Apps for Audiobooks

 

The best audiobook apps:

Audible v Audiobooks.com 


 

Look! A list to make your life easier! How original. The top two apps of course belong to audiobook giants Audible and Audiobooks.com. A few of these apps have a free trial period, during which time you will able to download audiobooks for free and, more importantly, download the best fantasy books for free. (Temporarily of course) Even though the Audiobooks app has some really cool features, it’s very similar to Audible. The Audible app wins out this round mostly because it has the largest selection of audiobooks available. Quantity has beaten out quality this time! Let’s be honest, it can be incredibly frustrating to finish the first book in a series, only to find out the rest aren’t in the library.

                                                                                             


1: Audible

Price:  

$14.95 (USD per month subscription).

Platform:

Available on Android and iOS

Links:

Audible Gold membership.

Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks through us!

Freebies:

  • 30 Day Trial and 1 Free Audiobook
  • 3 Months at 50% (If you go through the cancellation process)
  • Discounts on Kindle Pairings using Whispersync and the Kindle app.

What we like about Audible?

Available on Android and iOS Audible has the largest range of audio books available, with more than 180,000+ best sellers, new releases and more in its library, you’re sure to find some of the best fantasy audiobooks. The audiobook has great playback features, with chapter navigation, bookmarks, sleep mode, fast forward and rewind and multi tasking support for background playback and downloading. All that is required is once you have bought the app, that you make purchases online.

I also like that you can use this app in conjunction with the Kindle App (the kindle app is available on most devices). Using the kindle app, and the Whispersync utility, you can be quite thrifty. Check out how to do that here.

What we don’t like about Audible?

Audible is subscription based, which means it can add up if you’re not using it. Although the credit system ‘stacks’ which means if you don’t download a book in a given month you won’t lose that credit.

Another thing is that to get the Audiobooks you have to go to the Audible website to buy it then it will sync to your library – you cannot purchase or use a credit inside the app.


 2: Audiobooks by Audiobooks.com

Price:

$14.95 (USD per month subscription)

Platform:

Available on Android and iOS

Link:

Check it out here!

Freebies:

  • 30 Day Trial and 1 Free Audiobook

What we like about Audiobooks.com

With more than 60,000 audiobooks from every genre they can stream or download for offline listing. Although there are less books available for download, Audiobooks is an excellent app with all the playback features of Audible. The app includes variable playback speed, automatic bookmarking and sleep timer. Also available is cross device syncing, allowing you to listen to your audiobook from your smartphone, tablet or computer without losing your place 

What we don’t like about Audiobooks.com

The app requires you to stream the books, rather than on download them. This can lead to problems for people with-out solid connections, which for me is a lot of the time when i want to listen to them. I suppose, this also adds the small benefit of saving data.

Additionally, the selection is far less than Audibles, with only a third the amount – this is definitely the biggest drawback.


 3: Scribd

Price:

$8.99 (USD per month subscription)

Platform:

Available on Android and iOS

Link:

Get your free 14 day trial here!

Freebies:

Receive 2 weeks free reading upon joining

Scribd has a different approach to audiobooks by presenting them to users as part of its Netflix style service. For $8.99 monthly, Scribd subscribers can access 30,000 titles as well as the half a million ebooks they can already access. It’s a well made app, but with slightly less playback options that Audible or Audiobooks.


 4: Bookmower 

Price:

$3.99 (add unlimited audiobooks/podcasts)

Platform:

Available on iOS

Link:

Check it out here!

Freebies:

60 day free trial + Thousands of free Audiobooks

This is ideal for those looking to play DRM (Digital rights management) free audiobooks. Bookmobile supports DRM-locked content on Itunes and Audible as well as that ripped from CD’s or downloaded, including M4B and MP3 audiobooks. The app features a fabulous control scheme which stops you from easily losing your place. The app includes drive and sleep modes, as well as supporting background playback. Extra features include custom bookmarking, playback speed controls and airplay support. New audiobooks can easily be downloads from Librivox.org, itunes, websites etc.


5: Nook Audiobooks

Price:

Free Application – Pay per book.

Platform:  

Available on Android and iOS

Link:

Download the app on Android here!

Download the app on iOS here!

The new app released by Barnes and Noble is available on android. Nook  includes a store library of more than 50,000 titles across a variety of genres. Nook features an online store rather than a subscription model. Users can purchase books and then download and listen to them through the app. 


6: Downpour

Price:

Rent books for 30-60 days (At a reduced price from buying).

Platform:  

Available on Android and iOS

Link:

Get the Android App here.

Get the iOS App here.

The app is available on Android and iOS, also free. Downpour is an independent audiobook store with a fantastic library that you can rent for 30 or 60 days through the mobile app. The app allows users to access their entire library and download audiobooks via wi-fi or cellular network. Playback controls are standard, but it won’t let you run other applications while listening. This app is also a drain on the battery, even when it’s not playing.


7: Overdrive

Price:

Free! free audiobooks online! All you need is a library card

Platform:

Available on Android and iOS

Link:

Check it out here!

Freebies:

Audiobooks can be downloaded for free

Available on Android and iOS, free to download. Users are able to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from their library’s collection, with all the convenience of a digital app. You can borrow from the library 24/7 and can create holds, wish lists and easily return your audiobooks. You can cross-sync your titles, giving you the flexibility to listen to your audiobook on the device of your choice.


8: Librivox

Price:

Free Application – Pay per book.

Platform:

Available on Android and iOS

Link:

Check it out here!

Hooray, another free app you can download! Librivox is available on Android and iOs (surprise surprise) Librivox unfortunately has only 15,000 titles, but a more interesting array of books. Librivox offers access to classic bestsellers as well as out of print titles. Users can save and listen to any number of books that they want (which is a definite bonus) as well as set unlimited book marks as a sleep timer.


 

4 replies on “Apps for Audiobooks

  • Debra

    I just recently realized that audio books would be great for be to use as I work.

    I love it that you put together a list of apps that would work for these books, as it was my next stop – toGoogle how to get them on audio, (it used to be the library, LOL).

    I like that you included the 50% off if you go thbru the cancellation process. It’s amazing what you can get if they think they will looose your biusiness. That is why customer service is paramount.

    Anyways thankl you for the list with such great details about each app.

    Reply
  • Ian

    You’ve got some great resources here.

    I listen to audiobooks all the time on a variety of subjects and I find that Audible is the best by far when it comes to quality of the service.

    Also I can sync my audiobooks with any mobile device which is very convenient.

    Reply
  • Julie

    This is an excellent and very comprehensive list of the best apps for audiobooks, thank you! I have been looking for a good app to use to replace using Kindle on my train commutes and this list is perfect to get me started. Currently I’m leaning towards Audible, although my son is hooked on Nook so I’m considering switching to it too. What do you like best? Thank you!

    Reply
  • Louis

    Hi,

    Thanks so much for your sharing. I am actually in the process of reviewing some audio books products and I am glad to find your review page. I need to travel on bus and train for more than 2 hours every day and it is good to do something to make use of the time more wisely. Reading is a good option, but I just don’t like to read on transport and it’s not good to our eyes. Audio books are definitely a better option. I’ll take a look at your recommendations and find something suitable to me.

    Thanks

    Louis

    Reply

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