If you’re one of the busy people who don’t have time for reading books, finding the best audiobook app that suits your needs can be an excellent alternative.
Audiobook apps are practical because they enable you to use your time better and make activities like commuting or running errands fun.
Choosing a suitable product requires a lot of research. That’s why we decided to make a list of some of the best apps and their main features, along with short reviews and a buyer’s guide that will help you decide which one is the best for you.
– What’s the Best Audiobook App for You? –
Nook Audiobooks is an app made by Barnes and Noble, and it offers only audiobooks. It’s probably the best free audiobook app for iPhone that doesn’t require a subscription. However, it doesn’t have as many features as other apps.
- Number of audiobooks: 60,000+
- Interface: Lacks some features
- Supported devices: iPhones, iPads, Android devices
- Offline listening: Yes
- Pricing: Pay-per-book
- Customer support options: Email, phone, chat
- Best for: Occasional usage
- Easy to navigate
- Cloud storage
- Removing and archiving audiobooks
Scribd is a top-rated app for books and other files, but it also offers audiobooks. It’s well-known among students and scholars. Scribd also offers magazines and podcasts. It’s probably the best audiobook player app for bookworms.
- Number of books : 500,000+ (including ebooks)
- Interface: Intuitive and user-friendly
- Supported devices: Nook, iOS (11 and newer), iOS (10 and newer for an old version), Android (5.0 or newer), Fire tablets
- Offline listening: Yes
- Pricing: $9.99/month
- Customer support options: Request, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, in person
- Best for: Enterprises and those interested in various kinds of content
- Enterprise plan
- Original titles
- Various types of content
If you want to save money but still get quality content, then eStories is the best audiobook app for you. Its members have various benefits, from discounts to multiple monthly credits. Also, eStories adds new titles every week.
- Number of books: 120,000+
- Interface: A bit glitchy
- Supported devices: Android devices, iPhone
- Offline listening: Yes
- Pricing: $11.99 – $49.99/month or $119.99 – $479.99/year
- Customer support options: Request
- Best for: Those who often listen to audiobooks
- Personalized search tools
- New releases every week
- Discounts and benefits for members
Kindle sells the most popular e-readers, but you can also listen to audiobooks on the Kindle app. It’s one of the top audiobook apps for iPhone and Amazon users. The Kindle app offers many unique features, and it’s worth trying out.
- Number of books: 1+ million (including ebooks and magazines)
- Interface: User-friendly
- Supported devices: Mac, PC, Android, and iOS devices, Alexa
- Offline listening: Yes
- Pricing: Pay-per-book or $9.99/month
- Customer support options: Email, phone, chat
- Best for: Kindle users, kids
- Cloud reader
- Switching from reading to listening
- Instant translations
Short Audiobook App Reviews
Nook Audiobooks Review
Essential Features:
◊ Cloud storage
◊ Easy navigation
◊ Refund option
◊ Wishlist menu
Additional Features:
♦ Monthly events
♦ Removing/archiving audiobooks
♦ Purchasing on the website
♦ Audiobook returns
Nook Audiobooks is a Barnes and Noble app designed especially for listening to audiobooks. It lets its users have an excellent listening experience, but it’s not really customizable.
Number of Audiobooks
Nook Audiobooks has quite a comprehensive library, but it doesn’t offer as many as its biggest competitors. However, it’s possible to buy certain titles at a lower price on Nook. Currently, Nook has over 60,000 audiobooks in its library.
Interface
Nook is the best audiobook app for Android, iOS, and Nook devices. Using Nook Audiobooks is easy, especially if you already have a Barnes and Noble account. One of its downsides is the lack of features such as discounts, gift options, in-app purchases, or sleep timers.
Supported Devices
The Nook Audiobooks app for Android is compatible with Nook LCD and LED Devices running the 4.1 version and up. When the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch are in question, Nook Audiobooks is compatible with devices running iOS 7.0 version and up.
Offline Listening
This is probably the best app to listen to audiobooks because audiobooks you purchase are stored in the cloud. You can listen to them anywhere, as long as you download them. You can archive or delete them afterward if you want to.
Pricing
A good thing about Nook Audiobooks is that you can use it for free without subscribing. That’s a perfect option for people who don’t need its services often and want to buy audiobooks separately. Nook Audiobooks cost depends on the audiobooks.
Customer Support Options
If you run into any problem with your audiobooks, you can email customer support at customerservice@nook.com. Still, if you prefer talking with a customer support representative, you can dial 1-800-THE-BOOK (1-800-843-2665). The team will answer your call Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET and Saturday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET.
Best For
This app is the best for those who like a simple interface and ease of use. Also, not having to subscribe makes the whole process easier. However, people who listen to audiobooks to fall asleep might consider using another app, as Nook Audiobooks lacks a sleep timer option.
Scribd Review
Essential Features:
◊ Available worldwide
◊ Ad-free
◊ Refund options
◊ Scribd Originals
Additional Features:
♦ Various types of content
♦ Removing old content
♦ Uploading content
♦ Scribd for Enterprise
Scribd is a very user-friendly and useful app. Users can listen to as many books as they want, and they also have access to unique content, from documents to sheet music.
Number of Audiobooks
Scribd offers over 500,000 ebooks and audiobooks to its users, while Scribd for enterprises offers over one million titles and over 100 million documents. New titles are added frequently, and you can listen to as many audiobooks as you want.
Interface
Scribd is very easy to use. The website and app are well-organized and user-friendly, even if you can sometimes get lost in dozens of titles. Scribd is one of the best audiobook apps for Android if you have a 5.0 version or newer.
Supported Devices
Newer versions of Android and iOS devices can launch the recently updated app, but it’s possible to download it on older versions, as well. Kobo e-readers aren’t compatible with Scribd, as well as most Kindle e-readers.
Offline Listening
You can save and then download the audiobooks to listen to them when you’re not connected to the internet. You have limited storage, so you will have to delete older audiobooks to free up space.
Pricing
Scribd is relatively cheaper than its biggest competitors. Scribd audiobooks download is possible only if you subscribe and become a member. It costs $9.99 per month, and membership offers many benefits. Some additional taxes are possible.
Customer Support Options
You can chat with Scribd customer support via social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Sending a request through the website is another way of contacting customer service. Users mostly contact it because of subscription cancellation.
Best For
Scribd is best for enterprises because of various discounts and millions of titles and documents. Scribd is also handy for those interested in the best online learning platforms, classes, and the content they can learn from.
eStories Review
Essential Features:
◊ New releases every week
◊ More pricing plans
◊ Unlimited audiobook cloud storage
◊ 30-day return policy
Additional Features:
♦ Personalized search tools
♦ Sync across up to 10 devices
♦ Member discounts and benefits
♦ Audiobook returns
eStories offers many discounts to its members. New titles are added every week, and it’s easy to find new audiobooks as it has personalized search tools.
Number of Audiobooks
An excellent thing about the eStories library is that it’s continuously getting more extensive. You can listen to bestsellers and new titles that you purchased in the eStories audiobook store. Currently, there are over 160,000 titles available.
Interface
You might encounter occasional glitches or bugs when using eStories. Apart from that, the eStories app is easy to use and relatively intuitive. You can add or remove bookmarks, add notes, get personalized recommendations, etc.
Supported Devices
What makes eStories unique is that you can use it on five to ten different devices (depending on the pricing plan you choose). It’s compatible with iOS and Android devices only, and that is one of its downsides.
Offline Listening
eStories is a top audiobook app for Android and iOS users, as it has a download option. The books you purchase will be stored in a cloud. If you download them, you can listen to them with no WiFi connection.
Pricing
There are three different pricing plans, and you can save from 17% to 20% if you pay annually. If you subscribe, you will pay $5.99 for the first three months. There’s a 30-day refund option, and you can cancel the subscription anytime. eStories offers 9,500 free titles.
Customer Support Options
There is only one way to contact eStories customer support, and the best audiobook apps should have at least two options. You can submit a request to reach it. eStories is also active on social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Best For
eStories is excellent for people who regularly listen to audiobooks, as they can receive up to five free credits per month and have six months to use them before they expire. It’s also suitable for people who like to listen to audiobooks when they drive if they have Bluetooth installed in their cars.
Kindle Review
Essential Features:
◊ Customizable settings
◊ Switching from reading to listening
◊ Adding/removing bookmarks
◊ Simple definitions/synonyms
Additional Features:
♦ Kindle Unlimited
♦ Kindle Cloud Reader
♦ Instant translations
♦ Taking notes
Kindle is an Amazon app that’s incredibly user-friendly. Whether you have a Kindle e-reader or not, you will find it useful and affordable. You don’t have to have a Kindle to use this app.
Number of Audiobooks
You can go through a thousand books and audiobooks on the Kindle app. You can share all titles you purchased with up to four members of your family. You can switch from reading to listening without having to buy an audiobook separately.
Interface
Kindle audiobooks on iPhone and Android devices are easy to adjust, clear, and the app is swift, intuitive, and works without bugs. You can switch between devices easily and resume the audiobook from where you left off on the previous device.
Supported Devices
Users can listen to audiobooks on their Web browsers, Kindle, PC (Windows 7 to 10), Mac (OS x 10.10 or higher), Android, and iOS devices. Downloading and syncing audiobooks is easy. Just make sure you’ve turned on the device synchronization feature.
Offline Listening
You can download any audiobook you purchase and listen to it without the internet connection, regardless of Kindle audiobook format. You will still be able to fast forward, return to the previous chapter, change narration speed, etc.
Pricing
The Kindle app is free to download, but you must purchase an audiobook first. However, if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, you can listen to as many titles as you like. Its monthly price is $9.99. This app also offers daily deals and discounts.
Customer Support Options
You can contact Amazon customer support about the Kindle app since Kindle is Amazon’s best free audiobook app. However, you need to specify your order first. After that, you can choose how you want to contact it.
Best For
Apart from Kindle users, this app is suitable for everyone who uses Amazon, as it automatically ties to their Amazon account. Kindle Cloud Reader is also perfect for people who have older devices and want to listen to audiobooks from a web browser.
Finding the best audiobook player isn’t easy, even if you know what you’re looking for. You should ask yourself a few questions before you decide which product to use. This guide will help you determine which features are more important to you and then make the right decision.
Should I Take the Number of Books into Consideration?
If you already know what you wish to listen to, a bigger library shouldn’t be that important. You should care about the number of books only if you enjoy exploring the library and finding new content. In that case, a top audiobook player app with original content would be perfect for you.
How Can Interface Influence My Listening Experience?
A glitchy interface can ruin your listening experience. Constant crashes and bugs can be a problem. Nevertheless, most apps are regularly updated, and bugs that might occasionally appear are fixed quickly. A good interface is essential, after all.
How Many Devices Should Be Supported by an App?
Most people need only a few devices for listening to audiobooks. Supporting more devices is always better, but you should choose apps that support the devices you use. Many apps sync with other devices. Even the best Android audiobook player supports iOS devices, for example.
Is Offline Listening Option Important?
The offline listening option is an essential feature. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t worry, as almost every app has this feature. If you care about keeping older ones, you should pick an app with vast storage or the one that lets you keep them even after you cancel the subscription.
Does Pricing Justify the App’s Quality?
Pricing can’t tell you much about audiobook app’s quality, especially those with a pay-per-book option. If you want to save money, consider choosing a cheaper app, but check if it provides all the required features. Even the best iPhone audiobook app has a pay-per-book option.
How Many Customer Support Options Should I Have?
It’s best if you have more than one way to contact customer support. If you can only contact it by submitting a request, you will need at least a day or two to solve a problem. However, customer support options shouldn’t affect your choice.
Who Are Audiobook Apps Best For?
Audiobooks are best for people who don’t have time to read books, students, and those who want to learn something new. However, if you want to listen to audiobooks to learn a new language, you should consider using one of the best language learning software.