The best audiobook apps that rival Audible

Audible has long been the go-to name in audiobooks. 

But a growing number of listeners are starting to question Audible’s credit system and premium pricing… and being locked into the Amazon ecosystem doesn’t help either.

So, what are the alternatives? And more importantly, are these alternatives actually comparable to Audible in terms of catalogue size, audio quality, and overall listening experience?

Let’s find out. 

In this guide, we’re breaking down the best audiobook apps that rival Audible, so you can find an app that fits your listening habits, values, and budget without feeling suffocated by a platform you’re just not happy with. 

But first (in case you’re out of the loop)... 

Why are people looking for an alternative to Audible?

While Audible has a massive library, its business model has several significant drawbacks that push users away. Based on dozens of user reviews and forum discussions, the frustration boils down to a few key issues.

Consuming (and expensive) credit system

First and foremost is the confusing and expensive credit system. 

At $14.95 per month for a single credit, many users feel the service is overpriced, especially when a single credit might not even cover a new release. This frustration is reflected in Audible’s abysmal 1.5-star rating on Trustpilot, where countless reviews complain about unexpected charges, difficulty cancelling, and a feeling of being ripped off. 

No ownership

Second, users are tired of not truly owning their audiobooks. 

When you buy a book on Audible, you are essentially licensing it. The files are protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM), meaning you can only listen to them through the Audible app. If you ever decide to leave the service, you risk losing access to a library you have spent hundreds or even thousands of dollars building. This lack of ownership is a major sticking point for savvy consumers who believe that when you buy something, it should be yours to keep and use as you please.

Shift toward ethical listening

Finally, there’s a growing desire to support a more ethical and open audiobook ecosystem. Many users are uncomfortable with Amazon’s dominance in the book market and are actively seeking out platforms that support independent bookstores and offer a fairer deal to authors. This sentiment is a powerful driver for services like Libro.fm, which has built its entire brand around being the anti-Audible.

The non-negotiables in an Audible alternative

Now, Audible is popular for a reason. It’s polished, easy to use, and backed by a massive catalogue. So if you’re going to switch (or even seriously consider an alternative), it can’t feel like a downgrade.

Here’s what (in our opinion) matters the most when it comes to finding an Audible alternative. 

Ownership, access, and knowing what you’re paying for

This is the most fundamental question: Do you want to own your audiobooks outright, or are you happy to pay for access to a library? 

Services like Libro.fm and Chirp sell you the file, which is yours forever, while services like Everand and Libby operate on a rental or loan model. Neither approach is wrong, but it’s important to know which one suits your listening habits before you sign up.

A catalogue that matches your taste

A library of 500,000 audiobooks sounds impressive, but it’s only useful if it has the books you actually want to listen to. Before committing to any service, search for a handful of your favourite titles and recent releases to see how well the catalogue holds up. Some services are excellent for popular fiction but thin on non-fiction or specialist titles.

Voice quality you can actually listen to

This matters more than people realize. A great book with a poor narrator can be a miserable experience, and a mediocre book with a brilliant narrator can be a joy. Traditional audiobook platforms use professional human narrators, while AI-powered tools like ElevenReader use advanced neural text-to-speech technology. 

Platform flexibility that fits your life

Can you listen on all your devices? Can you download books for offline listening? Can you use the app on your preferred platform, whether that is iOS, Android, or a desktop browser? 

These practical considerations can make or break a daily audiobook listening habit.

Real value (not just a lower price)

The cheapest option is not always the best value. A free service with a limited catalogue may cost you more in frustration than a paid service with everything you want. Think about how many books you listen to per month and calculate the true cost per book for each service before making your decision.

The 5 best alternatives to Audible

Now that we’ve got to the root of the problems and priorities, let’s look at the different solutions out there. We’ve spent some time researching the top contenders to bring you this definitive list of the best audiobook apps that rival Audible. 

Let’s get to it, starting with… 

#1. ElevenReader: best for listening to anything

Let’s kick things off with the wild card on the list. 

ElevenReader is not a traditional audiobook app, but it is a powerful text-to-speech (TTS) tool that uses advanced AI to turn any written content (including news articles, academic papers, PDFs, and entire ebooks) into natural, human-sounding audio. 

For anyone who has ever wished they could listen to a rare indie book they’ve got on a PDF on their commute, ElevenReader is the solution they didn’t realize they were missing. 

Here are just a few of ElevenReader’s highlights: 

• Key features: Turns any text into a natural-sounding audiobook using AI.
• Strengths: Listen to articles, PDFs, and ebooks not available as audiobooks; incredibly generous free plan.
• Weaknesses: Not a source for traditionally produced audiobooks.
• Pricing: Free plan with 10 hours of listening per month; paid plans start at $8.25/month.
• Best for: Professionals, students, and anyone who wants to listen to any type of written material. 

While ElevenReader cannot give you the professionally narrated version of a Stephen King novel, it can give you an audiobook-quality version if you have it on PDF, plus any other article, report, ebook, study guide, or long-form document sitting unread on your device. 

That flexibility is what makes ElevenReader a solid alternative to Audible. It expands what’s possible, turning the entire internet (and your own files) into something you can listen to anytime from anywhere. 

#2. Libro.fm: best for supporting local bookstores

Libro.fm is another frontrunner for anyone who wants to break free from the Amazon ecosystem. Its core mission is to support independent bookstores, and a portion of every purchase you make goes directly to a local shop of your choice. 

The single biggest advantage of Libro.fm is that all of its audiobooks are DRM-free. This means you can download your files and listen to them on any device or app you want, forever. 

Here are the highlights: 

• Key features: DRM-free audiobooks, profits support independent bookstores, and an excellent app.
• Strengths: You truly own your books, ethical business model, and a great curation of books.
• Weaknesses: Catalogue is slightly smaller than Audible’s for some niche genres.
• Pricing: $14.99/month for one audiobook credit.
• Best for: Ethically-minded consumers who want to own their audiobooks forever.

The platform costs $14.99 per month for one credit, the same as Audible, but the knowledge that your money is supporting a small business instead of a tech giant is a powerful motivator for a lot of people. 

#3. Everand (from Scribd): best for binge-listeners

Everand, formerly known as Scribd, operates on a completely different model. Instead of a credit system, it offers an “all-you-can-eat” subscription for $11.99 per month. For this flat fee, you get unlimited access to a massive library of audiobooks, ebooks, magazines, and more. For heavy listeners, this represents incredible value and a welcome escape from the anxiety of rationing Audible credits.

Here are a few other highlights worth mentioning:

• Key features: Unlimited listening model, includes ebooks and magazines.
• Strengths: Massive catalogue, great value for heavy listeners, includes more than just audiobooks.
• Weaknesses: You don’t own the books; titles can be removed from the catalogue.
• Pricing: $11.99/month for unlimited access.
• Best for: Heavy readers and listeners who consume multiple books per month.

With Everand, the major trade-off is that you’re borrowing the books, not buying them. So if a title is removed from the Everand catalogue, or if you cancel your subscription, you lose access. However, for users who are more concerned with consumption than ownership, this is a small price to pay for a virtually endless library.

#4. Chirp: best for deal-hunters

Chirp is for the bargain hunters. Unlike many of the other apps on the list, Chirp is not a subscription service. Instead, it offers a daily selection of heavily discounted audiobooks. 

For example, you can often find popular titles for as little as $1.99 to $4.99, and once you buy them, they’re yours to keep forever. The app is simple and functional, and the focus is purely on delivering incredible value.

Here are the highlights: 

• Key features: No subscription, daily deals on audiobooks.
• Strengths: Extremely cheap, you own the books you buy.
• Weaknesses: Limited selection, not ideal for finding specific new releases.
• Pricing: Pay per book, with deals often as low as $1.99.
• Best for: Budget-conscious listeners who love finding hidden gems.

The major downside with Chirp is that the selection is limited to whatever is on sale that day, and you can’t rely on Chirp to have the specific new bestseller you are looking for. But for listeners who are happy to browse and stumble upon new authors based on what is on offer, it’s an unbeatable way to build a library a few dollars at a time. 

#5. Libby: best for library card holders

No list of Audible alternatives would be complete without Libby. Powered by OverDrive, Libby connects to your local library’s digital collection, giving you free access to thousands of audiobooks and ebooks. All you need is a library card. 

Here are the highlights: 

• Key features: Completely free with a library card, massive selection of new releases.
• Strengths: Free, supports local libraries, has all the bestsellers.
• Weaknesses: Wait times for popular books can be long.
• Pricing: Free.
• Best for: Anyone with a library card who doesn’t mind waiting for popular titles.

The only catch with Libby is the wait times. Just like a physical library, there is a limited number of digital copies of each book, so for popular new releases, you’ll often have to place a hold and wait your turn. But if you’re patient, Libby is one of the best ways to listen to the latest bestsellers without paying a penny.

The best audiobook apps compared

You’ve seen what each platform can do individually. But sometimes the easiest way to decide is to see everything side by side.

Below is a quick comparison of the top audiobook apps that rival Audible, including pricing models, ownership structure, and who each service is best suited for. 

Quick Comparison of the Best Audiobook Apps

Say goodbye to expensive credits and hello to smarter, more flexible listening

It’s clear that there is a vibrant ecosystem of audiobook apps that rival Audible, each with its own unique strengths. 

So if you’re looking to escape the Amazon ecosystem, your best choice depends on your priorities: 

• If you value ownership and want to support independent businesses, Libro.fm is a great shout. 
• If you’re a heavy listener and you want unlimited content for a fixed monthly price, Everand is the answer. 
• And if you’re budget-conscious, nothing beats the free access provided by Libby and the incredible deals on Chirp.

However, for a truly modern and flexible listening experience, ElevenReader offers something unique. 

It challenges the very definition of an audiobook app by empowering you to listen to any text you want, including ebooks, articles, PDFs, and more. That means no more waiting for a publisher to release an audio version (or waiting for your favorite book to become available on Libby). If you have the text, you can listen to it. It’s that simple. 

Frequently asked questions about the best audiobook apps

What is the cheapest alternative to Audible?

The cheapest alternative to Audible is Libby, which is completely free with a local library card. If you do not have a library card, Chirp is a great option for buying heavily discounted audiobooks without a subscription, and ElevenReader offers a very generous free plan for listening to any piece of text.

Can I listen to Audible books without a subscription?

Yes, you can purchase audiobooks from Audible a la carte without a subscription, but they are often more expensive than using a credit. Once you purchase a book, it is yours to listen to in the Audible app, even if you do not have an active membership.

What is the best app for unlimited audiobooks?

Everand (formerly Scribd) is the best app for unlimited audiobooks, offering a massive library of audiobooks, ebooks, and more for a flat monthly fee of $11.99. It operates on a rental model, so you do not own the books, but it provides incredible value for heavy listeners.