Audible Alternatives (2026): 10 Audiobook Apps and Services

Audible is the audiobook service most people have heard of, and it does a good job for plenty of listeners. But it isn't the only way to get a book read to you. You might want a service that lets you borrow, a store where you pick one title at a time, or a free way to listen to classics.

This page lists ten Audible alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. I've mixed smaller services, library apps and a few better-known names, and everything comes from each tool's own website or help pages. If you like comparing apps for other jobs too, my guides to Otter AI alternatives and Notion alternatives follow the same plain approach.

Audible alternatives audiobook apps at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free way to use it, such as free borrowing through a library, free samples or free recordings. Trial only means a free trial with no ongoing free plan. No means the site didn't state a free plan. Offers change, so check the current details before you sign up.

Tool	Type of app	Good for	Free plan
Apple Books	Book and audiobook app	Listening on Apple devices, with free samples	Yes
Audiobooks.com	Audiobook service	Trying a service before you commit	Trial only
Audiobookshelf	Self-hosted audio server	Running your own audiobook library	Yes
BorrowBox	Library lending app	Borrowing audiobooks with a library membership	No
Chirp	Audiobook store	Choosing single titles with no membership	No
Everand	Reading and listening subscription	Audiobooks, ebooks and podcasts together	Trial only
hoopla	Library lending service	Borrowing audiobooks, comics and films through a library	Yes
Libby	Library lending app	Borrowing audiobooks from your local library	Yes
LibriVox	Free volunteer-read audiobooks	Classic public domain books in many languages	Yes
Storytel	Audiobook and ebook service	Families and listeners who want a large catalogue	No

Ten audiobook apps and Audible alternatives, A to Z

Apple Books

Best for: Apple device owners who like to sample a title first and keep their audiobooks and ebooks together in one app.

Audiobooks.com

Best for: Listeners who want a dedicated audiobook service with a free trial to see whether the catalogue suits them.

Audiobookshelf

Best for: Tech-minded listeners who already own audio files and want an open source server with web and phone apps.

BorrowBox

Best for: Library members who want to borrow eAudiobooks and eBooks on a phone or tablet through their local library.

Chirp

Best for: Listeners who'd rather pick one audiobook at a time and keep it in the app than join a monthly plan.

Everand

Best for: Readers who want audiobooks, ebooks and podcasts under one subscription, with a free trial to start.

hoopla

Best for: Library members who want instant borrowing of audiobooks alongside comics, music and films through their library card.

Libby

Best for: Anyone with a library card who wants audiobooks and ebooks from a participating library, free through the library.

LibriVox

Best for: Lovers of classic literature who'd like free recordings of public domain books, read by volunteers around the world.

Storytel

Best for: Households that want audiobooks and ebooks in several languages, with a kids' mode and offline downloads.

Picking among these Audible alternatives by how you listen to audiobooks

Start with how you like to listen, not with the biggest catalogue. Someone who gets through a book a week on the commute has different needs from someone who listens to one or two a year on holiday. Be honest about which one's you.

• Borrow, own or stream. Library apps let you borrow, stores let you keep a title, and subscription services let you listen to a whole catalogue while you're a member.
• Your library card. If you already belong to a library, a lending app may give you audiobooks without joining anything new.
• Languages. If you listen in more than one language, check what each service offers before you commit.
• Offline listening. Look for downloads if you travel or have patchy signal.
• Devices. Check the app exists for your phone, tablet and car system, and whether progress syncs between them.
• Family sharing. Some services let several people listen, and some give each person a separate account.

Library, store or streaming: the audiobook apps behind Audible alternatives

• Library lending apps suit anyone who borrows books already and doesn't mind waiting for a popular title.
• Subscription services suit heavy listeners who want audiobooks, ebooks and sometimes podcasts in one place.
• Single-title stores suit people who only want the odd audiobook and like to own what they choose.
• Free volunteer recordings suit fans of classic novels, poetry and old non-fiction.
• Self-hosted servers suit people who already have audio files and want one tidy place to play them.

Audiobooks also work for business owners who learn on the move. If you edit your own recordings or share clips, my guides to CapCut alternatives and OBS alternatives may be useful.

Leaving Audible without losing your half-finished audiobooks

1. Make a list of the audiobooks you're halfway through, and finish or note them before you change anything.
2. Check what your current service lets you keep or download, and read its help pages before you leave.
3. Try a library app first if you already have a library card, because it takes the least effort to set up.
4. Sign up for one new service at a time, so you can tell what you like about it.
5. Set up the app on your phone and car system, and test that your place in a book is saved.
6. Keep your old account until you're sure the new one suits you.

Audiobook slip-ups when you try Audible alternatives

• Joining a service for one title, then finding it isn't included in the plan they picked.
• Forgetting that library titles can have a waiting list, and having nothing to listen to this week.
• Not checking whether the app works with the phone, tablet or car they use every day.
• Signing up for several services at once and losing track of which is which.
• Assuming a free trial carries on for ever, when it often ends and rolls into a plan.

Do you make audiobook apps or services? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Closing your Audible alternatives audiobook shortlist

Pick two options that suit how you listen. Try one book on each, check the narrators are easy on the ear, and see how easily you can pick up where you left off. Keep the one that fits your routine, and don't close your old account until you've finished the books you were halfway through.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free alternative for audiobooks?

Yes. Library apps let you borrow audiobooks free of charge to you if your library takes part, and some sites offer free recordings of public domain books. Check each site for current details.

Can I listen to audiobooks without a subscription?

Yes. Some stores sell single titles, library apps lend them, and a few services let you sample before you decide. Each describes how it works on its own site.

Do I need a library card for library audiobook apps?

Usually you do. You sign in with your library membership, and what you can borrow depends on what your library offers, so ask your library how it works.

Can I keep audiobooks if I stop using a service?

It depends on the service. Stores that sell single titles often let you keep them, while subscription services usually only let you listen while you're a member. Read the terms before you start.

What should I do before I leave my old audiobook service?

Finish the books you're halfway through, note down titles you want to find again, and check what you can download or keep. Then close the old account once the new one is working.