Sure, you can download Audible books to your computer in AAX format and then drag and drop them into Epubor Audible Converter to convert them to MP3, M4B, or MP4 format.
Final Words
Comparison of Tools and Methods
| Tools | Free/Paid | Platform | Chapters | Output | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online audio recorder | Free | Web/Win/Mac | No | MP3 | Low sound quality |
| AAX Audio Converter | Free | Windows | Yes | MP3/M4A/M4B | Need activation code |
| Open Audible | Paid | Win/Mac | Yes | MP3 | Not free anymore |
| inAudible | Free | Win/Mac | Yes | MP3 | Interface is not user-friendly |
| Libatition | Free | Win/Mac/Linux | Yes | M4B | Difficult to use on MacOS |
| AAX2MP3 | Free | Win/Mac | Yes | MP3 | Require programming skills |
| Epubor Audible Converter | Paid | Win/Mac | Yes | MP3/MP4/M4B | Easy to use, but has trial limits |
Editor's pick:
Although the trial version of Epubor Audible Converter only converts 1 entire book, it is considered the best Audible converter due to its impressive functions and customer service, despite its cost. The Epubor team regularly updates the commercial software to tackle the latest Audible DRM and provides 24/7 customer service, including live chat, to assist you in resolving any issues immediately.
If you have financial constraints, the free audible converters are a viable option. However, if you prefer constant software updates and reliable customer support, then Epubor Audible Converter is the ideal choice.
Iris Yan has been a passionate member of Epubor since 2017. Her mission is to enhance your ebook reading experience by sharing insightful tips and tricks. Join her on a journey towards reading excellence today!
Also, as far as we concerned, audible format 1 is an old format with .aa extension. You can just contact us via support@epubor.com to get further assistance.