Podcasting News Podcast Events Podbean Podcast App

The Ultimate Guide to Audiobooks: Platforms and Options

Audiobooks have surged in popularity as a convenient way to enjoy books through audio.

In this guide, we’ll explore what an audiobook is, where you can find audiobooks (including free audiobook options and top listening platforms), and what to consider when choosing an audiobook service

Whether you’re a podcast listener curious about audiobooks or an avid reader looking for listening platforms, this article will help you navigate the world of audiobooks in a neutral, informative way.

What Is an Audiobook?

An audiobook is essentially an audio recording of a book being read aloud. Instead of reading text on a page, you listen to the narration – which might be performed by the author, a professional voice actor, or even a celebrity.

This format has surged in popularity in recent years, becoming a mainstream way to enjoy literature. In fact, over half of U.S. adults have listened to an audiobook (around 137 million people), and 38% listened to at least one in the past year – up from 35% the year before (Source: Edison Research). 

Global audiobook sales have also climbed steadily, rising about 9–13% annually in recent years and topping $2 billion in 2023. This growth is fueled by our busy, mobile lifestyles and the convenience of on-demand audio entertainment.

Audiobooks are increasingly accessible through many platforms and apps. Big tech and publishing companies have invested heavily in audiobooks, and even library apps now make it simple to borrow digital audiobooks for free.

Accessibility is a key driver: 72% of listeners say it’s important that audiobooks are available on their favorite listening platform, and 63% value access via library apps

In 2023 alone, listeners worldwide borrowed 235 million audiobooks from libraries, a 23% jump from the previous year. Clearly, audiobooks aren’t just a trend – they’re becoming an integral part of how we consume books, alongside e-books and podcasts.

Audiobooks vs. Podcasts: What’s the Difference?

If you’re a podcast listener, you might wonder how audiobooks differ from podcasts. Both are forms of spoken-word audio entertainment, but they serve different purposes and formats:

Content Format

Audiobooks provide immersive, long-form storytelling – often one continuous narrative spanning many hours – much like a full book. 

Podcasts, on the other hand, are usually episodic and varied; they might feature conversations, interviews, news, or serialized stories in shorter episodes.

Listening Experience

When you start an audiobook, you’re typically committing to a single story or topic for a longer duration, similar to reading a novel. P

odcast episodes are often shorter and can be enjoyed one at a time; listeners may hop between different podcasts or episodes on various topics.

Audiobooks demand a bit more dedicated attention, whereas podcasts often serve as background listening during daily activities.

Production

Audiobooks are usually professionally produced with higher production value (editing, sound quality, sometimes music), given they originate from published books. Podcasts range from DIY recordings by hobbyists to highly produced shows, but generally they’re more informal and accessible to create.

Despite these differences, audiobooks and podcasts complement each other in the audio landscape. Many audiobook fans also enjoy podcasts and vice versa. In fact, some creators serialize audiobook content as podcast episodes, and some podcasts provide audiobook-like storytelling.

Both formats let you consume stories and information hands-free, using just your ears and imagination.

What Should You Consider When Choosing an Audiobook Platform?

With so many audiobook platforms available, how do you decide which one is right for you? Here are some key factors to consider when choosing an audiobook service:

Listening Habits

Think about how many audiobooks you typically listen to in a month. If you’re a power listener who goes through several books a month, a subscription with a monthly credit or unlimited listening might be cost-effective.

If you only finish an audiobook occasionally, you might prefer a pay-as-you-go platform (so you’re not paying a monthly fee during slow periods). 

In other words, match the service to your consumption rate – heavy listeners benefit from subscriptions, while infrequent listeners may stick to library apps or one-off purchases.

Budget and Cost

Audiobook services have different pricing models. Some use monthly subscriptions with credits (e.g. Audible, Audiobooks.com, Libro.fm), others offer all-you-can-listen access (Scribd’s membership, for example), and some are completely free (libraries, Librivox). Evaluate what you’re willing to spend. 

Consider the value: a credit-based plan usually costs $14.95 for one book a month – is that cheaper than buying that audiobook outright? If you’re on a tight budget, maximize free sources first. 

Free doesn’t mean low quality – library and public domain audiobooks can keep you busy for a long time at no cost.

User Experience & Features

A platform’s app and features will affect your enjoyment. Look for things like a user-friendly app (easy search, bookmarks, sleep timer, adjustable narration speed, etc.).

If you use certain devices or ecosystems, that could sway you: for instance, Apple users might enjoy the seamless integration of Apple Books, whereas Android/Windows users might lean toward Google Play Books or Audible (since Audible works on almost anything). 

Also, consider if you want the ability to sync across devices (start on your phone, continue on your tablet or computer) – again, most offer this via cloud syncing, but it’s worth confirming.

Ownership vs. Rental Model

Different platforms handle ownership differently. With Audible or Libro.fm (credit systems), you own the audiobooks you download – even if you cancel your subscription, you keep your purchased audiobooks. 

With Scribd or similar unlimited services, you’re essentially renting access – if you cancel, you lose access to all that content. Library and free sources are more like rentals/borrowing as well (loans expire). 

Decide if it’s important for you to permanently own a digital audiobook file. If you love collecting and re-listening to favorites, owning might matter; if you rarely re-read, it might not.

Community and Ethical Factors

Some listeners appreciate when their choice of platform aligns with their values. For example, Libro.fm’s support of independent bookstores or choosing library loans to support public libraries. 

Another example: Libro.fm appeals to those who prioritize community support and ethical consumption.

On the flip side, Amazon’s Audible, while convenient, keeps one giant company dominant; some may prefer to diversify.

This is a personal consideration, but it can make you feel even better about your audiobook habit if it supports something you care about.

Exclusive Content or Extras

Finally, check if a platform offers exclusives that interest you.

Audible has Audible Originals (audio content you can’t get elsewhere). Spotify might include some audiobooks in a music/podcast bundle. Some platforms also include podcast access or other media. If you enjoy multiple forms of media, a combo platform could be a great fit.

Keep these factors in mind and prioritize what matters most to you. “Factors such as listening habits, budget, preferred content, and the importance of supporting independent bookstores should all be considered” when picking an audiobook service. The good news is that with the variety of options available, you can likely find an audiobook platform (or a combination of a few) that perfectly suits your needs and lifestyle.

Where to Find Audiobooks: Best Platforms and Apps

There are many platforms and apps where you can listen to audiobooks. Some services are free (or offer free content), while others are paid platforms via subscriptions or one-time purchases. Below, we break down the best options for finding audiobooks:

Free Audiobook Sources

Libby (OverDrive) Library Audiobooks

If you have a library card, Libby is a must-have app. It lets you borrow audiobooks (and e-books) for free from your local public library’s digital collection.

Libby’s catalog depends on what your library offers, but it often includes thousands of popular titles – from latest releases to classics – all legally and for free. You might have to place holds on popular books, just like a physical library, but there are no fees whatsoever. 

Library usage of audiobooks is huge: about 46% of audiobook consumers say they borrowed a digital audiobook from a library in the last year.

Apps like Libby (by OverDrive) and Hoopla partner with libraries to provide this service. It’s an excellent way to get bestsellers without paying, though you’ll be limited to what your library has licensed and lending periods (typically 2-3 weeks per loan).

LibriVoxPublic Domain Classics

LibriVox is a volunteer-driven platform that offers free recordings of public domain books – essentially an audio library of classics.

Thousands of volunteers read and record books that are out of copyright (think Pride and Prejudice, Moby Dick, Shakespeare, etc.), and release them for anyone to download.

The audio quality and narration style can vary since these are volunteers, but many recordings are excellent. 

LibriVox has over 50,000 free audiobooks available, and they can be accessed via the LibriVox app, the web, or through podcast feeds.

In fact, LibriVox content often appears in podcast directories as “audiobook podcasts” (more on that later). If you love classic literature or want to explore older titles for free, LibriVox is a treasure trove.

Other sites like Project Gutenberg Audio and Internet Archive Audio also host public domain audiobook files for free download.

Paid Audiobook Platforms (Subscription Services)

Audible

Audible (an Amazon company) is one of the most popular audiobook platforms worldwide. It boasts a massive library of over 500,000 titles, including new releases and exclusive Audible Original productions. 

Audible operates on a hybrid model – you can buy audiobooks individually, or subscribe monthly to get credits (typically one credit equals one audiobook download per month).

A subscription also gives access to a selection of content in the “Plus Catalog.” Audible’s app is robust with features like offline listening, bookmarks, variable speed, and a sleep timer. 

Note that Audible is tightly integrated with Amazon’s ecosystem, which some users love for convenience, though others may prefer more independent platforms. Audible offers a free trial for new users, and even has some free public-domain audiobooks included.

Everand

Formerly Scribd, it is now being rebranded as the “Netflix of reading.” For a flat monthly fee (around $11.99/month), you get unlimited access to Everand’s library of audiobooks, e-books, magazines, and more. There are no credits – you can technically listen to as many books as you want per month. 

You don’t own books with Everand – it’s more like a rental library – but if you finish many books a month, it’s one of the most cost-effective services. It’s great for those who want quantity over ownership and enjoy mixing audiobooks with reading.

(Note: Everand sometimes limits certain titles per month if you consume too quickly, to manage costs, but most casual users won’t notice.)

Audiobooks.com

Audiobooks.com is a popular alternative to Audible, offering a similar subscription model at $14.95/month with 1 credit for any audiobook, plus a VIP credit for curated titles. New users get 3 free audiobooks in their trial, including 2 credits and 1 VIP selection. The app is user-friendly with features like bookmarks, a sleep timer, offline mode, and device syncing. 

Unlike Audible, if you cancel Audiobooks.com, you lose unused credits and VIP books, and may lose access to already listened titles unless fully purchased. Despite this, it’s a great option for those seeking variety or avoiding Amazon, often considered the second-best credit-based service after Audible.

Libro.fm

Libro.fm is an audiobook platform that stands out for its support of independent bookstores. When you purchase audiobooks on Libro.fm (either à la carte or via their monthly membership), a portion of the sale supports a local bookstore of your choice. It has a membership price similar to Audible (around $14.99/month for one credit = one audiobook), but the ethical appeal is strong – you’re helping community bookstores with each listen. 

Another plus: Libro.fm provides DRM-free audiobooks, meaning you truly own the audio files you download and can play them on any device. If supporting local businesses or having more ownership of your content matters to you, Libro.fm is a fantastic option.

Podcast & Music Platforms with Audiobooks (Integrated Services)

Podbean 

Primarily known as a podcast hosting and listening platform, Podbean also offers a rich selection of free audiobooks through its app.

In the Podbean app, you can find an Audiobooks category featuring classic literature and public-domain titles (for example, Jane Austen novels, Dickens, Twain, etc. are available to stream for free). These are often sourced from Librivox recordings and presented as podcast-style series (each chapter as an episode). 

What’s great is that Podbean’s app is completely free to use as an audiobook player, with no subscription or purchase needed for these classics. You can listen to or download audiobooks without any fees – essentially using Podbean as a free audiobook player.

Podbean even curates Top 100 Audiobooks and Editor’s Picks in the app for discovery. It’s an excellent way to dip into audiobooks without commitment, especially for classic novels you’ve always meant to read.

YouTube

Another pseudo-platform for audiobooks is YouTube. We mention it here because YouTube is primarily a video (and music/podcast) platform, but many audiobooks – especially classics – are available on YouTube as long-form videos (sometimes with just a static image). S

ome publishers and authors release official audiobook recordings on YouTube (e.g., for promotional reasons or older books).

However, the majority are uploaded by random users and are often pirated copies, which raises legal and ethical issues. On the plus side, it’s free and easily accessible. 

A La Carte Options (Buy Audiobooks Individually)

Google Play Books & Apple Books

Google Play Books (available on Android , IOS and web) and Apple Books (for iOS/Mac users) are platforms where you can purchase audiobooks à la carte. There’s no subscription fee – you simply buy individual audiobook titles that you want to listen to.

Google Play Books works across Android and Apple devices, syncing via your Google account. Apple Books is built into Apple devices and provides a smooth experience for iPhone/iPad users. 

These stores often have competitive pricing, discounts, or even free classic books. If you only listen to the occasional audiobook and prefer owning your titles outright (without a monthly plan), these one-time purchase options may be best.

Tip: Most major audiobook services offer a free trial period (usually 14 to 30 days) – don’t hesitate to take advantage of these trials to see which platform’s library and interface you prefer.

Also, remember that you’re not limited to one platform; some listeners use multiple sources (for example, Audible for new releases, Libby for free library loans, and Librivox for classics).

Enjoying Audiobooks in the World of Podcasts !

Audiobooks open up a world of stories and knowledge that you can enjoy hands-free, fitting into the busiest of schedules. From free library audiobooks to feature-rich apps and platforms, there’s an option out there for everyone to start listening. The key is to find the service that aligns with your listening habits and preferences, so you get the most value and enjoyment out of it.

If you’re already a podcast listener, consider audiobooks as a complementary way to dive deeper into topics or narratives you love.

And if you’re an audio content creator or an author, you might even explore sharing your own stories in audio form – for example, serializing an audiobook as a podcast.

Ready to dive in?

Why not start by exploring an all-in-one platform that offers both audiobooks and podcasts.

For example, you can try the Podbean app for free – it’s a versatile free audiobook player and podcast app in one. Podbean gives you access to thousands of free audiobook classics and millions of podcast episodes, so you can discover your next great listen effortlessly.

Happy listening, and enjoy the journey – whether it’s through the pages of a book or the waves of a podcast, there’s a whole world of stories waiting for you in audio form.

Let your ears lead the way!

Discover more from Podbean Blog

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading