Audiobooks have seen a surge in popularity in recent years. With our busy modern lifestyles, many book lovers are turning to audiobooks as a convenient way to enjoy books during commutes, workouts, chores, and more.
Luckily, there are tons of excellent audiobook apps available to meet this growing demand. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the right one for your needs?
In this comprehensive guide, we break down the 10 best audiobook apps across various platforms. Whether you use an iPhone, Android, or multiple devices, you‘ll discover the perfect app to start listening to audiobooks today.
Top Audiobook Apps for iPhone and iPad
Let‘s start with the best audiobook apps optimized for iPhone and iPad.
1. Audible – The Leading Audiobook App
Audible reigns as the top dog when it comes to audiobook apps. Owned by Amazon, Audible grants access to the largest selection of audiobooks spanning every genre imaginable.
With over 475,000 titles to choose from, you’ll never run out of listening material. Audible also produces original audiobooks you won’t find anywhere else.
The Audible app comes stacked with useful features for an enjoyable listening experience. You can adjust narration speeds, set bookmarks, download books for offline use, and more.
One major perk with Audible is you can seamlessly switch between devices. Whether going from your iPhone to Alexa or Kindle, your listening progress syncs across all platforms.
Cost: Subscriptions start at $14.95 per month for 1 audiobook credit
Library Size: 475,000+
Platforms: iOS, Android, Alexa, Sonos, Windows, Kindle
2. Apple Books – Seamless iPhone Integration
For those embedded in the Apple ecosystem, Apple Books makes an excellent audiobook app choice. Naturally, Apple Books provides the smoothest integration across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and CarPlay.
While the audiobook selection sits smaller than rivals at around 200,000 titles, you still get plenty of bestsellers and popular picks. If using an iPhone, the listening experience feels more seamless compared to third-party apps.
You also gain handy iCloud syncing capabilities. This means you can start a book on one device, then pick up right where you left off on another Apple product.
Cost: A la carte pricing per audiobook
Library Size: ~200,000
Platforms: iOS, macOS
3. Storytel – For Avid Audiobook Fans
Storytel brings an intriguing Netflix-style approach to audiobooks. For a monthly fee, you get unlimited access to listen to as many audiobooks as you want. If you plow through multiple audiobooks per month, this unlimited model is quite cost effective.
While Storytel doesn’t quite rival Audible’s library size at around 150,000 titles, the selection remains plenty respectable—especially given the unlimited nature. From new releases to literary classics, Storytel manages to pack quality over quantity.
The well-designed Storytel app enables easy book browsing, downloading for offline use, playback speed control and sleep timers. You also receive curated recommendations based on listening history.
One limitation is Storytel restricts sharing across devices and lacks cloud syncing capabilities. But the unlimited value more than offsets this shortcoming for voracious audiobook fans.
Cost: Plans from $12.99 per month
Library Size: 150,000
Platforms: iOS, Android
Top Audiobook Apps for Android
Now let‘s explore superb audiobook apps optimized for Android devices.
4. Audible – Top App for Android & iPhone
As covered already, Audible offers hands-down the best all-around audiobook experience across platforms—including Android.
With native Android app support plus seamless syncing abilities, Audible makes it easy to bounce between devices without losing your spot. No matter if using phone, tablet, Alexa speaker or Kindle eReader, Audible has you covered.
Furthermore, only Audible grants access to exclusive original content along with the largest overall catalog spanning 475,000+ audiobooks.
For Android users seeking the complete package, Audible is the clear go-to choice.
Cost: Subscriptions from $14.95 per month
Library Size: 475,000+
Platforms: iOS, Android, Alexa, Sonos, Windows, Kindle
5. Google Play Books – Deep Android Integration
Similar to Apple Books for iPhone, Google Play Books delivers tight integration for Android users. As you’d expect from Google, the app plays nice for shifting between Android phones, tablets, watches, cars and Chromebooks.
While Google Play Books shares a smaller library compared to Audible, you still get all the hot bestselling titles along with thoughtful recommendations. If you value simplicity plus already live entrenched in Google’s ecosystem, Play Books warrants consideration.
Another nice perk is flexible a la carte pricing so you can buy books individually rather than a recurring subscription.
Cost: A la carte pricing per title
Library Size: Difficult to confirm exact number but much smaller than Audible
Platforms: Android, iOS, Chrome OS, Chromecast, Android Wear, Android Auto
6. Libby By Overdrive – Excellent for Library Lovers
Libby, created by OverDrive, stands out by providing free audiobooks from your local library.
If holding an active library card, Libby grants ability to virtually borrow audiobooks directly within the app. This gives you free access to listen to bestsellers and popular catalogs.
Libby delivers a wonderfully smooth listening experience across Android and iOS. Core features like bookmarks, playback speed control and highlights cater well for avid readers.
Just note that since you borrow books rather than owning them outright, time restrictions apply before titles get automatically returned. But for free audiobooks sourced from your local branch, Libby is tough to beat.
Cost: Free with library card
Library Size: Varies depending on local library
Platforms: Android, iOS
Best Cross-Platform Audiobook Apps
For those constantly switching between smartphones, tablets, computers and eReaders, cross-platform audiobook apps offer big convenience.
Here are top options able to sync seamlessly across devices.
7. Kobo Audiobooks – For Book & Audiobook Lovers
Kobo started as an eReader platform and eBook store before branching into audiobooks. Today, Kobo offers apps across Android, iOS, Kindle and desktop to access over 75,000 audiobooks.
One Kobo advantage is the ability to buy matching Kindle eBooks and audiobooks then easily switch formats. So you could read the eBook at home, then listen to the audiobook during your work commute without losing your spot.
Beyond robust format flexibility, Kobo provides sound cross-device syncing and listening features like bookmarks and highlights. While Kobo trails Audible for overall selection, the dual eBook-audiobook format support remains extremely useful for multi-tasking book lovers.
Cost: A la carte pricing per audiobook
Library Size: 75,000+
Platforms: iOS, Android, Kindle, Desktop
8. Downpour – For Diehard Audiobook Fans
Downpour calls itself “the audiobook specialist” for good reason. While smaller than Audible, Downpour laser focuses on delivering an immaculate audiobook experience—particularly across devices.
From intuitive browsing to robust cloud syncing capabilities, Downpour makes it effortless to pick a book on your phone then continue listening on tablet or Alexa. Support for MP3 format means you easily export files outside Downpour’s ecosystem into other apps as well.
While the 125,000 title catalog sits smaller than Audible’s, Downpour nails excellent cross-platform flexibility for true audiophiles.
Cost: A la carte pricing with discounts for bulk purchases
Library Size: 125,000
Platforms: iOS, Android, Alexa, Sonos, Desktop
9. Chirp Books – For Audiobook Deals
Chirp Books brings a novel concept through offering limited-time deals on audiobooks. If you love scoring discounts on digital content, Chirp delivers deep price cuts on popular audiobooks during intermittent sales.
You’ll save up to 80% on thrillers, sci-fi novels, romance books and more. Sale inventory rotates rapidly though. So when you see a discounted title that intrigues you, nabbing it quickly is wise before sales expire.
Beyond stellar deals, Chirp’s apps work great for streaming and syncing audiobooks across iOS and Android devices. If price trumps library breadth, investigate Chirp’s frequently updated sales.
Cost: Book prices deeply discounted during regular sales
Library Size: 50,000+
Platforms: iOS, Android
Bonus Audiobook App Perks
Beyond core listening functionality, some audiobook apps toss in nice extra perks. For example:
- Curated recommendations – advanced algorithms suggest new books tailored to your tastes
- Human narrations – top apps produce audiobooks narrated by real voice actors for an engaging listen
- Integrations – share favorite passages to social media or link up with Goodreads to track reading progress
- Family sharing – some apps let you share audiobook access across family members
- Rewards programs – occasional opportunities to earn free audiobook credits by engaging with the platform
Factor desired special features into your audiobook app choice.
Which Audiobook App Should You Choose?
With so many splendid audiobook apps available in 2023, you have options to perfectly match preferences around platform support, pricing, library size and special features.
Here is a quick cheat sheet for choosing your ideal pick:
- Audible – best overall app with massive library, exclusive content and robust device support
- Apple Books – optimized for iPhone & iPad users embedded in Apple ecosystem
- Storytel – unlimited streaming model best suits avid listeners plowing through lots of books
- Google Play – tight Android OS integration along with flexible a la carte pricing
- Kobo – ideal for reading ebooks AND listening to matching audiobooks across devices
- Libby – score free audiobooks through local library system
The vibrant audiobook industry promises continued innovation and even more outstanding apps on the horizon. But for now in 2023, the well-established options above deliver everything needed to start enjoying audiobooks across all major platforms.
Happy listening!
