10 Best Audiobook Apps: From Free Libraries to Premium Experiences

Could your daily commute become your most productive learning time of the day? With the best audiobook apps like Headway, Audible, and Apple Books, busy professionals and book lovers can easily turn this time into short lessons.

If you’re looking to kickstart those self-development goals with a newfound reading habit, your first step should be starting an audiobook library. Fortunately, some apps allow you to play and organize audiobooks alongside a variety of useful features. Start with Headway's 15-minute audio summaries that fit perfectly into your daily routine, whether you're commuting, exercising, or taking a break.

Download the Headway app today to join 50 million users who've discovered that personal development doesn't require hours of reading — just smart, focused learning through the world's best non-fiction summaries!

Enhance your listening experience with Headway

Adjust the narrative voice, create audio highlights, and absorb key points in just 15 minutes!

Listen now

Quick summary: Best apps for listening to books

• Top audiobook platforms including Audible, Apple Books, and Google Play Books with their unique features.

• Free audiobook apps like Libby and LibriVox that connect to your local library.

• Book summary apps like Headway that condense bestsellers into 15-minute lessons.

• Subscription services from Scribd, Kobo, and others with monthly subscription options.

Get into details with the full list of the best audiobook apps!

Top 10 best audiobook apps for every reader type

Finding the perfect audiobook listening companion can transform your daily routine. Here's our curated list of platforms that excel in different areas.

1. Headway: Quick learning for busy book lovers

Best for: Busy professionals who want to absorb key insights from non-fiction bestsellers in just 15 minutes.

Key features:

• 1500+ book summaries across personal development, business, and wellness.

• Audio and text formats with adjustable playback speed.

• Progress tracking and daily learning streaks.

• Personalized recommendations and curated collections.

• Offline listening for learning on-the-go.

Some apps help you kill time. Headway helps you make the most of it — with short, impactful learning formats loved by over 50 million users. This renowned book summary app features over 1500 audiobook summaries in various non-fiction genres, perfect for those who want knowledge without the time commitment.

This app allows you to watch, listen to, or read audio summaries of your favorite self-help books or memoirs by affluent celebrities and intellectuals. Headway's well-crafted summaries are packed with insightful information on the key parts of any book, which means you'll be gaining all the knowledge in less than a quarter of the time it takes to read a full-length novel.

For only $1.45 each week, you can track your progress and participate in self-growth challenges that cater to your long-term learning and development. With audio and text options plus progress tracking, it's personal growth always one tap away.

Download the Headway app from the Google Play Store or the Apple Store to make your phone your smartest habit!

2. Apple Books: The iOS powerhouse

Best for: Apple ecosystem users who want seamless integration across iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.

Key features:

• Direct in-app purchasing without redirects.

• Family Sharing for up to 6 family members.

• Automatic syncing across all Apple devices.

• Sleep timer and adjustable playback speed (0.75x to 2x).

• CarPlay support for hands-free listening while driving.

Fortunately for iPhone users, Apple offers its own ebook application with an audiobook feature. With millions of books and audiobooks in English, readers certainly won’t miss out on trending picks in the literary world.

However, Apple Books is loyal to its namesake and only compatible with IOS devices, meaning that Android users will need to find another app for their audiobook needs.

One of the features that sets Apple Books apart from other book apps is the ability to shop directly from the app. This makes purchasing books and adding them to your iPad library much easier.

You’ll also find that Apple’s book app is designed especially for easy access and better library management. In particular, users can put audiobooks on their wishlist and view app recommendations for audiobooks they might like based on their browsing and purchase history.

3. Libby: Your pocket-sized public library

Best for: Budget-conscious readers who want free access to bestsellers through their library card.

Key features:

• Completely free with valid library card.

• Access to multiple library systems simultaneously.

• No late fees - automatic returns.

• Kindle compatibility for ebook reading.

• Tag system for organizing your reading list.

Created by OverDrive, the Libby app allows you to access free books and audiobooks offered by your local public library. Since this is a library-run service, the books you listen to on the app are borrowed and owned by your local library.

You can access trendy bestsellers, new releases, and classic literature without taking a dime out of your pocket. Of course, you’ll need to register an account with a legitimate library card to access any digital content. Still, there’s no beating this convenient method of enjoying free audiobooks from your phone.

4. Google Play Books: Android's answer to Apple

Best for: Android users seeking a versatile reading platform with cross-device compatibility.

Key features:

• Upload personal PDFs and EPUBs (up to 1,000 files).

• Night Light feature for comfortable evening reading.

• Read aloud function with natural voice synthesis.

• Family Library sharing with up to 5 family members.

• Integration with Google Assistant for voice commands.

Everything under the sun can be done using Google’s services, from navigating the world with Google Maps to organizing your diary with Google Calendar.

Now, they even have Google Play Books that allows book lovers to browse from a selection of top-rated books in any genre. If you own an Android-powered device, consider this an all-in-one tool to access a world of audiobooks in their digital counterparts.

There are a few advantages that make this app worth getting over others. For one, the application is free except for in-app purchases. You also get access to more types of digital content like textbooks and comic books.

Lastly, you can use this app on your smartphone, tablet, or browser. Whichever one you aim to use, your progress and audiobook collection sync between all devices, which means you can continue listening from anywhere you are.

Enhance your listening experience with Headway

Adjust the narrative voice, create audio highlights, and absorb key points in just 15 minutes!

Start now

5. Audible: Amazon's audiobook giant

Best for: Audiobook enthusiasts who want the largest selection and exclusive original content.

Key features:

• 500,000+ titles including Audible Originals.

• Whispersync technology to switch between reading and listening.

• Variable narration speed from 0.5x to 3.5x.

• Clips feature to save and share favorite moments.

• Plus Catalog with unlimited listening to select titles.

Nearly everyone has heard of Audible from Amazon, and for a good reason. It’s a great app that lets you listen to thousands of popular audiobooks as well as Audible originals in your favorite genre and beyond. This app focuses exclusively on audiobooks, which means you’ll get audiobooks of the highest quality possible.

Not to mention, there’s also a variety of features that make the app worthwhile, like the ability to adjust playback speed, bookmark audio content, and set a sleep timer for when you listen to books before bed. 

On Audible, you can browse from the biggest audiobook library out there. Users can also download audiobooks individually or invest in an Audible Premium Plus subscription to receive credits each month that they can use to redeem any audiobook of their choice.

Starting at just $7.95 per month, you can gain access to exclusive audio content in Audible's Plus catalog, such as books and stories narrated by celebrities and notable authors.

6. Chirp: Budget-friendly audiobook deals

Best for: Deal hunters who want to build an audiobook library without subscriptions.

Key features:

• No monthly fees - pay per book only.

• Daily deals with discounts up to 95% off.

• DRM-free downloads you own forever.

• Curated recommendations based on preferences.

• Email alerts for price drops on wishlisted titles.

To the delight of many audiobook lovers, Chirp does not require any subscription fee to access its content. This app is known for its cheap audiobook deals, which means you can find some of the top bestsellers in various genres at low prices.

Chirp offers several limited-time deals that can help you save up to 95% on select titles. After signing up for a free account, users can browse and customize a vast catalog of genres to fit their personal preferences.

Chirp audiobooks also offer ways for users to become involved in book clubs and communities that can grant them access to exclusive podcasts, live events, and author interviews. Consider this app a frugal book lover’s dream!

7. Scribd (Everand): The all-in-one digital library

Best for: Voracious readers who want unlimited access to multiple content types.

Key features:

• Unlimited listening to select audiobooks monthly.

• Access to ebooks, magazines, podcasts, and sheet music.

• Snapshots - curated summaries of non-fiction titles.

• Smart recommendations based on reading history.

• Offline downloads across all content types.

Scribd is certainly not just an audiobook player — it’s a dynamo of an app that can host all your digital content needs. This app may not exclusively offer audiobooks, but it does get the job done.

For a monthly subscription service fee starting at $8.99, Scribd gets you unlimited access to a wide variety of unique digital content. This includes ebooks, newspapers, magazines, and even music. From an article by a top newspaper to the latest bestselling ebook, Scribd can get it for you.

However, this small flaw is overridden by several remarkable features, such as adjusting narration speed and downloading audiobooks for offline listening. The reasonable audiobook prices make this app a must-download for book lovers.

8. LibriVox: Classic Literature for Free

Best for: Classic literature enthusiasts and students studying public domain works.

Key features:

• 50,000+ free public domain audiobooks.

• Volunteer narrators from around the world.

• Multiple versions of popular classics.

• Chapter-by-chapter downloads available.

• No ads or subscription requirements.

LibriVox is an entirely volunteer-run service that offers a selection of free audiobooks that have been registered in the US public domain. From Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ to Leo Tolstoy’s ‘Anna Karenina,’ fans of classic literature can find their favorite books completely free for their listening pleasure.

With unlimited access to over 50,000 titles, LibriVox is a great option for anyone who wants to listen to audiobooks without breaking the bank. Moreover, LibriVox might be the app for you if you’re the type of audiobook listener who needs to have a written copy of the book alongside them as they listen.

In addition, this app also allows users to read the ebook version on their ereader while listening to the audiobook. The app does require a small fee to download — but you can still use the application in your browser for free.

9. Kobo Books: A global alternative

Best for: International readers who want content in multiple languages.

Key features:

• Support for 14+ languages including Asian languages.

• Kobo Plus subscription for unlimited reading.

• Integration with Pocket for article saving.

• Reading Life stats to track your habits.

• Price matching on select titles.

A great alternative to the Audible app, Kobo Books has a vast selection of ebooks and audiobooks to browse through. For a monthly subscription fee of $9.99, you can obtain one free audiobook of your choice.

However, the app itself is free, so you can get a feel of the services before purchasing anything. Kobo Books boasts a simple-to-use platform with expert features designed to make your listening experience easier and more pleasurable.

For example, the app has an extensive search system that lets you use various sorting options to get the audiobook you’re looking for. You can also sync your progress among multiple devices so your page is never lost.

10. Nook: Barnes & Noble's digital platform

Best for: Barnes & Noble members who want to maximize their membership benefits.

Key features:

• Free audiobook each month for B&N members.

• LendMe feature to share books with friends.

• Enhanced editions with author interviews and videos.

• Personalized recommendations from booksellers.

• In-store benefits and exclusive events.

Powered by Barnes & Noble, the Nook reading app is well-known in the community as an ebook store. However, there’s a second app dedicated exclusively to audiobooks — Nook audiobooks.

With this app, you’ll get access to over 100,000 audiobooks that you can listen to right from one place. Some books are even offered at reduced prices, which certainly helps if you’re looking to buy audiobooks on a budget.

Nook audiobooks can be highly personalized to show you some of the best audiobook recommendations that best fit your individual interests. Before you buy, you can listen to a free sample to ensure the audiobook is up to your standards — and after that, the digital content is all yours.

If you’re a regular Barnes & Noble shopper, you’ll certainly be interested in the plethora of apps they offer for book lovers.

Transform your phone into a personal growth machine with Headway

Ready to make every moment count? While traditional audiobooks require hours of commitment, modern life demands smarter solutions. That's why millions choose Headway as one of the best audiobook apps.

It stands out by condensing the world's best non-fiction into powerful 15-minute summaries. With features like progress tracking, daily challenges, and both audio and text formats, you're not just consuming content — you're building lasting knowledge and habits that stick.

Download Headway today to join a community of learners who understand that personal development doesn't mean sacrificing your schedule. With new bestsellers added regularly and personalized recommendations, your next breakthrough is just one summary away!