Digital audiobooks are the fastest-growing phase of publishing, and final yr, 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 limiteless service, or borrow them from the general public library. There are extra decisions 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 and love. You probably have ever subscribed to Kindle Limitless or Kobo Plus, you’ll know just a few big-time books there, however you possibly can uncover new authors. That is why each these firms provide a self-published platform, the place authors are inspired to supply their content material.
A subscription is a charge 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 You pay a month-to-month subscription to get a credit score, which may be redeemed for any new (front-list) or outdated (back-list) audiobook on their platform.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 very best enterprise mannequin to earn money, and publishers absolutely help it. On the draw back, there are too many worldwide and discovering the very best one to your wants may be daunting.
Subscription Audiobook Companies
Audible
Audible is an audiobook service from Amazon that provides 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 solid. Audible creates cutting-edge experiences for its listeners, equivalent to spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, and it helps drive equitable entry, equivalent to 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 worth is double that of Audible Plus, you should have entry to double the content material and audiobooks. The catalog consists of 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 1000’s of audiobooks, comics, and magazines. When you activate your subscription, you possibly can obtain titles from the Kindle Limitless catalog instantly. Kindle Limitless works with all Kindle gadgets, in addition to in your cellphone, pc, or pill by way of the free Kindle app. Audio narration is accessible for 1000’s of Kindle Limitless titles. Search for the headphones icon subsequent to the Kindle Limitless brand on every e book. Browse Kindle Limitless audiobooks.
There are presently 5,000 audiobooks on Kindle Limitless.
Libro.fm
With an expansive library of greater than 400,000 audiobooks, Libro.fm presents classics, new releases, and every thing. A month-to-month subscription will get you one audiobook credit score each month and a 30 % low cost on every thing 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 possibly can decide a retailer) and splits the revenue out of your purchases. The second enticement is the skilled 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 possibly can hearken to them on any gadget and don’t have to make use of the Libro.fm app.
Kobo Plus
With Kobo Plus, you possibly can 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 are usually not out there all over the place, and solely in a restricted variety of nations. There is no such thing as a restrict on what number of audiobooks you possibly can 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. Possible, probably the most compelling side 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 considered one 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 provides you one free audiobook.
I believe Barnes and Noble’s severe funding in audiobooks could be very optimistic. There are usually not very many choices for US clients. Amazon Prime Studying, Kindle Limitless, Audible, Scribd, and Kobo have their subscription programs, however most individuals solely know Audible. Barnes and Noble can leverage its web site and bookstores to get extra clients to subscribe, whereas its competitors is solely on-line.
Scribd/Everand
Scribd has introduced that it’s pivoting away from the limitless subscription mannequin and transferring 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 checklist, and the Massive 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 Normal 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 outstanding authors will solely be capable to be learn should you subscribe to one of many new plans. Unlocked titles are yours to learn or hearken to as many instances as you’d like during your subscription.
Standalone Companies
Libby
Many public libraries help 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, due to Libby’s huge choice, easy-to-use service, and, after all, the truth that it doesn’t price a penny. We now have a information on the best way to get free ebooks along with your library card that can assist you get began. Some libraries additionally provide magazines and comedian books, although the formatting isn’t at all times nice. The Libby app is sort of primary, however it has a stable function set which you can configure to fit your wants.
Sadly, the titles you need are usually not at all times out there. The selection is dependent upon what your library presents and the way widespread 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 possibly can’t at all times renew them.
If you need entry to a library of books with out spending a dime or signing up for a subscription service, LibriVox might be the very best audiobook website. In contrast to the opposite audiobook companies on this checklist, LibriVox allows you to obtain and hearken to audiobooks without spending a dime – 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 solely populated by royalty-free, basic titles.
Google Audiobooks
Google Audiobooks is probably not 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 a substitute, Google sells audiobooks individually, so that you don’t must pay a month-to-month charge to entry its inexpensive costs. You’d anticipate, you possibly can hearken to audiobooks from Google on any Google OS gadget, equivalent to Android and Chromecast merchandise, however there’s additionally a Google Audiobook app for Apple merchandise.
Honorable Mentions
The primary checklist contains the very best worth from well-known firms. The remaining are usually not family names by any means. Nevertheless, they do have loyal customers who swear by their companies.
Audiobooks.com – An unlimited 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 range they’ve curated.
Downpour—Downpour is a bit of cheaper at $12.99 a month and has the cool function that many audiobooks may be rented as a substitute of bought. You could have 30-60 days to hear (and you’ll prolong for a greenback or two if wanted), so it’s excellent for books you wish to hearken to however don’t must 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.
