7 Best Audiobook Apps to Listen to Books Anywhere

Audiobooks make it easier to enjoy books while commuting, exercising, traveling, or relaxing at home. With the right app, you can explore bestselling novels, learn new skills, and listen to your favorite stories without carrying physical books. Many audiobook platforms also offer offline downloads, adjustable playback speeds, sleep timers, and personalized recommendations.

But with so many options available, choosing the Best Audiobook App depends on your listening habits, budget, and preferred genres. Some apps offer free audiobooks through public libraries, while others provide premium subscriptions or individual purchases.

In this guide, we’ll explore seven popular audiobook apps for iPhone and Android, compare their features, and help you find the right option for your needs.

How to Choose the Best Audiobook App

Before downloading an app, consider its pricing model, audiobook collection, playback features, and device compatibility. The Best Audiobook App should make discovering, downloading, and listening to books simple and convenient.

Look for features such as offline playback, customizable narration speed, bookmarks, sleep timers, and cross-device syncing. Also, check whether the service offers a free catalog, a subscription, or a pay-per-book option.

7 Best Audiobook Apps to Listen to Books Anywhere

1. Audible: Best for Premium Audiobooks

Audible is a popular choice for listeners who want bestselling audiobooks, exclusive productions, and a broad selection of genres. Its catalog includes fiction, nonfiction, biographies, self-help books, and podcasts.

The app supports offline downloads, adjustable playback speeds, bookmarks, and listening across compatible devices. Subscription benefits and available titles vary by plan and region.

Why choose Audible?

• Extensive audiobook selection
• Exclusive titles and original productions
• Offline listening and playback controls
• Personalized recommendations

Audible can be the Best Audiobook App for frequent listeners who want access to premium content and regularly explore new releases.

Also read: How to Cancel Audible Membership: 5-Minute Guide

2. Libby: Best for Free Audiobooks

Libby lets you borrow digital audiobooks and ebooks from participating public libraries using a valid library card. It is an excellent option for readers who want to enjoy books without paying for a separate audiobook subscription.

You can download available titles for offline listening, adjust playback speed, set a sleep timer, and save bookmarks. However, your library determines which titles are available, and popular books may have waiting lists.

Why choose Libby?

• Free borrowing through participating libraries
• Offline listening
• Simple interface and useful playback controls
• Access to ebooks as well as audiobooks

For budget-conscious readers, Libby may be the Best Audiobook App because it provides access to a wide range of titles without a monthly subscription fee.

3. Hoopla Digital: Best for Instant Library Borrowing

Hoopla Digital provides access to audiobooks and other digital media through participating libraries. Depending on your library’s collection and borrowing rules, you can borrow available titles without waiting for another reader to return them.

The app also offers ebooks, comics, movies, television content, and music. Offline downloads make it useful for travelers and commuters who want entertainment without a constant internet connection.

Why choose Hoopla?

• Library-funded access to eligible titles
• Instant borrowing for available content
• Multiple types of digital media
• Offline playback on supported titles

Hoopla is worth considering if you want the Best Audiobook App for borrowing books and accessing other digital entertainment in one place.

4. Audiobooks.com: Best for Subscription Listening

Audiobooks.com is a subscription-based service featuring fiction, nonfiction, thrillers, children’s stories, and other genres. It also offers selected free content, although catalog access and membership benefits can vary.

Its listening tools include offline downloads, playback-speed controls, bookmarks, and a sleep timer. The service is particularly useful for readers who prefer a dedicated audiobook platform rather than a general ebook store.

Why choose Audiobooks.com?

• Broad selection of audiobook genres
• Offline listening
• Convenient playback controls
• Subscription options and selected free titles

It could be the Best Audiobook App for listeners who want a dedicated audiobook subscription and an alternative to Audible.

5. Google Play Books: Best for Buying Individual Audiobooks

Google Play Books is a practical choice for people who prefer purchasing audiobooks individually instead of paying for a recurring subscription. You can browse available titles, purchase the books you want, and access your library on supported devices.

The app also supports ebooks, making it convenient if you enjoy switching between reading and listening. Features and playback options may differ across platforms.

Why choose Google Play Books?

• No audiobook subscription required
• Individual audiobook purchases
• Audiobooks and ebooks in one library
• Access across compatible devices

For occasional listeners, it may be the Best Audiobook App when flexibility and paying only for selected titles matter most.

6. LibriVox: Best for Free Classic Audiobooks

LibriVox offers recordings of public-domain books read by volunteers. Its collection includes classic novels, poetry, history, and other literary works in multiple languages.

Because volunteers record the books, narration quality can vary. However, the service is an appealing option for anyone interested in classic literature without subscription costs.

Why choose LibriVox?

• Free public-domain audiobooks
• Classic literature and historical works
• Multiple languages
• A useful option for discovering older titles

LibriVox may be the Best Audiobook App for students, literature enthusiasts, and listeners who enjoy timeless stories.

Also read: 7 Best Free Book Apps for Reading

7. Storytel: Best for Multilingual Audiobooks

Storytel offers a subscription-based listening experience with audiobooks and, in supported markets, ebooks. Its catalog and available plans vary by country, making it particularly important to check regional availability before subscribing.

The app supports features designed for regular listeners, including offline access, personalized discovery, and tools for tracking listening activity.

Why choose Storytel?

• Audiobooks in multiple languages, depending on region
• Subscription-based access to eligible titles
• Offline listening
• Listening goals and personalized recommendations

Storytel could be the Best Audiobook App for people who enjoy exploring international literature and listening in their preferred language.

Subscription vs. Pay-Per-Book: Which Is Better?

Your listening frequency should guide your decision. Subscription services can offer better value if you listen regularly and want to explore different genres. However, check the plan’s listening limits, included titles, and cancellation terms before paying.

Pay-per-book platforms suit occasional listeners who want to purchase specific audiobooks without maintaining a monthly membership. Library apps are worth trying first if you want to minimize costs.

Final Verdict

The Best Audiobook App depends on your budget and listening habits. Audible is great for premium audiobooks, Libby and Hoopla are ideal for free library borrowing, and Google Play Books suits occasional listeners. If you enjoy classic literature, LibriVox is worth trying, while Storytel and Audiobooks.com offer subscription alternatives.

Compare their features, pricing, and available titles to find the right app for you. Download your favorite and start listening to your next great book anytime, anywhere.

FAQs: Best Audiobook Apps