AppBreakup
Submit an app

Audible alternatives: 2 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Audible: audiobooks are DRM-locked to Audible's apps and devices, and standard plan titles disappear if you cancel. We ranked 2 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Audible, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Spotify currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Spotify logoSpotifyFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +29 of 951.2
2Audiobookshelf logoAudiobookshelfOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Web, iOS +14 of 450.0
  1. Spotify logo

    1. SpotifyTop pick

    Best for: Most listeners who want a huge catalogue, great recommendations and apps on every device

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    51.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Audible

    Premium includes monthly audiobook listening hours alongside music and podcasts.

    Pros

    • Excellent personalised playlists and recommendations
    • Free tier with ads
    • Works on nearly every device via Spotify Connect
    • Podcasts and audiobooks in the same app

    Cons

    • Low per-stream payouts to artists
    • Lossless tops out at CD-level 24-bit/44.1kHz
    • Home screen pushes podcasts and audiobooks
    Visit Spotify Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.341
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Spotify a good Audible alternative?

    Verified facts

    9 of 9 verified
    Users
    788 million, 306 million subscribers
    Checked Oct 29, 2026newsroom.spotify.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Markets
    184
    Checked Oct 29, 2026newsroom.spotify.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes, with ads
    Checked Nov 1, 2026spotify.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lossless
    Up to 24-bit/44.1kHz FLAC
    Checked Oct 29, 2026support.spotify.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Premium plans
    Individual, Duo, Family, Student
    Checked Oct 29, 2026spotify.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $12.99 a month (Premium Individual)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026spotify.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Premium Duo plan
    $18.99 a month for 2 accounts
    Checked Nov 1, 2026spotify.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Premium Family plan
    $21.99 a month for up to 6 accounts
    Checked Nov 1, 2026spotify.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Student discount
    Premium Student at $6.99 a month
    Checked Nov 1, 2026spotify.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Audiobookshelf logo

    2. Audiobookshelf

    Best for: Audiobook and podcast listeners who want an Audible-style library they host themselves

    Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Web, iOS, Android

    50.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Audible

    Self-hosted server for audiobooks you already own as DRM-free files.

    Pros

    • Per-user progress synced across devices
    • Good metadata lookup and chapter tools
    • Podcast subscriptions with auto-download

    Cons

    • Mobile apps are still labelled beta
    • Only for audiobooks, podcasts and basic ebooks
    • Relies heavily on one lead developer
    Visit Audiobookshelf Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.338
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Audiobookshelf a good Audible alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Media types
    Audiobooks and podcasts
    Checked Oct 29, 2026audiobookshelf.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Mobile apps
    Android and iOS, offline listening (beta)
    Checked Oct 29, 2026audiobookshelf.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Multi-user
    Yes, custom permissions
    Checked Oct 29, 2026audiobookshelf.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best Audible alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Spotify logo

Best Audible alternative for most people

Spotify

Premium includes monthly audiobook listening hours alongside music and podcasts.

Audiobookshelf logo

Best Audible alternative for a free option

Audiobookshelf

Self-hosted server for audiobooks you already own as DRM-free files.

Spotify logo

Best Audible alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Spotify

Premium includes monthly audiobook listening hours alongside music and podcasts.

Audiobookshelf logo

Best Audible alternative for open source

Audiobookshelf

Self-hosted server for audiobooks you already own as DRM-free files.

Audiobookshelf logo

Best Audible alternative for self-hosting

Audiobookshelf

Self-hosted server for audiobooks you already own as DRM-free files.

Spotify logo

Best Audible alternative for Mac

Spotify

Premium includes monthly audiobook listening hours alongside music and podcasts.

Spotify logo

Best Audible alternative for Windows

Spotify

Premium includes monthly audiobook listening hours alongside music and podcasts.

Spotify logo

Best Audible alternative for iPhone and Android

Spotify

Premium includes monthly audiobook listening hours alongside music and podcasts.

Spotify logo

Best Audible alternative for working in the browser

Spotify

Premium includes monthly audiobook listening hours alongside music and podcasts.

Audible alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Audible?

Spotify ranks first right now. Premium includes monthly audiobook listening hours alongside music and podcasts.

Is there a free alternative to Audible?

Yes. Spotify (free plan + paid) and Audiobookshelf (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Audible?

Yes: Audiobookshelf. Audiobookshelf can also be self-hosted.

Why do people switch from Audible?

The complaints we hear most: audiobooks are DRM-locked to Audible's apps and devices; standard plan titles disappear if you cancel; buying titles outside credits is expensive.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Audible, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.