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The 5 best sound alternatives right now (paid and free)


Audible is awesome and is widely recognized as the best audiobook platform on the market. But Audible isn’t the only game in town, as you’ll see in our guide to the best Audible alternatives…


Audible is arguably the most well-known and popular audiobook platform on the market. Audible has been around, in one form or another, for over 20 years and since then has quickly become synonymous with audiobooks.

Owned by Amazon, Audible offers millions of titles, podcasts and audio productions. And for the most part, it’s great. The narration and recordings are generally top-notch and the user-generated review system helps you make quick decisions on where to spend your money. Sound credits.

But what about Audible alternatives? Is there? Are they good? Over the past 12 months I have used various Audible alternatives, alongside my existing Audible account – to see if Amazon’s audiobook platform actually has real competition.

As you’ll see below, Audible now has A LOT of competitors, and as you’ll see below, most of them are significantly cheaper than Audible and, in some cases, have even more content.

Read on to discover our five best alternatives to Audible right now…

Best sound alternatives

5. Scribd

Scribd is a digital library that provides unlimited access to books, audiobooks, magazines and more. With a monthly subscription of $9.99, Scribd provides access to over a million titles, including bestsellers, classics, and niche titles. A unique feature of Scribd is that it allows users to read and listen to an unlimited number of titles each month, making it a great option for avid readers.

Scribd BENEFITS:

  • Unlimited access to books, audiobooks, magazines and more: Scribd offers an impressive library of over a million titles across various genres, including bestsellers, classics, and niche titles, all available for unlimited access for just $9.99 per month.
  • Mobile and offline access: With the Scribd app, users can easily download books and audiobooks for offline reading and listening, making it easy to enjoy their favorite titles on the go.
  • Personalized recommendations: Scribd’s algorithm analyzes a user’s reading and listening history to provide personalized recommendations, making it easier for users to discover new titles that match their interests.
  • No ads: Unlike some other content subscription services, Scribd is completely ad-free, providing a seamless reading and listening experience to its users.
  • Affordable price: With its low monthly subscription fee and unlimited access to a vast library of titles, Scribd offers excellent value for money, making it an attractive option for avid readers and audiobook enthusiasts.

4. Libro.fm

Libro.fm is an audiobook service that partners with independent bookstores to provide a unique listening experience. With a monthly subscription of $14.99, users can choose from over 150,000 titles and support their local bookstore at the same time. Libro.fm also offers curated playlists and author interviews to enhance the listening experience.

Advantages of Libro.fm:

  • Supports independent bookstores: Libro.fm partners with independent bookstores across the United States, allowing users to purchase audiobooks while supporting their local bookstore. This unique feature helps users contribute to their local communities and keeps the tradition of the independent bookstore alive.
  • Wide selection of titles: Libro.fm offers over 150,000 audiobook titles, including bestsellers, new releases, and niche titles, giving users a huge selection of titles to choose from.
  • High quality sound: Libro.fm uses high-quality audio files, providing users with a superior listening experience. Users can choose from different audio formats, including high-definition audio, making it easier to listen to audiobooks without straining your ears.
  • Easy-to-use platform: The Libro.fm platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate, allowing users to easily browse and purchase titles. The platform also offers curated playlists and author interviews, enhancing the listening experience.
  • Competitive prices: Libro.fm offers competitive pricing, with monthly subscription fees starting at $14.99 per month, making it an affordable option for those looking for high-quality audiobooks. The platform also offers a loyalty program that offers discounts and exclusive content to frequent users.

3. Audiobooks.com

Audiobooks.com is a subscription audiobook service that offers over 200,000 titles. With a monthly subscription of $14.95, users can access bestsellers, new releases, and classic titles. A notable feature of Audiobooks.com is its VIP Rewards program, which offers discounts on future purchases and exclusive content to loyal users.

Benefits of Audiobooks.com

  • Wide selection of titles: Audiobooks.com offers more than 200,000 audiobook titles, including bestsellers, new releases and classic titles, giving users a wide selection of books.
  • VIP Rewards Program: Audiobooks.com offers a VIP Rewards program that rewards users with points for every purchase. These points can be redeemed for free audiobooks or discounts on future purchases.
  • High quality sound: Audiobooks.com uses high-quality audio files, providing users with a superior listening experience. Users can choose from different audio formats, including high-definition audio, making it easier to listen to audiobooks without straining your ears.
  • Easy-to-use platform: The Audiobooks.com platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate, allowing users to easily browse and purchase titles. The platform also offers personalized recommendations based on a user’s reading and listening history.
  • Family Sharing: With Audiobooks.com’s Family Sharing feature, users can share their account with up to five family members, allowing them to access the same titles across multiple devices, making it a great option for families who enjoy listening to audiobooks together.

2. Hoopla

Hoopla is a digital media service offered by local libraries. With a library card, users can access a vast collection of audiobooks, e-books, movies and more for free. Hoopla also offers a user-friendly platform and the ability to download tracks for offline listening.

Benefits of Hoopla

  • Free access: Hoopla is a free digital media service offered by local libraries, giving users access to a vast collection of audiobooks, e-books, movies and more at no extra cost.
  • Wide selection of titles: Hoopla offers an extensive library of titles in various genres, including bestsellers, new releases, and classics, making it a great option for users looking for a wide range of titles.
  • Offline access: With the Hoopla app, users can easily download titles for offline listening, making it easy to enjoy their favorite audiobooks without an internet connection.
  • User-friendly platform: The Hoopla platform is easy to navigate and user-friendly, allowing users to quickly find and access the titles they want.
  • No waiting lists: Unlike other digital media services, Hoopla has no waitlist, allowing users to access titles immediately without having to wait for a copy to become available.

1. Kobo Audiobooks

Kobo Audiobooks is a subscription audiobook service that offers more than 6 million titles. With a monthly subscription of $12.99, users can access bestsellers, new releases, and exclusive content. Kobo Audiobooks also offers a user-friendly platform and the ability to earn points toward free audiobooks.

Kobo audiobooks BENEFITS

  • Large selection of titles: Kobo Audiobooks offers more than 6 million audiobook titles, including bestsellers, new releases, and exclusive content, giving users a huge selection of titles to choose from.
  • User-friendly platform: The Kobo Audiobooks platform is easy to navigate and user-friendly, allowing users to quickly find and access the titles they want.
  • Points program: Kobo Audiobooks offers a points program that rewards users with points for every purchase, which can be redeemed for free audiobooks or discounts on future purchases.
  • High quality sound: Kobo Audiobooks uses high-quality audio files, providing users with a superior listening experience. Users can choose from different audio formats, including high-definition sound, making it easier to listen to audiobooks without straining your ears.
  • Affordable price: With its monthly subscription starting at $12.99, Kobo Audiobooks offers competitive pricing for its extensive library of audiobook titles, making it an affordable option for those looking for high-quality audiobooks.

What is the best option?

Based on our research and testing of the best audiobook services, Kobo Audiobooks emerges as the best alternative to Audible.

Here are some points highlighting the advantages of Kobo Audiobooks over Audible:

  • Large selection of titles: Kobo Audiobooks offers over 6 million audiobook titles, giving users a huge selection of titles to choose from, while Audible offers a smaller library of around 600,000 titles.
  • Affordable price: With its monthly subscription starting at $12.99, Kobo Audiobooks offers competitive pricing for its extensive library of audiobook titles, making it more affordable than Audible’s monthly subscription of $14.95.
  • High quality sound: Kobo Audiobooks uses high-quality audio files, giving users a superior listening experience comparable to Audible.
  • Points program: Kobo Audiobooks offers a points program that rewards users with points for every purchase, which can be redeemed for free audiobooks or discounts on future purchases. Audible does not offer a similar rewards program.
  • User-friendly platform: Kobo Audiobooks and Audible offer user-friendly platforms, but the Kobo Audiobooks platform is easier to navigate and provides a more intuitive browsing experience.

At the end of the line ? Kobo Audiobooks offers a larger selection of titles at a more affordable price (compared to Audible), so if you get what you pay for, Kobo is 100% where it’s at right now.

Richard Goodwin

Richard Goodwin has worked as a technology journalist for over 10 years. He is the publisher and owner of KnowYourMobile.






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