Audiobook apps are mobile applications that allow users to listen to audiobooks on smartphones and tablets. These apps usually provide users access to a wide selection of audiobooks, including new releases, bestsellers, and classic literature. Some audiobook apps require a subscription or the purchase of individual audiobooks, while others are free and offer a selection of free titles. An audiobook app allows users to listen to a diverse selection of audiobooks covering various genres and topics. To help you make an informed choice, we’ve sounded out the pros and cons of the best free audiobook apps for iPhone and Android, and their features, so make sure you’re all ears and read on!
Some of the best free audiobook apps are Libby, Hoopla, LibriVox Audio Books, OverDrive, Google Play Books, Apple Books, Audiobooks.com, Kobo Books, Audioteka, BookPlayer, and Open Culture. They offer features like offline listening, bookmarking, and playback controls, as well as a sleep timer for automatic stopping. Users can sync progress across devices, customize playback settings, and enjoy background playback. These apps provide discoverability through recommendations and personalized suggestions. Progress tracking makes it easy to resume from the last listening point.
Best Free Audiobook Apps
Audiobook apps are mobile applications that allow users to listen to audiobooks on their smartphones or tablets. A free audiobook app is a mobile application that allows users to listen to audiobooks at no cost. These apps provide access to a selection of audiobooks without requiring any subscription fees or individual purchases. Some free audiobook apps offer a wide range of titles in the public domain, while others may have limited free content or rely on ad-supported models. These apps provide access to a vast library of audiobooks, covering various genres and topics.
#1. Audible
Audible is the most popular audiobook app and offers a free 30-day trial with a wide range of audiobooks and podcasts that you can enjoy. The app allows you to browse new titles, search for specific authors or titles, and preview some of its books.
#2. Hoopla
Hoopla offers a vast library of free audiobooks to users with a library card. It has a user-friendly interface and allows you to download audiobooks to listen offline.
#3. LibriVox
LibriVox was formerly known as Loyal Books. It consists of audiobooks with volunteer narrators and is completely free. The app has over 15,000 audiobooks in its catalog that can be streamed or downloaded.
#4. Google Play Books
Google Play Books is a free audiobook app that offers thousands of audiobooks for free. You can browse its catalog, read reviews, and preview books before downloading them to be accessed offline.
#5. Overdrive
Overdrive is widely used in public libraries and offers access to thousands of free audiobooks. The app is easy to navigate and comes with a user-friendly interface.
#6. Audiobooks.com
Although this app primarily requires a paid subscription, it offers a selection of free audiobooks that rotate every month. The app also gives you a free trial with one free audiobook.
#7. Free Audiobooks
This app has a selection of free public-domain audiobooks that do not require an internet connection to listen to. You can browse the collection by author, title, or genre.
#8. Libby
This is a popular app for accessing free audiobooks through your local library. You can borrow audiobooks and ebooks using the app, and the titles are automatically returned when the loan period is over.
#9. Audioteka
This app offers a selection of free audiobooks and also features a paid subscription service. You can browse the free audiobooks by genre, author, or popularity.
#10. Kobo Books
This app offers a selection of free audiobooks that can be streamed or downloaded to your device. You can browse by genre, author, or popularity.
#11. Apple Books
The Apple Books app is pre-installed on all iPhones running iOS 12 or later and offers a vast selection of free audiobooks. You can browse the library to find new titles and access audiobooks offline.
#11. Libro. FM
This app is a great alternative to Audible and offers a wide selection of free audiobooks. The app also supports independent bookstores by allowing users to choose a bookstore to support and earn loyalty rewards with each purchase.
#12. BookPlayer
This app allows users to import their DRM-free audiobooks and features customizable playback options. The app also offers a sleep timer and a convenient bookmarking feature.
#13. Open Culture
Open Culture offers a wide selection of free audiobooks in addition to free online courses, eBooks, and more. The audiobooks are available to download and can be transferred to your iPhone for listening on the go.
Features of an Audiobook App
Audiobook apps offer a variety of features to enhance the listening experience for users.
Some common features include:
#1. Vast Audiobook Library
A wide selection of audiobooks covers different genres, including fiction, non-fiction, classics, and more.
#2. Offline Listening
The ability to download audiobooks for offline listening, which allows users to listen even without an internet connection.
#3. Bookmarking and Playback Controls
Features to bookmark favorite sections, control playback speed, and easily navigate through chapters.
#4. Sleep Timer
A sleep timer function that allows users to set a specific time for the app to stop playing the audiobook automatically.
#5. Sync Across Devices
The option to sync listening progress across multiple devices enables a seamless transition between different platforms.
#6. Customization
Features like adjusting playback speed, equalizer settings, and narration speed to suit individual preferences.
#7. Background Playback
The ability to continue listening while using other apps or when the device’s screen is turned off.
#8. Car Mode
A car mode or interface designed for safer and more straightforward use while driving.
#9. Discoverability
They give recommendations, curated lists, and personalized suggestions based on listening history.
#10. Free and Paid Content
Access to both free and premium audiobooks, with some apps offering a subscription model or individual purchase options.
#11. User Reviews and Ratings
They offer access to user reviews and ratings to help users make informed choices about audiobooks.
#12. Audiobook Progress Tracking
Users can see the progress made in an audiobook and easily resume where they left off.
Advantages of a Free Audiobook App
Free audiobook apps offer several advantages for users, making them a popular choice for audiobook enthusiasts.
Here are some of the advantages:
#1. Cost-free Access
The most obvious benefit is that free audiobook apps allow users to listen to audiobooks without cost. Users can enjoy a wide range of content without the need for a subscription or individual purchases.
#2. Vast Library
Many free audiobook apps offer an extensive library of audiobooks, including classic literature, public domain works, and other valuable content that may be hard to find elsewhere.
#3. Diverse Genres
Users can explore various genres and topics, discovering new authors and books they might not have considered otherwise.
#4. Offline Listening
Free audiobook apps often provide the option to download audiobooks for offline listening. This feature allows users to enjoy their favorite books even when they don’t have an internet connection.
#5. Introduction to Audiobooks
For those new to audiobooks, free apps offer an excellent opportunity to try out this format without any financial commitment.
#6. No Advertisements
Some free audiobook apps are ad-supported, but many do not include ads during audiobook playback, ensuring an uninterrupted listening experience.
#7. Community-driven Content
Apps like Librivox rely on volunteers who narrate and contribute to the library, creating a sense of community involvement and appreciation for literature.
#8. Cross-Device Sync
Many free audiobook apps offer synchronization across devices, enabling users to seamlessly continue listening from where they left off on different gadgets.
#9. Easily Accessible
Free audiobook apps are readily available in major app stores, making it convenient for users to download and listen right away.
#10. User Reviews and Ratings
Users can often access reviews and ratings for audiobooks, helping them make informed choices about what to listen to.
Disadvantages of a Free Audiobook App
Here are some disadvantages of audiobook apps:
#1. Limited Selection
Free audiobook apps may have a more restricted selection of titles compared to paid services. They often focus on public domain works and classics, which might not include the latest bestsellers or popular contemporary books.
#2. Quality Variability
Since free audiobook apps often rely on volunteers to narrate the books, the quality of the narration may vary. Some audiobooks may have less professional or inconsistent narration compared to professionally produced audiobooks.
#3. Ad-Supported Models
Some free audiobook apps use advertisements to support their service, which can interrupt the listening experience and be distracting for some users.
#4. No Exclusive Content
Free apps may not offer exclusive or premium content that can be found in paid services. This could mean missing out on certain audiobooks or original productions.
#5. Limited Features
Free apps might lack some advanced features and customization options found in paid services, such as enhanced playback controls, seamless syncing, and personalized recommendations.
#6. Internet Dependency
While many free audiobook apps allow offline listening, some may require a constant internet connection to access and stream audiobooks.
#7. Less Support and Updates
Free apps might not receive regular updates and improvements compared to paid services that have dedicated teams and resources.
#8. Limited Customer Support
Free apps might offer limited customer support compared to paid services that prioritize their paying customers.
#9. Less Frequent Updates
The library of free audiobook apps may not be updated as frequently as paid services, resulting in slower access to newly released audiobooks.
#10. Data Privacy Concerns
Some free apps may collect user data for targeted advertising or other purposes, potentially raising privacy concerns for some users.
How Did We Choose These Audiobook Apps?
We can choose audiobook apps based on reviews, functionality, personal preferences, availability, and price. Some of the top-rated audiobook apps include Audible, Audiobooks.com, Google Play Books, Kobo Books, and Apple Books. Additionally, book summary apps can also be a helpful tool for readers who prefer quick summaries over full books. Ultimately, the choice of an audiobook app will depend on individual needs and preferences.
Is There a Completely Free Audiobook App?
Yes, there are several completely free audiobook apps available, such as LibriVox and Hoopla. These apps provide users with access to a wide variety of audiobooks at no cost. Additionally, some library apps, like Libby and OverDrive, allow users to borrow audiobooks for free with a valid library card. While some free audiobook apps may have limited title availability. They can still be a great option for those on a budget or looking to test out audiobooks for the first time.
How Can I Listen to Audiobooks Completely for Free?
There are several ways to listen to audiobooks for free. One option is to use websites such as LibriVox, Audiobooks.com, and Open Culture. They provide a large selection of free audiobooks that are in the public domain or available with a library membership. Many local libraries offer audiobooks for free through their digital collections. They can be accessed through apps like OverDrive and Libby.
Are Spotify Audiobooks Free?
No, Spotify Audiobooks are not free. Although Spotify offers a selection of audiobooks, they are not included in a Spotify Premium subscription and must be purchased separately. Prices for audiobooks on Spotify range from $3 and up, depending on the title.
How to Download a Book for Free
To download a book for free, you can use one of the many websites that offer free downloadable eBooks. Such as Project Gutenberg, ManyBooks, FreeComputerBooks, FreeEbooks.Net, and the Google eBookstore. You can also use websites like PDF Drive and the Open Library, which offer free PDF downloads and lending library services. You can often find free eBooks through Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play Books. Most of these sites have a search bar feature that allows you to search for specific titles or authors, and you can download books in a variety of formats depending on the site.
Can You Listen to Audible Offline?
Yes, you can listen to Audible offline. Once you have downloaded an audiobook from Audible, you can listen to it offline using the Audible app on your device. This means that you do not need an internet connection to listen to Audible audiobooks once they have been downloaded to your device. Depending on your Audible membership, you may need to purchase or download audiobooks before you can listen to them offline.
Summary
The advantages of audiobook apps include convenience, multitasking, variety of content, accessibility for people with visual impairments or learning disabilities, and the fact that they can be a cost-effective option for accessing books. The disadvantages of audiobook apps include cost if requiring a subscription, less control over the pace compared to reading, the impact of the narrator on the listening experience, technical issues, limitations on title availability, and potentially missing out on important details by not being able to easily go back to review previous content.
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