The Audible alternative that supports independent bookshops with every audiobook purchase
Over the past decade, the audiobook market has soared, with revenue in the United States alone hitting $9 billion in 2023—an increase in 9% from the previous year. With this surge in popularity, more readers are looking for audiobooks and often automatically turn to Amazon-owned Audible. But what if you’re looking for a more ethical Audible alternative? Or an alternative run by readers who prioritize user feedback for app updates? Hi, we’re Libro.fm, the audiobook platform that shares profits with independent bookshops, and it’s great to meet you!
Why Libro.fm?
Every purchase supports the independent bookshop of your choice.
When you start a monthly membership, buy audiobook credits, or grab audiobooks à la carte on Libro.fm, every purchase goes toward the store of your choice. We partner with 3,000+ independent bookshops across the globe, including hundreds of stores owned by LGBTQIA+, disabled, and/or people of color. Don’t see your indie? Let them know about Libro.fm!
When you shop small and support local businesses like your indie bookshop, you benefit your entire community—which can have a huge impact.
We are a Social Purpose Corporation
What does that mean? We pursue social goals, even if those goals conflict with our financial interests. This is because we deeply care about supporting indie bookshops & local communities.
We are also employee-owned and a small business
We care about small businesses because we are a small business.
DRM-free downloads–as in, you actually own your audiobooks
Download the files and listen to them wherever you want. You bought them, so you should own them.
Your audiobook credits never expire
Can’t get to a new audiobook this month? Don’t worry about it! Your credits roll over, and even if you cancel or pause your membership, they are still available for you to use.
We are real people, not bots
Have questions? Email [email protected] and a (human) member of our (human) team of book lovers will get back to you.
Booksellers drive our recommendations—not algorithms
Not only do they write recommendations, but they curate playlists full of their favorite audiobooks. When you browse Libro.fm’s website or apps, you should feel like you’re in your indie bookstore.
Over 500,000 audiobooks to choose from
And that number is always growing! We have an extensive library, in which you’ll find everything from bestsellers to stories from indie publishers.
Members get exclusive perks
From 30% off additional à la carte purchases, including sale audiobooks, to exclusive buy-one-get-one sales, membership pays off!
We offer multiple membership plans
Sometimes one audiobook a month just isn’t enough! We also offer a two audiobooks per month plan.
Listen on our free iOS and Android apps
While you can download your audiobook files and listen anywhere, we recommend our apps! (And yes, this does include an Apple Watch app.) From sleep timers to bookmarks and other fun features, they’re built for readers, by readers. Plus, you can redeem your credits in the app.
We’re committed to investing in booksellers and authors that are LGBTQIA+, disabled, and/or people of color
And we elevate their stories throughout our website, app, and marketing communications.
We have great sales
Seriously…readers both love and hate us for it 😉 Discounted audiobooks = bigger TBR digital library.
Frequently asked questions
Why can’t I purchase audiobooks in the app?
Once you purchase credits on our website, you can use those credits to redeem audiobooks directly in the app. Unfortunately, due to strict app store rules and regulations regarding commission rates, we are unable to offer purchases in the app at this time. (We want to maximize the amount we pay our bookshop partners!)
What listening speeds do you support?
.5-3.5x—and we do not judge.
Do you work in my country?
Yes, we are available internationally.
Can my Audible library move with me?
Audible is not DRM-free, meaning you don’t actually own the audiobooks you purchase with them. Unfortunately, that means you can’t download the files and listen on other devices—including on the Libro.fm apps. Unlike Audible, we are DRM-free, however, so know that if you ever cancel your account, your library can go with you.
What do you mean by DRM-free?
Digital Rights Management, or DRM, is a publisher’s attempt to control access to copyrighted digital content. Being DRM-free has always been a part of Libro.fm—so you can actually own your audiobooks.
I’m a self-published author. How do I get my audiobooks on Libro.fm?
We’d love to work with more self-published authors! We have resources to help with promotion, as well as audiobook production without Amazon’s Audible. (Not 100% convinced? Check out this post outlining how authors are fighting Audible.)
Do you have recommendations for other Amazon alternatives?
Yes, we do 😀
Do you offer an included-with-membership library like Audible?
We are constantly updating our list of free audiobooks. Members also receive 30% off à la carte purchases and access to exclusive buy-one-get-one sales.
What’s the best way to stay up to date on offers, sales, and product updates?
Sign up for our email list, and follow us on social media!
Ready to sign up?
Start a new membership with code SWITCH and get three audiobooks for the price of one.
*Offer is good for new memberships only, not restarts, and only on our one credit per month plan.
