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.
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Looking for a simpler audiobook experience? AudiobookStore claims to cut through the credit system complexity with their straightforward FlexPass membership at $11.95 monthly. Founded around 2016 (though details on its origins remain mysterious), this platform distinguishes itself with a "no credits" model that instead offers discounted pricing on all purchases. You'll find a catalog of over 200,000 audiobooks and 100 million podcast episodes available for instant listening - but as we'll discover, the platform's clunky app experience and questionable subscription practices are a mark against it.
AudiobookStore's FlexPass subscription: potentially misleading
AudiobookStore offers just one subscription option: the $11.95 monthly FlexPass membership that claims to give you access to "super low prices" on their catalog of 200,000+ audiobooks. Unlike other services, there's no credit system here - you pay your monthly fee and then purchase audiobooks at discounted prices. For example, a $25 audiobook might cost you $12 with FlexPass. But here's where it gets tricky: it appears you're paying that $12 on top of your monthly membership fee, meaning each book still costs you around $24 total ($11.95 membership + $12 discounted price). There's no free trial period mentioned, unused benefits probably don't roll over (since there are no credits), and the "discounts" essentially just offset what you're already paying for the membership. (At least, that's what we could glean from AudiobookStore's vague FAQ articles.)
A library that's sizable, but with some navigational quirks
While AudiobookStore doesn't offer exclusive titles, they do have a selection across more than 40 categories ranging from Fiction and Fantasy to niche topics like Crafts & Hobbies and Transportation. You'll also find curated collections like "Most Popular Audiobooks of the Year," "Books Made into Movies," and selections from popular book clubs including Oprah's and Reese Witherspoon's picks.
Helpful stats make browsing more informative
One interesting feature when browsing is the detailed stats provided for each audiobook: total chapters, chapter lengths, and estimated listening times at different playback speeds. This gives you practical information about what you're buying before you commit. AudiobookStore also claims to organize bestsellers by "actual listener popularity" rather than publisher or critic recommendations - though that resulted in "Mein Kampf: Uncensored Version" being the top result in the bestseller category during our visit. (Perhaps organization by professional, manual recommendation isn't necessarily a bad thing.)
You own what you buy
Your AudiobookStore purchases come with a nice promise: even if you cancel your FlexPass membership, you'll keep access to all your purchased audiobooks. They can be re-downloaded as needed through your account's "My Library" section from any device. You can listen on PC, Mac, iOS, and Android devices through their dedicated apps (more on these later). Though they don't offer traditional CDs anymore, they mention your audiobooks "can easily be converted to CD if you prefer that format" - suggesting they don't intervene with how you use your purchases. (Just how we like it.) The platform is compatible with Kindle Fire and Nook devices, but requires manual file transfers following the manufacturer's recommended methods for transferring MP3 files.
Apps available, but prepare for a bumpy ride
You can access your AudiobookStore purchases through apps on both iOS and Android, but don't expect a smooth journey. The user interface feels stuck in the early 2000s, with countless reviews describing it as "glitchy" and "terrible." While technically offering offline listening, some users report the feature simply doesn't work in airplane mode. The app also struggles with basic functionality like bookmarking - "you can almost never pause it and it never bookmarks. You have to constantly know where you're at," reports one reviewer. Android Auto integration is particularly problematic, with users reporting random cutouts and volume control issues. The library search functionality is rarely mentioned positively in reviews, with many users struggling just to find their purchased content. If you buy an audiobook here, you'd be better off downloading it to your computer and using its native audiobook player.
Customer service is hit or miss, with a dismal BBB rating
When you're not happy with your audiobook, you've got a 14-day window to request a refund, but don't expect your money back - AudiobookStore typically offers store credit instead. Customer service experiences are wildly inconsistent; some users praise representatives for being "prompt, polite and proficient," while others complain about never receiving calls back after multiple attempts. The company appears to offer phone support and email assistance, but response times vary. Most concerning? AudiobookStore carries an "F" rating with the Better Business Bureau, having failed to respond to 9 of the 13 complaints filed against them. Add in the numerous complaints about their subscription model - which many customers claim they were unknowingly enrolled in - and you're looking at a customer service experience that feels like a gamble at best.
AudiobookStore comes with serious caveats
You'll find a decent selection of audiobooks at AudiobookStore, but that's where the positives mostly end. The frustratingly outdated app fails at basic functions like remembering your place and working offline, making features most audiobook listeners take for granted look cutting-edge by comparison. While the $11.95 monthly FlexPass membership gets you discounts, the actual savings remain mysteriously undefined - so you can't determine if it's actually worth it. With an "F" rating from the BBB and inconsistent customer service that prefers issuing store credit over refunds, AudiobookStore simply isn't worth the hassle when better alternatives exist.
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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