What is the best audiobook service? You're not alone if you've ever wished you could read more but can't find the time. Maybe you're commuting an hour each way to work, folding endless loads of laundry, or logging miles on the treadmill. Audiobook services solve a problem that's become all too common: wanting to consume great literature, learn new skills, or just escape into a good story, but lacking the chunks of uninterrupted time to sit down with a physical book.
Best Option
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If you're tired of funneling money into tech giants and want your audiobook habit to actually support real bookstores in your community, LibroFM delivers exactly that - without sacrificing selection, quality, or convenience. You'll get access to over 600,000 titles (including nearly all bestsellers), human-curated recommendations from actual booksellers instead of algorithms, and the satisfaction of knowing every purchase helps keep independent bookshops alive. Perfect for readers who refuse to compromise between ethics and excellent service, LibroFM earns our highest 5-star rating and enthusiastic recommendation as the best audiobook platform for anyone who values both their listening experience and where their dollars go.
Great
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If you're budget-conscious or read more than a couple audiobooks each month, Libby is absolutely worth downloading - it connects you to your library's entire digital collection for free, no subscriptions required. This service works best for patient readers who don't mind waiting for popular titles and anyone exploring audiobooks without making a financial commitment, though it's less ideal if you need instant access to the latest bestsellers or don't have a library card. We highly recommend this trustworthy, well-established platform that earns a solid rating for putting thousands of audiobooks in your pocket at zero cost.
Great
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Founded nearly 30 years ago, AudiobooksNow offers you exactly what it says on the tin: "Affordable Audiobooks. No Credits. No Catch." For just $5 monthly, you'll get 50% off your first audiobook and 35-40% off everything else - plus you'll actually own what you buy, with over 95% of their 400,000+ titles available as DRM-free MP3 files you can keep forever. AudiobooksNow is an excellent choice for budget-conscious listeners who value true ownership of their digital content.
Very Good
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If your local library offers Hoopla, you've hit the audiobook jackpot - this free service gives you instant access to thousands of titles without the annoying wait times you'd face on other library apps. Unlike subscription services that'll cost you $15 monthly for a single audiobook credit, Hoopla lets you borrow multiple titles each month (typically 3-15, depending on your library's budget) at absolutely no cost, making it perfect for budget-conscious listeners who hate waiting in digital hold lines. Unfortunately, funding cuts mean some libraries are dropping Hoopla entirely or slashing borrowing limits, which bumps this otherwise excellent service down a bit. We recommend taking full advantage of it while you can and advocating for restored library funding to keep this valuable resource alive.
Very Good
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If you're serious about building an audiobook library you truly own, Downpour offers the freedom of DRM-free downloads that you can listen to on virtually any device - even long after you've canceled your membership. You'll appreciate their straightforward $12.99 monthly membership that includes one credit, but know that some users say fewer titles seem available for credit redemption than in the past. Downpour is an excellent choice for listeners who value ownership over their content.
Good
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If you're tired of subscription traps and limiting credit-based services, Chirp gives you a way out - you buy audiobooks at steep discounts (often $3 to $6 instead of $20+), and they're yours to keep without any monthly fees hanging over your head. It's perfect for bargain hunters who don't mind waiting for deals to rotate in and checking their inbox regularly, but casual listeners who want instant access to specific titles at low prices might feel frustrated. The biggest letdown? DRM restrictions mean you don't truly own what you buy, which keeps Chirp from earning our highest praise - but it's still a reputable choice for budget-conscious audiobook fans who enjoy a bit of deal-hunting.
Good
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Barnes & Noble's audiobook service offers a simple, single-subscription plan with access to over 300,000 titles for $15 monthly. You'll enjoy their straightforward pricing and special collections like GraphicAudio with full cast performances, but be warned - restrictive DRM policies limit true ownership and customer service can be frustratingly difficult. Barnes & Noble works fine for casual listeners, but those who value ownership rights and responsive support should look elsewhere.
Average
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If you're a voracious audiobook listener who consistently uses your credits and doesn't mind being locked into a proprietary app, Audiobooks might be a decent choice at $14.95 per month. You'll appreciate the vast selection of titles and the VIP access to 10,000+ free audiobooks, but you should keep a close eye on your credits - they expire after just three months, unlike competitors who give you longer to use them. With concerning customer service issues (evidenced by an alarming "F" BBB rating) and limited ownership rights over your purchases, this service earns a middling score from us.
Fair
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BookLender is a time-capsule of audiobook services, delivering physical CDs to your door when most companies have gone fully digital. If you're specifically looking for physical audiobook CDs with a rent-by-mail model, you'll appreciate the no-late-fees policy and free shipping both ways, but you'll pay significantly more than digital services for an outdated catalog where the newest titles are two years old. BookLender is only recommended for listeners who specifically need physical audiobook CDs - everyone else should look to digital alternatives for better value, selection, and convenience.
Fair
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AudiobookStore might catch your eye with its "no credits" FlexPass membership, but you'll likely end up paying the same (or more) for audiobooks compared to other services. While their catalog of 200,000+ titles is respectable, you'll be fighting an outdated app that frequently loses your place and struggles with basic features like offline listening. With customer service complaints, an "F" rating from the BBB, and questionable subscription practices, we cannot recommend AudiobookStore over the better alternatives in our review.
Subpar
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If you're looking for a true "Netflix of audiobooks" where you can freely explore a vast library for one low price, Everand is no longer that service. What was once an unlimited audiobook experience has transformed into just another credit-based platform that severely limits your listening options, forcing you to carefully ration your monthly 1-5 "Unlocks" while offering less value than competitors like Audible. With its disappointing rating, we can't recommend Everand to any type of listener - they've abandoned what made them special and left loyal customers feeling betrayed.
Weak
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Audible provides the largest audiobook selection around, but there's a moral cost to this convenience. While you'll appreciate the slick app features and massive catalog, you're supporting a company with questionable practices - from their "Audiblegate" royalty controversies to flooding their library with unlabeled AI narrations that threaten human narrators' livelihoods. Best for voracious listeners who prioritize selection over ethics, Audible isn't recommended for those who care about supporting authors, narrators, and the future of quality audiobooks.
Continued from above...
You're not alone if you've ever wished you could read more but can't find the time. Maybe you're commuting an hour each way to work, folding endless loads of laundry, or logging miles on the treadmill. Audiobook services solve a problem that's become all too common: wanting to consume great literature, learn new skills, or just escape into a good story, but lacking the chunks of uninterrupted time to sit down with a physical book.
Whether you're a multitasker by necessity or simply prefer listening to reading, audiobooks let you turn downtime into story time - and that's a win for anyone trying to squeeze more culture into their day. But not all audiobook services are created equal. Some operate on a subscription model, giving you a set number of credits each month to "purchase" titles you'll own forever. Others work more like Netflix, offering unlimited streaming from a catalog as long as you keep paying your monthly fee.
Then there are the pay-per-title services, which let you buy audiobooks outright without any recurring commitment. Finally, there are library-based audiobook services, where your free ticket to entry is your library card. The model you choose will depend on how many books you listen to, whether you like to revisit favorites, and how much you're willing to spend.
Subscription services tend to dominate the audiobook landscape. They're popular because they offer decent value if you're a regular listener, typically giving you one or two credits per month that you can exchange for any audiobook in their catalog, regardless of retail price. This model works well if you devour lengthy fantasy epics or non-fiction tomes that would otherwise cost $30 or more. On the flip side, unlimited streaming services appeal to binge-listeners who tear through multiple books a week and don't care about "owning" them permanently. If you're the type who rarely re-reads (or re-listens), this can be a more economical route - though you'll want to make sure the catalog is robust enough to keep you entertained.
Audiobook subscription services differ when it comes to ethical considerations, too. You'll want to think about how the service supports authors and narrators, and their impact on the publishing industry as a whole. Some platforms offer better royalty rates or direct support for independent creators, while others prioritize corporate publishers. Library-based services allow you to borrow audiobooks for free using your library card, which supports public library systems. If supporting authors and fair compensation matters to you, you'll want to research how each service shares revenue with the people who create the content you enjoy.
So what should you actually look for when shopping for an audiobook service? Here are the key considerations:
Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the audiobook services available today. We've looked at catalog depth, pricing models, app functionality, and overall user experience to help you find the service that fits your lifestyle. Whether you're a daily commuter looking to make the most of drive time or a fitness enthusiast who wants company on long runs, we hope this review helps you find the best audiobook service for you.
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So You Want to Hear About Audiobooks
If you're looking to decide if you should take the dive and get into audiobooks, you've come to the right place! We here at Top Consumer Reviews love audiobooks and have quite the extensive collection ourselves. There are plenty of reasons you may be unsure if audiobooks are right for you, but here are some ways to help you determine if this is the right step for you.
Audiobooks can often seem intimidating. It's not the same as reading, and can take a lot of time to listen to an entire book, so it's natural to be unsure if this will be the right fit for you. One way to tell if this is something to consider, is to look at your current listening time. Do you have a long commute to work? A long workout you never miss? Even long showers? If you have time now, that you spend listening to music or podcasts, then you should have time for an audiobook. It might seem like a big time commitment at first, since the book listening time can be several hours long, but just remember to listen in chunks and fit it in where you normally listen to things. Soon you'll be flying through books in no time!
Some people worry if the audiobook method will be boring. While some books may be dry, each one is different and it just depends on your tastes to see if the book is one you will like or not. Additionally, audiobooks are rather like podcasts, they can have a wide range of people for different characters that really add to the experience. Audiobooks can even be read by their own author, especially if that author is famous. You can feel closer to the likes of Nick Offerman or Amy Poehler as you hear them narrate their own books and life stories.
If that hasn't convinced you of how fun audiobooks can be, think of this: Audiobooks can be shared. You can literally have your own book club by sharing your favorite new book with whomever you want. Now you can have friends and family join in the fun as you all listen and share your favorite new book.
Another concern you might have may be about the cost. Some audiobook stores have a recurring membership. This can be good if you decide you like the audiobook world and want to continue on with a series, or listen to audiobooks often. However, you might not want to commit to a subscription right off the bat, and that's understandable. Some stores will let you buy one book at a time, if you just want to test the waters first and then that would be your best bet. A one time purchase may be the best for starting out, but chances are pretty soon you'll want that membership and all the benefits that come with it!
All in all, audiobooks are not going to be for everyone. Some people just never get into the feel of it. If you can take the first step of trying it out though, you might discover a whole new world of reading that you enjoy. We think it's well worth the risk, and you should take the plunge and start your newest adventure today!
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