Audible, one of the largest audiobook retailers globally, is gradually losing popularity among avid listeners.
While a monthly subscription offers convenient access to podcasts and audiobooks, these often aren’t available for lending or sale to bookstores and libraries.
Additionally, its connection to Amazon’s subscription model may not suit everyone.
As a result, many readers and listeners are seeking ethical, cost-effective alternatives to Audible. Let’s explore some of the best options today.
Read More: XNSPY Review: Features, Price, And Login Process
Best Alternatives to Audible for Avid Ethical Listeners
| Name | Features | Rating |
| Chirp | No waiting list | 4.8 |
| Libro.fm | Narrate personal audiobooks | 4.9 |
| Everand | Offers sheet music selections from every genre | 5 |
| Audiobooks.com | Select clubs and listen to unlimited audiobooks | 4.6 |
| Libby | Offers multiple library cards | Ever and |
Chirp
Chirp, an audiobook platform from BookBub, has no membership fee or waiting list. Users can access it without needing to sign up for a subscription.
Perfect for occasional audiobook listeners, Chirp offers a pay-per-book model with discounts of up to 95% on popular titles. Plus, you can take advantage of their money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the quality of any audiobook.
Libro.fm
Libro.fm is the only audiobook distributor that actively supports local independent bookstores. Like Audible, it requires a monthly subscription of $15.74. However, with each audiobook purchase, you can help a small bookstore of your choice.
During sign-up, you can select the independent bookstore you’d like to support, and Libro.fm shares its proceeds with that store. As an ethical alternative to Audible, it enables you to enjoy audiobooks while contributing to the local book community.
Everand
Everand (formerly Scribd) offers millions of audiobooks, e-books, magazines, and more. While its selection may not be the most extensive, it provides quick access to a solid collection of popular audiobooks to keep you engaged all day.
For just $11.99 per month, you get unlimited access to audiobooks and other content. Plus, with a 30-day free trial, Everand stands out as one of the best free alternatives to Audible.
Audiobook.com
Audiobooks.com stands out as one of the top Audible alternatives, offering over 350,000 books and novels. Along with its extensive library, the platform’s user-friendly interface and accessibility make it a great choice.
If you’re hesitant to commit, you can download and listen to three audiobooks during the trial period. Customers can choose from eight clubs and enjoy unlimited listening for 30 days. After the free trial, the subscription is $14.95 per month, with access to premium and VIP titles.
Libby
Libby is an excellent option for those on a tight budget, offering a wide selection of free audiobooks, e-books, and periodicals from your local library through the app.
By adding multiple library cards, you can access even more books. While there’s a limit on the number of audiobooks you can borrow at once, the free access makes it a great choice for budget-conscious listeners.
Kobo
Kobo is an ideal choice for those who enjoy a wide variety of novels and the flexibility to choose between formats. It offers two audiobook subscription options: a standard plan and Kobo Plus, priced at $9.99 per month, which provides one credit for any audiobook.
Kobo Plus offers tailored subscriptions for eBooks, audiobooks, or both, granting unlimited access to over 1.5 million eBooks and more than 150,000 audiobooks.
hoopla
Like Libby, hoopla is a free Audible alternative that grants access to audiobooks, e-books, magazines, and more, provided your library is an affiliate member. The app also offers comics, movies, and TV series.
Hoopla includes standard audiobook features such as bookmarking, a sleep timer, and audio speed adjustment. Similar to traditional libraries, you can only check out a limited number of items at once.
Spotify
Spotify, a newer player in the audiobook market, has quickly gained popularity with its diverse audiobook library catering to global preferences. The selection spans genres like mystery, romance, science fiction, non-fiction, and fiction, along with free user-uploaded audiobooks. Premium members enjoy 15 hours of audiobooks each month.
With over 150,000 well-known and lesser-known titles, Spotify is a top choice for those seeking great literary content. While not all audiobooks are free, it offers easy access to popular books that often have long waitlists on platforms like Libby.
Speechify
Speechify is an excellent tool for those who need audiobooks for accessibility reasons, such as blindness, ADHD, dyslexia, or low vision. As the highest-rated AI text-to-speech app with over 250,000 five-star reviews, it reads any text aloud, making it a versatile option.
The software can also read aloud open-source audiobooks you purchase or have in PDF or digital format. You can even choose the voice, with natural, smooth tones that help improve information retention, offering a superior listening experience compared to other AI readers.
Physical CDs
Don’t overlook the value of good old compact discs. With CDs, there’s no need to constantly shuffle or deal with ads between tracks. Hardcover audiobooks and a wide range of CDs are still available from many publishers. You just need to find the right library, bookstore, or thrift store. Compared to Audible, CDs offer an affordable alternative.
LibriVox
LibriVox is a nonprofit platform offering free audiobooks of works in the public domain. Once a book’s copyright expires, it becomes freely accessible, with new titles joining the public domain each year, inspiring creative uses.
Volunteers read and upload these audiobooks to the platform, making them available to listeners at no cost. While the quality may vary, LibriVox is a fantastic resource for exploring classic literature and supporting the effort to make books accessible to all.
Google Play Books
Google Play offers a vast collection of eBooks and audiobooks, including top criminal thrillers, science fiction, and memoirs. With over five million titles, it boasts the largest eBook collection in the world, accessible in 75 countries. Users can upload up to 2,000 eBooks in PDF or EPUB formats.
Accessible through the Google Play Books menu, it supports both web and mobile apps for iOS and Android. Some eBooks are compatible with Adobe Digital Editions or Google Home, allowing you to listen to audiobooks on speakers while multitasking.
Apple Books
Apple Books is another great alternative to Audible for enjoying audiobooks. Simply browse the bookstore within the app to find the perfect book to listen to or read. For iOS users, the app allows you to track your reading progress, set goals, and sync across all devices.
The Reading Now feature makes it easy to pick up where you left off or jump between books. You’ll also receive personalized recommendations based on your reading history, helping you discover new content that matches your interests.
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble offers access to over 300,000 audiobooks, 4 million eBooks, comic books, manga, and magazines in its extensive online collection. You can also download the free Barnes & Noble NOOK App on Android and Apple devices to enjoy your favorite eBooks.
The app provides hand-picked recommendations from booksellers and syncs across all your devices, ensuring you never lose your saved reads. It includes a 30-day free trial and a subscription fee of $14.99 per month.
OpenAudible
Say goodbye to the hassle of managing audiobooks across multiple devices with OpenAudible. This platform allows you to easily download, view, and manage all your Audible books in one place.
OpenAudible also offers quick conversion to M4B and MP3 formats, making it easy to enjoy your audiobooks on any device. Plus, updating your collection after new purchases is seamless, thanks to the platform’s automated tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best ethical alternatives to Audible?
Some top ethical alternatives include Libro.fm, which supports local independent bookstores, Chirp, which offers discounted audiobooks without a subscription, and LibriVox, a nonprofit platform offering free public domain audiobooks.
Are these alternatives cheaper than Audible?
Yes, many of these alternatives, such as LibriVox and Chirp, offer free or discounted audiobooks. Libro.fm charges a similar subscription fee to Audible, but a portion of the proceeds goes to independent bookstores, making it a more ethical choice for those who want to support local businesses.
Can I access audiobooks for free?
Yes, platforms like LibriVox and Libby offer free access to audiobooks. LibriVox provides public domain titles, while Libby offers audiobooks through your local library, often at no cost.
How can I support independent bookstores while listening to audiobooks?
Libro.fm is an excellent option for this. With each audiobook purchase, a portion of the proceeds goes to a local independent bookstore of your choice. You can select the bookstore you want to support during the sign-up process.
Do any of these alternatives offer a subscription model like Audible?
Yes, platforms like Libro.fm and Chirp offer subscription or pay-per-book models. Libro.fm has a monthly fee of $15.74, similar to Audible, while Chirp allows you to buy audiobooks without a subscription but offers significant discounts.
Are there alternatives for people with accessibility needs?
For those with accessibility needs, Speechify is an excellent option. It’s an AI-powered text-to-speech app that can read any text aloud, including audiobooks in PDF or digital formats, providing a personalized and smooth listening experience.
Can I use these alternatives on multiple devices?
Yes, most alternatives like Libro.fm, Libby, and Apple Books support multiple devices. They sync across platforms, so you can listen to your audiobooks on your phone, tablet, or computer without losing your progress.
How do I find a variety of genres on these platforms?
Many platforms, such as Spotify and Google Play Books, offer a wide range of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, mystery, romance, and more. Their vast libraries make it easy to discover new audiobooks across various categories.
Is it possible to listen to audiobooks offline with these alternatives?
Yes, most alternatives, including Apple Books, Barnes & Noble NOOK, and Kobo, allow you to download audiobooks for offline listening, providing flexibility without requiring a constant internet connection.
What are the main benefits of using ethical audiobook platforms?
Ethical platforms prioritize supporting local bookstores, offering free or low-cost access to audiobooks, and promoting sustainability. By using these alternatives, you can enjoy your audiobooks while contributing to positive causes and supporting independent businesses.
Conclusion
While Audible remains a popular choice for audiobooks, there are numerous ethical alternatives that cater to a range of preferences, budgets, and values. Platforms like Libro.fm, Chirp, and LibriVox not only provide great listening options but also support local bookstores, offer free content, and prioritize accessibility.
Whether you’re looking to save money, support independent businesses, or enjoy a more sustainable listening experience, these alternatives offer compelling reasons to make the switch. By exploring these options, you can enjoy your favorite audiobooks while making a positive impact on the community and the environment.
