Are you searching for Audible alternatives? Curious about the top Audible competitors worth trying?
Audible is a powerhouse — massive catalog, polished features, and excellent device support — but it’s far from the only option. Maybe you want something more affordable, DRM-free, truly unlimited, or a service that supports local bookstores. Whatever matters most to you, there are plenty of great choices.
Here are 14 Audible alternatives I’d recommend, grouped by what makes them stand out — along with pros, cons, and what kind of listener each might work for.
Pro tip: Before switching to the alternative for Audible , please backup your Audible books first.
- Part 1: Free Audible Alternatives-- OverDrive/Libby, Hoopla, Librivox
- Part 2: Cheaper Audible Alternative --audiobooksnow
- Part 3: DRM-free Audible Alternative -- Downpour, Libro.fm
- Part 4: Unlimited listening Audible Alternative -- Scribd/Everand
- Part 5: No Subscription Required-- Google Play Audiobooks, Chirp
- Part 6: Best Audible Competitors -- Nook, Kobo, Audiobooks.com
- Part 7: Best Audible Alternative in Europe -- Storytel, Nextory
- Part 8: Audible Alternative Comparison Table
Audible Audiobooks
Do you really want to give up Audible? I have to say, Audible is truly the best. Let me show you its basic features first.
Title: Audible offers an extensive collection of over 200,000 audiobooks, including many classics and bestsellers.
Subscription Plans:
Audible Plus (Price $7.95 a month)--includes unlimited listening from the Audible Plus Catalog of select audiobooks and podcasts. There are about 11,000 audio files in the Plus catalog.
Audible Premium Plus (Price $14.95 a month)-- includes unlimited listening from the Audible Plus Catalog + premium selection credits.
Part 1 Best Free Alternatives to Audible --OverDrive/Libby, Hoopla, Librivox
Sure, Audible has a few free titles, but did you know there are other places where you can listen to audiobooks without paying a dime? If you’re on the hunt for free alternatives, here are two fantastic options that let you enjoy audiobooks completely free.
1. OverDrive/Libby --The best free Audible Alternative
OverDrive and its companion app Libby let you borrow thousands of ebooks and audiobooks from your local library and enjoy them for free on almost any device. With support from more than 30,000 libraries worldwide, all you need is a valid library card from a participating library. While both OverDrive and Libby give you access to the same catalog, Libby offers a modern, user-friendly design that makes listening a breeze. It automatically downloads your borrowed audiobooks, remembers your place, saves bookmarks, and even syncs across devices. Keep in mind that your selection depends on what your library owns, but with millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and even videos in the collection, chances are you’ll find plenty to love. Together, OverDrive and Libby are among the very best free alternatives to Audible.
- 1. All audiobooks can be rented for free;
- 2. The Libby app is flexible and user-friendly;
- 3. Easy to access the latest release or even best sellers.
- 1. Limited to the library that you own the library card.
- 2. You don’t own the books.
If you are looking for ways to borrow free audiobooks from Libby, you can read the complete guide on How to Borrow, Listen and Download Libby Audiobooks to PC, Mac.
2. Hoopla -- Another Free Audible Alternative
Hoopla Digital is another fantastic way to get free audiobooks through your library. With just a library card from a participating branch, you can borrow audiobooks, ebooks, movies, TV shows, and even comics — all from the same app. The best part? Titles are available instantly, so you don’t have to wait on long hold lists like you sometimes do with Libby. The trade-off is that libraries usually set a monthly borrowing limit (often around 5–10 titles per month), but since it covers so many formats, it’s still an incredible deal. If your library offers Hoopla, it’s absolutely worth adding to your audiobook rotation as a free alternative to Audible.
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- 1. Completely free with a library card (no subscription required).
- 2. Instant access — no waiting lists like Libby.
- 1. Borrowing limits — most libraries cap you at 5–10 titles per month.
- 2. Availability depends on your library — not all libraries partner with Hoopla.
- 3. Catalog isn’t as big as Audible’s or even Libby’s for newer/popular titles.
3. Librivox -- Free Alternative to Audible
Librivox is a treasure trove of free audiobooks, all in the public domain. Volunteers from around the world record classics in dozens of languages, so while the audio quality can vary, the price is unbeatable — it’s always free. You can just listen, or even volunteer to record a book yourself. If you love older works or want to dip into timeless classics without spending a penny, Librivox is one of the best free Audible alternatives out there.
- 1. All books are totally free.
- 2. Be able to access the classic works.
- 3. Easy to find audiobooks in different languages.
- 1. Audiobooks are very old.
- 2. The quality of the audiobooks are not as good as Audible.com.
Part 2 Cheaper Alternative to Audible -- audiobooksnow
If you still want “real” recent titles but without paying full Audible prices, these are worth checking out.
4. audiobooksnow
audiobooksnow can be considered the most affordable Audible alternative. The Club Pricing Plan offers the best deal on digital audiobooks available. In contrast to Audible's subscription fee of $14.99 per month, the Club Pricing Plan is priced at $4.99. Additionally, the Club Pricing Plan provides a 50% discount on your first audiobook each month and 35-40% off on all other purchases. With a library featuring over 80,000 titles, including classics and bestsellers, AudiobooksNow caters to a diverse audience. The app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, allowing you to download audiobooks for offline listening. Moreover, you can also stream your purchases to your computer through your web browser without the need for any additional apps. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to audible, tryAudiobooksnow.
- 1. The subscription plan is much cheaper than Audible's.
- 2. Some audiobooks are not protected by DRM.
- 1. Some DRM-protected audiobooks are not downloadable.
- 2. Availability depends on your library — not all libraries partner with Hoopla.
- 3. Catalog isn’t as big as Audible’s or even Libby’s for newer/popular titles.
Part 3 DRM-free Audible Alternative -- Downpour, Libro.fm
It is universal known that all Audible books are protected with DRM and only can be played at Audible compatible devices and apps. Another Audible competitor -- Downpour, which offers the DRM-free audiobooks.
5. Downpour
The biggest draw of Downpour is that all of its audiobooks are DRM-free. That means once you buy a book, it’s truly yours — you can listen on any device or app without restrictions. Their subscription runs $12.99 a month, which makes it a little easier on the wallet than Audible Premium Plus.
Downpour also gives you flexibility: you can choose to buy audiobooks outright or rent them at a lower cost. With a catalog of around 70,000 titles, there’s plenty to explore. Just a heads up — while you can purchase extra credits, some books cost two credits, which can work out pricier than Audible in certain cases. Still, for DRM-free listening, Downpour is a strong alternative.
- 1. Subscription fee is cheaper than Audible's.
- 2. Audiobooks are available for renting.
- 3. Audiobooks are DRM-free.
- 1. The Downpour app is very simple and can not let you browse for new titles.
6. Libro.fm
Founded in 2014, Libro.fm partners with more than 2500 books stores around the world to sell audiobooks and has members in 60 countries. Although Libro.fm is an audiobook service that very similar to Audible, they enable you to allocate a portion of your audiobook sales to support an independent bookstore of your choosing! How does it work? You have the option to purchase books individually from Libro.fm at their listed price, or you can opt for their monthly subscription service, which provides credits redeemable for any audiobook in their extensive catalog. Additionally, audiobooks are available for purchase in their sale section. If you want to start a membership, and the price is $14.99 per month for 1 credit.
- 1. Your payment will go to the independent bookstore of your choice.
- 2. You can buy the audiobook with or without the membership.
- 3. Your can download your purchased audiobooks as mp3 format and listen to them on any of your favorite device.
- 1. Its subscription fee is higher than Audible's.
- 2. It only has over 400000 audiobooks.
Part 4 Audible Alternative with Unlimited listening -- Scribd/Everand
Different from other Audible alternatives, some websites similar to Audible but offers the unlimited listening service, like Scrid-Everand.
7. Scribd/Everand
Scribd/Everand's unlimited service was launched on February 6, 2018, with a primary focus on ebooks rather than audiobooks. I attempted to ascertain the number of audiobook titles it contains, but precise data is not available. However, Scribd mentions in its FAQ that it offers hundreds of thousands of ebooks, audiobooks, and News & Magazines from over hundreds of publishers. With a premium membership priced at $11.99/month, users have unlimited access to the premium collection. It's important to note that not all titles are consistently available, and if you only encounter a preview of a specific title, a notification will indicate when the full access will be granted. Since the November of 2023, the Scribd moves its ebooks and audibooks to its branch: Everand. If you are a subscriber to Scribd, your subscription provides you access to all three of our products: Everand, Scribd, and SlideShare.
Learn how to download Everand Audiobooks to AAC.
- 1. Unlimited access to both ebooks and audiobooks, but not for all books.
- 2. Provide access to Everand, Scribd, and SlideShare.
- 1. Popular titles may occasionally be restricted, not all books are always available, subscription required.
Part 5 Pay-As-You-Go / No Subscription Required -- Google Play Audiobooks, Chirp
When it comes to audiobooks, most platforms use membership or subscription plans, but some let you "purchase audiobooks without any subscription". These sites often make the strongest alternatives to Audible. These two Audiobook model deserve your attention.
8. Google Play Audiobooks
As a competitor to Amazon, Google Play Audiobooks entered the audiobook market at the beginning of 2018. A significant distinction from Audible's audiobooks is that Google Play does not offer a subscription plan. This means there is no mandatory monthly membership fee that provides one audiobook per month. Instead, users can choose to purchase Google Play audiobooks at any time, often with special discounts offered by Google.
Google Play audiobooks are accessible on various platforms, including Android, iOS, web, home speakers, and devices that use Google Assistant. Despite the absence of an official report from Google detailing the exact number of titles in its audiobook collection, it is assumed to have fewer titles than Audible, given its relatively recent entry into the audiobook industry.
For individuals who do not plan to listen to one audiobook every month, Google Play audiobooks offer flexibility. Additionally, every audiobook purchased remains securely stored in your account for as long as you desire.
- 1. No subscription requirement.
- 2. Audiobooks can be listened at multiple devices.
- 1. The titles are much less than Audible.
9. Chirp
Chirp is dedicated to helping you discover new books and audiobooks at affordable prices. Different from other audiobooks service, it doesn't charge a monthly subscription fee. To access the Chirp audiobooks, you just simply buy your books and get access to them via the Chirp audiobooks app. If you have signed up for their email, you'll receive the daily emails which has pointed out the best deals for you.
Learn how to convert chirp audiobooks to mp3.
- 1. No subscription fees, credits, or waitlists.
- 2. It offers a lot of really Low prices on popular audiobooks, but the deals are changing constantly.
- 1. The titles are much less than Audible.
- 2. It is only available in US and Canada only for now.
- 3. You are not able to view the audiobooks on the Chirp app before purchasing them which is a little bit inconvenience.
Part 6 Best Audible Competitors--Nook Audiobooks, Kobo Audiobooks, Audiobooks.com
Just like Google Play, Nook, and Kobo compete with Amazon in the ebook world, they’re also solid contenders in the audiobook market, giving listeners more flexibility and choice.
10. Nook Audiobooks
Differing from the recent entrant Google Play, Nook has been selling audiobooks for a few years. Nook distinguishes itself by not having an audiobook membership plan, eliminating the need for a monthly fee. As an alternative to Audible, Nook offers a collection of around 60,000 titles, which is relatively smaller compared to other Audible alternatives. Adopting a pay-as-you-go model, Nook allows users to make individual purchases without being tied to a subscription service. Nook Audiobook proves to be a favorable choice, particularly for individuals who infrequently listen to audiobooks, as it provides flexibility without the commitment of a subscription. Learn how to convert Nook audiobooks to mp3.
- 1. No monthly fee.
- 2. Decent selection of audiobooks.
- 1. Nook audiobooks can only be listened with Nook app for Android, iOS.
- 2. Nook audiobooks cannot be returned and are non-refundable once they have been downloaded to your device.
11. Kobo Audiobooks
Kobo can be assumed as the most Audible-like alternative. It added audiobooks to its offering from 2017 and already has a large collection of over 5 million of the world's best eBooks and audiobooks. Like Audible, it also has audiobook subscription service which costs $9.9 per month. You can get 1 credit which can be redeemed for one audiobook. A big drawback of Kobo audiobook is that the audiobooks only can be listened with Kobo app for Android and iOS which means you can not listen to audiobooks on your computer.
Learn How to convert Kobo audiobooks to MP3.
- 1. Membership is cheaper than Audible's.
- 2. Membership covers both ebooks and audiobooks.
- 1. Audiobook titles are fewer than Audible.
- 2. Kobo audiobooks can only be listened with Kobo app for Android, iOS.
12. Audiobooks.com
Audiobooks.com is a popular subscription-based platform that gives you access to over 200,000 titles. Similar to Audible, it uses a “credit system”, where each credit lets you purchase one audiobook per month. The app is easy to use, syncs across devices, and offers features like bookmarking, sleep timers, and offline listening.
One standout feature is its “VIP Rewards program”, which provides extra free audiobooks every month, giving more value for subscribers. While it’s subscription-based like Audible, Audiobooks.com offers a straightforward interface and a large library that appeals to both casual and avid audiobook listeners.
Learn How to Transfer Audiobooks.com Books to MP3 Player.
- 1. VIP Rewards program is attractive.
- 1. Audiobook titles are fewer than Audible.
- 2. The price is extremely high due to the credit system.
Part 7 Best Audible Alternative in Europe -- Storytel, Nextory
13. Storytel Audiobooks
Storytel is another European-based subscription ebook and audiobook service provider. It has excellent multilingual support covering over 150 languages, including English, Dutch, Swedish, Hindi, German, Korean, and many more. While similar to Audible, Storytel offers its fair share of exclusives, often focusing on local talent and unique storytelling. If you are interested in region-specific stories, Storytel Audiobooks is a good option for you.
Learn How to Convert Storytel Audiobook to MP3.
- 1. You'll get Unlimited access to ebooks and audiobooks.
- 2. You can listen to the region-specific stories.
- 1. The Storytel collection is still smaller than Audible’s library.
- 2. It is not available for users in many English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
14. Nextory Audiobooks
Nextory is one of Europe’s leading audiobook and eBook subscription services, founded in Sweden and now available in more than 10 European countries including Germany, Spain, Finland, and the Netherlands. Unlike Audible’s credit-based model, Nextory offers unlimited listening and reading with tiered subscription plans, making it especially attractive to heavy readers and listeners.
Its catalog includes hundreds of thousands of titles across fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books in multiple languages, with strong coverage of European publishers. Nextory also offers personalized recommendations, themed reading challenges, and family plans that allow several profiles under one subscription.
Learn How to Convert Nextory Audiobook to MP3.
- 1. Unlimited audiobooks and eBooks (no credits required).
- 2. Large multilingual catalog with strong European publisher support.
- 3. Family plans with multiple profiles.
- 1. Not yet available outside Europe.
- 2. Catalog may be smaller than Audible’s in English-language titles.
- 3. Some features vary depending on the country.
Audible Alternative Comparison Table
I’ve listed the most important features of Audible Alternative in the table below. Take a look and choose the one that suits you best.
| Price | Titles | Supported system | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audible | Audible Plus ($7.95/month) Audible Premium Plus ( $14.95 /month) |
Over 11000 ebooks, audiobooks and video's for unlimited listening( Audible Plus Over 200,000 audiobooks |
iOS, Android(Libby), web |
| Libby/ OverDrive | Free | Over 2 000,000 ebooks, audiobooks and videos | iOS, Android, Windows 10(Libby) |
| Hoopla Digital | Free | More than 1.5 million titles across its different media types (ebooks, audiobooks, comics & manga, music, movies, TV, etc. | iOS, Android, Web |
| Librivox | Free | Over 15,000 | No apps, listen and download audiobooks from website directly |
| audiobooksnow | $4.99/Month+50% off for every purchase | Over 80,000 | iOS, Android, web browser |
| Downpour | $12.99/Month for 1credit+buy or rent audiobooks | Around 70,000 | Android, iOS, Web browser |
| Libro.fm | $14.99/month for 1 credit | over 400,000 | Android, iOS |
| Everand/ Scribd | $11.99/month for unlimited access to ebooks and audiobooks, which include access to Everand, Scribd, and SlideShare | Around 70,000 | Android, iOS, Web browser |
| Google play Audiobooks | No subscription required | no data from Google | Android, iOS, web, home speakers and devices that use google assistant |
| Nook Audiobooks | No subscription required | Not clear | Android, iOS |
| Chirp | No subscription required | 60,000 | Android, iOS, Web browser |
| Kobo Audiobooks | $9.99/Month for 1 credit+buy audiobooks with credits or money | over 5000,000 of audiobooks and ebooks | Android, iOS |
| Audiobooks.com | $14.95/month for 1 credit+purchase additional credits any time | over 1,000,000 | Android, iOS |
| Storytel | €6.49 per month (varies by region)+unlimited access to ebooks and audiobooks | over 400,000 | Android, iOS | Nextory | €7.99/month (varies by region)+unlimited access to ebooks and audiobooks | More than 1 million titles | Android, iOS |
After exploring so many Audible alternatives, which one stands out to you? If you still prefer Audible audiobooks but sometimes feel limited by its DRM restrictions—there’s an easy solution. Meet the Epubor Audible Converter. This powerful tool lets you convert your Audible books into DRM-free MP3 files while preserving their original quality. It even supports splitting audiobooks by chapter or by time. Try the free trial today and enjoy your Audible as MP3 format.
Iris Yan Marketing Architect at Epubor since 2017, drives the brand’s product design, advertising, and all-channel strategy.
Audible service and staff attitude is a clear indication that Amazon is getting closer to the end of its life cycle!
They are so arrogant and you have to beg them to activate your membership while they promise somebody will contact you in 24 hours.
I can bet the Amazon will be phased out in 5 years or even less!
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I appreciate all your research. Thank you.
But...I. Did not see Hoopla mentioned. Depending on your library a person can rent movies, ebooks, audio books from 4to 10 titles each month for 21 days at no cost.
It is odd though that Palm Harbor only allows 4 per month but Clearwater library about 3 miles south allows 10! So check to see how your local library is set up and apply for your card at the most generous library.
Regards
This info is priceless to me!
I do still use OverDrive and Librivox for some things and I occasionally look to see if another audio service has entered the racebut I aways go back to Audible.