Best Audiobook Apps for you and your family

Let’s be honest, with life always on the go it can be hard to find time to sit down and read.  Audiobooks are a great way to enjoy your favorite books throughout your busy day. Whether you are listening while washing dishes, folding laundry or on a family road trip, audiobooks can make the time fly and be a lot more enjoyable.  

Growing up, audiobooks were available on cassette or CD but with the advent of the smartphone, audiobook apps quickly took their place. But which audiobook app is the best for you and your family? It can depend on what you like to read and how many books you are reading in a month. Continue reading below to see how we rank three of our favorite audiobook apps.

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Audible

Best audiobook app for the reader who is always waiting for the next new release and for readers who like to re-read books.

Audible is probably the best-known audiobook app is the equivalent of a bookstore.  It’s my go-to app for new releases and has the largest selection of audiobooks.  Sign on, buy your book and download and you’re ready to start listening.

Cost: $14.95/month

What you get:

• One month free with one or two audiobooks of your choice when you first sign up. 
• With your monthly subscription, you are given 1 credit to use to purchase a new title.  A lot of new releases can cost around $25+ so as long as you are using your credits on full priced books you get more than you pay for.  Each credit is good for a year, so while you don’t need to rush to use them, they will drop off eventually if you don’t.
• 2 Audible Original books per month. Each month there is a selection of Audible Original books that you get to pick 2 of to add to your library.  These ones are only available monthly so make sure to review them and grab ones you like before they are gone.
• Access to free books, 2 for 1 sales and buying credits in bulk which will all help you enjoy more books for less money.

Pros:

• Largest selection of titles and earliest access to new releases.
• You own the audiobooks that you purchase. Even after you cancel your subscription, your account stays active and you can access and listen to all of the books you have purchased.
• Tied to Amazon/Kindle accounts and some books are available as a bundled deal when you get both the Kindle and Audible versions.
• Listen via computer, phone, tablet or Alexa.

Cons:

• Most expensive of audiobook app options.
• Most books need to be downloaded in order to listen to them.

Scribd

Best audiobook app for avid readers and families of readers who are listening to multiple books in a month. 

I just discovered Scribd and am already singing it’s praises.  Where Audible is more of a bookstore, Scribd is the equivalent of Netflix for audiobooks.  For a single monthly price, you have access to all their content.  While it may not have all of the titles you search for there is plenty to listen to, including a large selection of children’s books.  Also available with your membership is access to their library of ebooks, magazines, documents and sheet music.   

Cost: $8.99/month 

Pros: 

• Your first two months are FREE and you can earn extra free months by getting others to sign up. (Really, click the link. That way I can keep reading for free)
• A one-stop shop for ebooks, audiobooks and more.
• No extra fees or credits.
• Have the ability to flag and download books for easy access and offline access.

 Cons:

• It’s hit or miss if a title is available. (Currently, none of the Harry Potter Books are there)
• You don’t own any of the titles so if you stop your membership you will lose everything. There is also the possibility of Scribd removing a title while you are in the midst of reading/listening, but I find this less likely.

Libby (or other audiobook apps linked to your local library)

Best audiobook app for people on a budget.

Most public libraries now include a collection of ebooks and audiobooks that you can check out like you would a physical book.  You simply download the audiobook app (check with your local library to see which one they partner with), sign in with your library card and then reserve and check out titles, all for free.  The only catch is that it really does work like the library and titles can only be checked out by one person at a time and have a due date.  This means you may have to wait for a popular title and that once you have it you will only have a set amount of time in which to finish the book.

Cost: FREE

Pros:

• Free. No membership or subscription (outside of your library card) needed.

 Cons:

• You may have to wait for titles and then make sure you finish them before they are due.

Overall, each app has its pros and cons. The one that is perfect for you might not be a good fit for your kids. You may find that a mix of audiobook apps is what works best for you and your family.  Try them out (they are all free to start with) and get listening!

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