I Tried 8 Audible Alternatives So You Don’t Have To…
Curious about what’s beyond Audible? I thoroughly tested different audiobook platforms because I believe everyone deserves to find a service that genuinely fits their listening habits and values. Whether you’re looking to save money, support indie authors, or just want better audio quality, there are Audible alternatives worth exploring!
I care deeply about the audiobook ecosystem staying diverse and accessible. And some Audible competitors have features that truly set them apart, benefitting both audiobook fans and creators.
Quick Verdict
You might want to skip these: Libby (bad audio quality), Everand (killed their best feature), BookBeat (Europe-only with a frustrating hour model), Spotify (that hour limit is insulting)
Actually Worth Trying: Hoopla (free with library cards), Chirp (browse their deals monthly), Audiobooks.com (bit boring model but reliable), LibroFM (ethical + amazing sales)
Best for Most People: Start with your library’s Hoopla access, then explore LibroFM’s sales section!
Bottom Line: Several alternatives beat Audible in specific areas, especially if you care about author royalties, hate DRM, or just love a good deal!
Which Audible Alternatives actually work (and which don’t)
I don’t recommend…
Libby: Great selection and free with a library card, but the audio quality is noticeably poor due to compression.
Everand: Used to be a favorite, but they abandoned their unlimited model for a credit system that’s just a worse version of Audible.
BookBeat: Europe-only with an hour-based limit that I found very restrictive.
Spotify: Not worth getting for audiobooks alone, as 15 hours monthly isn’t enough even for casual audiobook listeners.
… instead try…
Chirp: No subscription required, just incredible deals on quality audiobooks. Check their daily emails or browse their catalog monthly in your favorite genres to build an audiobook library that’s huge but affordable.
Audiobooks.com: Reliable Audible alternative with better author royalties and monthly VIP borrows. Not flashy, but consistently works. Read more about Audiobooks.com vs Audible!
… and definitely get:
LibroFM: DRM-free audiobooks supporting indie bookstores. Their sales section offers BookTok hits and bestsellers for under $12, often under $5. You truly own your purchases and can use any audio player (but their own is excellent, too).
Hoopla: Library service with excellent audio quality and no wait lists, just monthly borrowing limits. Recent releases available and the app actually works well. Check out my favorite Hoopla audiobooks!
Should You Actually Switch?
Stay with Audible If:
- Your favorite indie authors are Audible exclusive (supporting them matters, and so do you!)
- You’re deeply invested in the Amazon ecosystem, and it actually works for your habits
- You love Audible Originals
Switch to an Audible Alternative If:
- You have zero audiobook budget (get free library access through Hoopla instead of paying for Audible)
- You care about supporting indie bookstores (LibroFM)
- You want authors to get fair royalties (all alternatives pay better)
- You’re tired of Amazon having a monopoly on your reading life
Try This First: Check if your library offers Hoopla access, browse LibroFM’s sales section (no membership required), and set monthly reminders to check Chirp’s deals in your favorite genres.
🎧 Check out the LibroFM Special promo for 2 audiobook credits in your first month**
🎧 Go to Chirp and get a 30% discount on your first purchase**
🎧 Check out Audiobooks.com in a 30 day free trial**
The audiobook world is bigger than Amazon wants you to think. When authors earn fair royalties and indie bookstores get supported, everyone wins, including listeners looking to discover their next favorite book!
I care deeply about the audiobook ecosystem staying diverse and accessible. With Audible’s recent shift toward AI and focus on big-name exclusives, I worry we might lose the smaller voices that make audiobooks magical. Trying out the Audible alternatives above can help to keep the audiobook world thriving. As fans and listeners, our decisions have an impact!
Eline Blackman (pronouns: she/they) fell in love with books as a child – with being read to and reading herself. 10 years ago, she bought her first Audible book. It was love at first listen! An average of 250 audiobooks per year has become the new normal and you will rarely see Eline without a wireless earbud. Romance and Fantasy are the go-to genres for this audiobook fan.
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