Digital audiobooks are the fastest-growing section of publishing, and final 12 months, audiobooks generated extra income for the highest publishers than e-books did. There are many locations to purchase audiobooks, whether or not you wish to purchase them individually, subscribe to a vast service, or borrow them from the general public library. There are extra selections than ever earlier than.
Three varieties of audiobook platforms provide distinctive experiences: Limitless audiobooks, subscription-based audiobooks, and standalone service.
Subscription audiobook companies are a dying breed. It is because many publishers don’t see precise worth in it and don’t commit all of their bestselling audiobooks by authors you understand and love. In case you have ever subscribed to Kindle Limitless or Kobo Plus, you’ll know just a few big-time books there, however you’ll be able to uncover new authors. Because of this each these firms provide a self-published platform, the place authors are inspired to supply their content material.
A subscription is a payment to get entry to an audiobook catalog, and it’s normally credit score primarily based. You pay a month-to-month subscription to get a credit score, which may be redeemed for any new (front-list) or previous (back-list) audiobook on their platform. Audible and Everand are good examples of this. Publishers love this mannequin and absolutely commit their complete catalog to this, since a credit score is well worth the full worth of the audiobook, which the publishers receives a commission for.
A standalone service is what the overwhelming majority of audiobook websites use to promote audiobooks individually. Since, by far, that is probably the most profitable, that is the most effective enterprise mannequin to make cash, and publishers absolutely assist it. On the draw back, there are too many worldwide and discovering the most effective one on your wants may be daunting.
Subscription Audiobook Providers
Audible
Audible is an audiobook service from Amazon that gives the world’s largest choice of titles, from much-loved classics to new releases and unique podcasts. With a membership, listeners can obtain or stream their chosen titles. Books could also be learn aloud by a narrator, the authors, well-known stars, and even an audio forged. Audible creates cutting-edge experiences for its listeners, resembling spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, and it helps drive equitable entry, resembling integrating Alexa voice controls into the Audible app.
Audible Plus is the most cost effective plan for Amazon, beginning $7.95/$7.95/month. In the meantime, Premium Plus is one other plan for Amazon’s Audible, beginning at $14.95/month (and $22.95/month for 2 credit). Though the value is double that of Audible Plus, you should have entry to double the content material and audiobooks. The catalog contains discounted charges for the remaining 450,000 audiobooks.
Amazon Kindle Limitless
Kindle Limitless is a month-to-month subscription that provides members entry to greater than 4 million digital books and hundreds of audiobooks, comics, and magazines. When you activate your subscription, you’ll be able to obtain titles from the Kindle Limitless catalog instantly. Kindle Limitless works with all Kindle units, in addition to in your cellphone, laptop, or pill by the free Kindle app. Audio narration is obtainable for hundreds of Kindle Limitless titles. Search for the headphones icon subsequent to the Kindle Limitless emblem on every e book. Browse Kindle Limitless audiobooks.
There are at present 5,000 audiobooks on Kindle Limitless.
Libro.fm
With an expansive library of greater than 400,000 audiobooks, Libro.fm provides classics, new releases, and every part. A month-to-month subscription will get you one audiobook credit score each month and a 30 % low cost on every part within the retailer, and you retain any purchases even after your subscription ends. There are two causes to go for Libro.fm as your audiobook service; firstly, the service helps native booksellers (you’ll be able to decide a retailer) and splits the revenue out of your purchases. The second enticement is the professional curation from booksellers, so that you get tailor-made suggestions identical to you’d in-store. There are Android and iPhone apps, and the audiobooks you purchase are DRM-free, which suggests you’ll be able to hearken to them on any gadget and don’t have to make use of the Libro.fm app.
Kobo Plus
With Kobo Plus, you’ll be able to learn and hearken to as many eBooks and audiobooks as you need every month for a set worth. You possibly can learn Kobo Plus eBooks on Kobo eReaders and the Kobo Books app. Hearken to audiobooks utilizing choose Kobo eReaders and the Kobo Books app. The app and repair should not obtainable in all places, and solely in a restricted variety of international locations. There isn’t a restrict on what number of audiobooks you’ll be able to hearken to at any given time, so long as you subscribe.
They provide a three-tier subscription plan. Kobo Plus Learn: Providing entry to over 1.3 million eBooks, readers can use any Kobo eReader or the free Kobo app for simply USD 7.99 month-to-month. Kobo Plus Hear: Providing entry to over 100,000 audiobooks, listeners can hear on choose Kobo eReaders and the free Kobo app for simply USD 7.99 month-to-month. Kobo Plus Learn & Hear: Providing entry to 1.3 million eBooks and over 100,00 audiobooks, readers can use any eReader for studying, hear with choose eReaders and skim or hear on the free Kobo app for simply USD 9.99 per thirty days.
Nook Audiobooks
Barnes and Noble launched an audiobook service in 2022. Seemingly, probably the most compelling facet is their new audiobook subscription service. You possibly can pay $14.99 per thirty days and get an audiobook credit score. This credit score may be redeemed for one in every of their 300,000 audiobooks from main publishers. The audiobooks may be listened to on the Nook app for Android, iOS, or the online participant. They provide a free 30-day trial, which supplies you one free audiobook.
I believe Barnes and Noble’s severe funding in audiobooks could be very optimistic. There should not very many choices for US prospects. Amazon Prime Studying, Kindle Limitless, Audible, Scribd, and Kobo have their subscription techniques, however most individuals solely know Audible. Barnes and Noble can leverage its web site and bookstores to get extra prospects to subscribe, whereas its competitors is totally on-line.
Scribd/Everand
Scribd has introduced that it’s pivoting away from the limitless subscription mannequin and shifting to a credit-based system for his or her Everand studying platform in america. Worldwide growth is slated for early 2025. This modification will present customers with entry to bestselling titles discovered on the New York Occasions bestseller listing, and the Huge 5 Publishers will concurrently launch new content material on Everand, as they do on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Rakuten Kobo.
There’ll solely be two tiers sooner or later from Everand: a Customary plan, priced at $11.99 month-to-month, for one premium title, and a Plus plan, priced at $16.99 month-to-month, for 3 titles. Each plans preserve limitless entry to magazines, podcasts, sheet music, and a small catalogue of e-books and audiobooks, together with Everand Originals. The bestseller titles from distinguished authors will solely have the ability to be learn for those who subscribe to one of many new plans. Unlocked titles are yours to learn or hearken to as many occasions as you’d like in the course of your subscription.
Standalone Providers
Libby
Many public libraries assist OverDrive’s Libby app, enabling you to make use of your library card to take a look at ebooks or audiobooks. Borrowing is on the rise, because of Libby’s huge choice, easy-to-use service, and, in fact, the truth that it doesn’t price a penny. We’ve a information on methods to get free ebooks together with your library card that will help you get began. Some libraries additionally provide magazines and comedian books, although the formatting isn’t all the time nice. The Libby app is kind of primary, however it has a strong characteristic set that you would be able to configure to fit your wants.
Sadly, the titles you need should not all the time obtainable. The selection is determined by what your library provides and the way fashionable issues are with different readers. You additionally borrow titles for a restricted interval, identical to an everyday library e book, and different individuals can request titles, which suggests you’ll be able to’t all the time renew them.
In order for you entry to a library of books with out spending a dime or signing up for a subscription service, LibriVox might be the most effective audiobook website. In contrast to the opposite audiobook companies on this listing, LibriVox allows you to obtain and hearken to audiobooks at no cost – no catch. The content material is narrated not by professionals however aspiring narrators who wish to lower their enamel and get expertise. Most of their catalog is completely populated by royalty-free, basic titles.
Google Audiobooks
Google Audiobooks will not be as established as Audible, however it’s a worthy competitor. The important thing distinction between Google Audiobooks and Audible is that the previous isn’t a subscription service. As an alternative, Google sells audiobooks individually, so that you don’t have to pay a month-to-month payment to entry its reasonably priced costs. You’d anticipate, you’ll be able to hearken to audiobooks from Google on any Google OS gadget, resembling Android and Chromecast merchandise, however there’s additionally a Google Audiobook app for Apple merchandise.
Honorable Mentions
The primary listing contains the most effective worth from well-known firms. The remaining should not family names by any means. Nevertheless, they do have loyal customers who swear by their companies.
Audiobooks.com – An enormous library and low-cost subscription mannequin, making it a viable different to Audible; plus, the brand new e book membership offers you limitless listening to older titles—375,000 audiobooks at aggressive costs. The month-to-month membership prices $14.95, which will get you one credit score for a e book you personal and entry to an extra VIP e book from a variety they’ve curated.
Downpour—Downpour is slightly cheaper at $12.99 a month and has the cool characteristic that many audiobooks may be rented as an alternative of bought. You’ve got 30-60 days to hear (and you may prolong for a greenback or two if wanted), so it’s excellent for books you wish to hearken to however don’t have to personal.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the previous fifteen years. Newspapers and web sites such because the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Submit and the New York Occasions have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
