Have you become an audiobook lover? Audiobooks are gaining popularity among people of all ages for various reasons. To enjoy audiobooks on your devices, you’ll need an audiobook app or platform.

1. Audible – Audible is one of the largest audiobook services, with a vast selection of titles and exclusive content. It also features a user-friendly interface and allows you to switch between listening and reading seamlessly.
2. Libby – Libby is a free app that allows you to borrow audiobooks and e-books from your local library. It has a clean and easy-to-use interface, and you can download books for offline listening.
3. Scribd– Scribd is a monthly subscription service that offers access to audiobooks, e-books, magazines, and documents. It features a personalized recommendation feature and allows you to switch between reading and listening without losing your place.
4. Google Play Books – Google Play Books allows you to purchase and listen to audiobooks on your Android or iOS device. It also features a wide selection of e-books and allows you to sync your reading progress across devices.
5. Apple Books – Apple Books is the default e-book and audiobook app on iOS devices. It allows you to purchase and listen to audiobooks directly from the app and across all your Apple devices.

What Are Audiobooks

Audiobooks are audio recordings of books, typically in digital format, that allow you to listen to the book being read aloud instead of reading it yourself. Audiobooks can be played on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, and can be downloaded or streamed over the internet.

Audiobooks can be purchased individually or accessed through a subscription service, and many public libraries also offer audiobooks that can be borrowed for free. They are available in a wide range of genres and can be narrated by the author or a professional voice actor.

Why Substitute Real Books for Audiobooks

I know, I will be the first one to shout out that nothing can replace a real book. The act of turning pages and the distinct scent of paper, which often intensifies with the age of the book, are particular aspects of the positive sensory experience associated with physical books. But sometimes an audiobook makes more sense than a real book.

While audiobooks may not be a perfect substitute for traditional books, they offer many benefits and can be an excellent way to enjoy literature in a different format.

Multitasking Convenience

Audiobooks are easy to listen to while doing other activities, such as commuting, exercising, or doing household chores. This allows you to enjoy books without having to set aside specific time for reading.

Accessibility

Audiobooks are an excellent option for people who may have difficulty reading due to visual impairments or learning disabilities.

Improved Comprehension

Listening to an audiobook may help improve comprehension, as it allows you to focus solely on the content without distractions.

Entertainment Value

Some audiobooks are narrated by professional voice actors, providing an engaging and immersive listening experience that can enhance your enjoyment of the book.

History and Future of Audiobooks

Audiobooks have a long and interesting history that dates back to the early 20th century. The first audiobooks were created on vinyl records and were primarily used for educational purposes, such as language learning and training for the visually impaired.

The advent of cassette tapes in the 1960s made audiobooks more accessible, and they began to gain popularity as a form of entertainment. In the 1980s and 1990s, audiobooks became more widely available on CDs and began to be sold in bookstores, making them more mainstream.

With the rise of digital technology, audiobooks have become even more accessible and popular. The first digital audiobook was released in 1997, and since then, the market for audiobooks has continued to grow.

The rise of smartphones and other mobile devices has made it easier than ever to listen to audiobooks on the go, and the emergence of subscription services like Audible and Scribd has made it more affordable to access a wide variety of titles.

As for the future of audiobooks, it seems likely that they will continue to grow in popularity. With the increasing demand for on-demand and mobile-friendly content, audiobooks are a convenient and flexible way to enjoy literature.

What Makes a Good Audiobook App

Wide Selection of Titles

One of the primary factors that can make an audiobook app popular is the size and variety of its library. You are more likely to choose an app that offers a broad range of titles across different genres, including bestsellers, classics, and niche interests.

User-Friendly Interface

A well-designed and user-friendly interface can make an app more appealing. This includes features such as customizable playback speed, bookmarks, and a sleep timer.

Affordable Pricing

Cost is also an important factor when choosing an audiobook app. An app that offers affordable pricing or subscription plans may be more popular.

Compatibility with Multiple Devices

Choose apps that are compatible with multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and e-readers.

Exclusive Content, Deals, and Freebies

This can be a significant factor in the popularity of an app, as you are more likely to use an app that offers unique and exclusive content, has interesting deals, and also offers free selections.

Good Customer Support

Read the reviews of users about their experiences with customer support. Trust and use an app that offers reliable and responsive customer support.

Best Audiobook Apps

Audible

Audible is a popular audiobook service owned by Amazon. It has a huge selection of audiobooks, podcasts, and other audio content, and is one of the largest audiobook providers. The app features a user-friendly interface and allows you to switch between listening and reading seamlessly, with its “Whispersync for Voice” technology.

In addition to a vast selection of titles, Audible also offers exclusive content, including original audiobooks and podcasts that are only available on the platform. You can also browse and purchase audiobooks directly from the Audible website or app, and once you purchase a title, you can download it and listen to it offline.

Audible offers various membership plans, including a monthly subscription that gives you one credit per month that can be used to purchase any title on the platform, regardless of its price. You can also purchase additional credits or individual titles without a subscription. Audible also offers a 30-day free trial that includes one free credit, which can be used to purchase any audiobook on the platform.

The basic Audible membership plan costs $7.95 per month, which includes one credit, but it also offers higher-tier membership plans with additional credits per month and discounts on audiobook purchases. You can also purchase audiobooks from Audible’s library without a membership, with prices varying depending on the title, ranging from $7 to $40 or more. Some shorter titles or older books may be priced lower, while newer releases or longer books may be priced higher.

Pros:

• Huge selection of titles across a range of genres, including bestsellers, classics, and niche interests.
• High-quality audio production.
• User-friendly interface.
• Compatibility with multiple devices
• Exclusive content.
• 30-day free trial.

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other audiobook platforms.
• Library access can vary depending on your location and subscription plan.
• Some users have reported issues with customer support, including difficulty canceling subscriptions or receiving refunds.

Libby

Libby is a popular audiobook and e-book app that allows you to borrow digital content from your local library. Developed by OverDrive, Libby is available for free on iOS, Android, and Windows devices.

To use Libby, you need a valid library card from a participating library. Once you have your library card, you can use the app to browse your library’s collection of e-books and audiobooks, borrow titles, and read or listen to them on your device.

Libby offers a user-friendly interface and a range of features that make it easy to find and access the content you’re interested in. You can search for titles by keyword, author, or title, and filter your results by format, availability, and more. Libby also offers personalized recommendations based on your reading history and preferences.

One of the most significant benefits of using Libby is that it allows you to access a vast selection of free digital content from your local library. You can borrow e-books and audiobooks for a set period, usually 2-3 weeks, and can renew them if there are no holds on the title. This makes Libby a great option for those who want to save money on books or have limited space for physical books.

Pros:

• Free borrowing.
• Large selection of titles across different genres, including bestsellers and classics.
• User-friendly interface.
• Compatibility with multiple devices.
• No late fees. Libby’s digital content automatically returns itself, so you never have to worry about late fees.

Cons:

• Availability of titles may be limited based on your local library’s offerings.
• Waiting lists.
• Temporary borrowing.
• Does not offer the option to purchase titles outright.

Scribd

Scribd is a subscription-based digital library that offers access to a vast collection of e-books, audiobooks, magazines, and other digital content. With a Scribd membership, you can read or listen to an unlimited number of books and other materials for a monthly fee.

Scribd offers a range of features that make it a popular choice among avid readers and audiobook listeners. The service offers a personalized recommendation feature that suggests content based on your reading history and preferences. You can also browse popular titles, new releases, and curated collections.

The platform offers a vast selection of titles across a range of genres, including bestsellers, classics, and indie titles. You can listen to audiobooks on your smartphone or tablet, and the app includes features like playback speed control, text sizing, and a sleep timer.

Scribd also offers a range of other digital content, including e-books, magazines, and newspapers. With the service’s mobile app, you can download titles for offline reading or listening, making it a convenient option if you want to access content while on the go.

The standard membership costs $9.99 per month and provides unlimited access to Scribd’s library of e-books, audiobooks, and other digital content and the premium membership plan costs $13.99 per month and includes all the benefits of the standard membership, as well as access to Scribd’s selection of magazines and documents.

Scribd offers a free trial for new users. The free trial period typically lasts for 30 days and allows you to access the full Scribd library, including audiobooks, e-books, magazines, and more.

Pros:

• Large selection of audiobooks, e-books, and magazines across different genres.
• Unlimited access.
• Compatibility with multiple devices.
• User-friendly interface.
• Offline access.
• 30-day free trial.

Cons:

• Limited availability. Some popular titles may not be available on Scribd due to licensing agreements.
• Content rotation: Scribd rotates some titles in and out of its library, meaning certain titles may not be available permanently.
• High cost.

Google Play Books

Google Play Books is another popular digital reading platform developed by Google that allows users to read e-books and listen to audiobooks on their mobile devices. The platform is available on both iOS and Android devices, as well as on the web.

Google Play Books offers millions of titles across a range of genres, including bestsellers, classics, and indie titles. You can purchase individual titles or subscribe to the service’s audiobook subscription for access to a rotating selection of audiobooks.

The app includes a customizable reading interface with features like font size and color control, night mode, and annotation tools. The audiobook player includes features like playback speed control and a sleep timer.

Google Play Books also offers integration with other Google services, such as Google Drive and Google Assistant. For example, you can use Google Assistant to control your audiobook playback or add e-books to your reading list.

Audiobook prices on Google Play Books vary depending on the title and publisher. On average, prices for audiobooks range from $7 to $40 or more. It also offers discounts and promotions on certain titles. Also, some audiobooks may be available for rent at a lower cost than purchasing them outright.

Google Play Books does not offer a specific trial period for new users. However, they offer a “Family Library” feature, which allows up to six family members to share purchased books, audiobooks, and other media.

Pros:

• Large selection of titles.
• Compatibility with multiple devices.
• User-friendly interface.
• Offline access.
• Sync across devices.
• Up to 6 users.

Cons:

• Limited availability of titles that may not be available due to licensing agreements.
• Pricing: Some titles on Google Play Books may be more expensive than other platforms or physical copies of the same book.
• Limited customization options and features compared to other audiobook apps.
• No trial period.

Apple Books

Apple Books is a digital reading platform developed by Apple that allows users to read e-books and listen to audiobooks on their iOS devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

One of the most significant benefits of Apple Books is its integration with the Apple ecosystem. The platform is seamlessly integrated with iOS, allowing users to access their books and audiobooks from any of their Apple devices. The platform also includes features like iCloud syncing, which ensures that your reading progress is saved across all your devices.

The app includes a customizable reading interface with features like font size and color control, night mode, and annotation tools. The audiobook player includes features like playback speed control and a sleep timer.

Apple Books also offers a range of other digital content, including PDFs, magazines, and newspapers. The platform includes a bookstore that allows users to purchase titles directly from the app.

The prices of e-books on Apple Books can range from free to several hundred dollars, with most titles falling in the range of $1 to $30.

Apple Books has a great free trial period that typically lasts for 3 months and gives you access to the entire Apple Books library, including audiobooks, e-books, and other media.

Pros:

• Large selection of titles.
• Compatibility with Apple devices.
• User-friendly interface.
• Offline access.
• Customization options.
• 3-month free trial period.

Cons:

• Limited availability of titles that may not be available due to licensing agreements.
• Pricing: Some titles may be more expensive than other platforms or physical copies of the same book.
• Limited compatibility with non-Apple devices.

The best audiobook app for you will depend on your preferences and needs. Consider the selection, features, and pricing of each app before making a decision. Take advantage of the free trial periods so that you can try out the platforms and check the selections, and then choose the best one that suits your needs and lifestyle.

Important: Don’t forget to cancel your subscriptions before the trial periods end if you don’t plan to use the apps, otherwise, you will be charged.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you enjoy audiobooks? What app do you use to listen to your audiobooks? Tell us about it in the comments below.