What each audiobook service offers and how they differ

Audiobook subscriptions fall into three main models: all-you-can-listen plans where you pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to a catalog; credit-based systems where you buy a set number of credits per month to purchase individual titles; and library-based services that tie to your local library card. The differences matter because they change what you pay per book, which titles are available to you, and whether you own what you listen to or lose access when you cancel.

The largest all-you-can-listen service is Scribd, which charges a flat monthly fee for access to its full catalog of audiobooks, ebooks, magazines, and podcasts. Audiobooks Plus and Audiobooks.com Plus (owned by the same company) also offer unlimited listening for a monthly rate. Audible, owned by Amazon, uses a credit system: you pay a monthly subscription fee and receive a set number of credits to spend on audiobooks, which you then own permanently. Libro.fm works similarly to Audible but directs a portion of your subscription fee to independent bookstores you choose. OverDrive and Libby are free apps that connect to your public library card and let you borrow audiobooks for a set lending period, usually two to three weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • All-you-can-listen services charge a monthly fee for unlimited access to a full catalog, while credit-based services charge monthly for a fixed number of audiobooks you purchase and keep.
  • Library-based services through OverDrive or Libby are free but have wait lists for popular titles and lending periods of two to three weeks.
  • Audible and Libro.fm let you keep audiobooks permanently once purchased, while Scribd and similar services remove access if you cancel your subscription.
  • Catalog size and title availability vary significantly by service, and not all new releases appear on every platform at the same time.
  • Your choice depends on how many audiobooks you listen to per month, whether you want to own titles, and whether you value supporting independent bookstores.

Monthly cost and how many audiobooks you get for the price

Scribd charges a single monthly rate (the exact amount varies by region and changes periodically) for unlimited access to all audiobooks in its catalog. You can listen to as many titles as you want without additional charges. Audiobooks Plus and Audiobooks.com Plus charge a similar flat monthly fee for unlimited listening.

Audible's standard plan includes one credit per month, which you use to purchase one audiobook at full retail price (typically $15 to $25 per title). If you want to buy additional audiobooks beyond your monthly credit, you pay full price. Libro.fm works the same way: one credit per month, full retail price for extras. Both services also offer plans with more credits per month at higher subscription rates.

Library services cost nothing, but you borrow rather than buy. You can hold multiple titles at once, but each has a lending period (usually 14 to 21 days) and a wait list if the library owns only one or two copies. If you don't finish within the lending period, the book is automatically returned and you must borrow it again to continue.

Ownership: keeping books after you cancel

With Audible and Libro.fm, audiobooks you purchase with credits are yours to keep. If you cancel your subscription, you retain access to every title you bought. You can read them to your device and listen offline indefinitely. This matters if you listen to the same books multiple times or want to build a permanent collection.

With Scribd, Audiobooks Plus, and similar all-you-can-listen services, you do not own the audiobooks. Your access depends on your active subscription. If you cancel, you lose the ability to listen to every title in the service, even ones you listened to many times. You can export your library list so you know what you had, but you cannot listen to the files themselves.

Library services through Libby and OverDrive also do not result in ownership. Once the lending period ends or you return the book, you lose access. However, you can borrow the same title again at any time if the library still owns it.

Catalog size and which titles are available

Audible has the largest audiobook catalog, with over 750,000 titles. Scribd's catalog is smaller but still substantial. Audiobooks Plus and Audiobooks.com Plus have fewer titles than Audible but more than some smaller services. Libro.fm uses the same catalog as Audiobooks.com, so title selection is identical.

New releases and bestsellers may not appear on all services at the same time. Publishers sometimes negotiate exclusive windows with specific platforms, meaning a new release might be available on Audible for several weeks before appearing on Scribd or library services. Library catalogs depend on what your specific library has purchased, which varies widely by location and library budget.

Niche, backlist, and independently published audiobooks are more likely to be on Audible than on subscription services. If you listen to a lot of indie or self-published work, Audible's larger catalog may matter more to you.

How to listen and read offline

All major audiobook services have mobile apps for iOS and Android. Audible, Scribd, Audiobooks Plus, Libro.fm, Libby, and OverDrive all let you read audiobooks to your phone or tablet so you can listen without an internet connection. read limits vary: some services let you read as many titles as you want, while others cap the number of simultaneous downloads.

If you use a dedicated audiobook device like a Kobo Elipsa or certain e-readers, check whether the service you're considering works with that device. Audible works with most devices. Scribd and library services have more limited device compatibility. Libro.fm works with most apps that support the standard audiobook format, giving you more flexibility than Audible's proprietary system.

Library cards and free access through OverDrive and Libby

OverDrive and Libby are free apps that connect to your public library card. You sign in with your library card number and PIN, and you can borrow audiobooks, ebooks, and magazines from your library's collection. Libby is the newer app and has a simpler interface; OverDrive is the older platform that Libby is gradually replacing, though both still work.

The main limitation is wait lists. If your library owns only one copy of a popular audiobook, you may wait weeks or months to borrow it. Lending periods are fixed (usually 14 to 21 days) and the book is automatically returned when the period ends, even if you're in the middle of listening. You can renew a title if no one else is waiting for it.

Some libraries also offer access to other audiobook services through their digital collections. Ask your library whether they provide Hoopla (which offers unlimited borrows with no wait lists) or other premium services as part of your library card. This varies by library system.

Supporting independent bookstores

Libro.fm is the only major subscription service that directs a portion of your subscription fee to independent bookstores. When you sign up, you choose a bookstore to support. A percentage of your monthly subscription and any audiobook purchases go to that store. If you care about supporting local independent bookstores, Libro.fm is the only subscription option that does this. Audible, Scribd, and other services do not have this feature.

The trade-off is that Libro.fm's catalog is the same size as Audiobooks.com's, which is smaller than Audible's. If title selection is your priority, Audible has more options. If supporting independent bookstores matters to you and you're willing to accept a smaller catalog, Libro.fm is the only subscription service built for that purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch between services without losing my library?

No. Audiobooks purchased on Audible stay on Audible; titles borrowed through Libby are tied to your library card. If you switch services, you start a new library on the new platform. You can export a list of titles you've listened to from most services, but you cannot transfer the audiobooks themselves.

Do I need to commit to a long-term contract?

Most audiobook subscriptions are month-to-month with no contract. You can cancel anytime. Some services offer discounted annual plans if you pay upfront, but you are not required to commit to a year. Library services through Libby and OverDrive have no subscription at all—they're free with a library card.

What happens if I don't use my monthly credit on Audible?

Unused credits typically roll over to the next month, but the rollover policy varies by subscription plan. Check your plan details or Audible's terms. Some plans allow unlimited rollover; others cap how many months credits can accumulate. If you cancel your subscription, unused credits are forfeited.

Can I listen to the same audiobook on multiple devices at once?

Most services allow you to listen on one device at a time per account. If you try to play the same title on two devices simultaneously, the service will stop playback on one of them. Some family plans allow multiple simultaneous streams, but standard individual subscriptions do not.

Are there family or group plans that cost less per person?

Audible offers a family plan that lets multiple people share one subscription with separate libraries and listening histories. Scribd does not currently offer a family plan. Library services are free and already shareable—anyone with a library card can use Libby or OverDrive. Check your specific service's website for current family plan options, as these change periodically.