I’ve always been a big reader. Give me a good book and a quiet afternoon, and I’m happy. But between work, kids, activities, and everything else that comes with adulthood, finding time to sit down and read has become a lot harder than it used to be.

That’s where audiobooks come in.

Whether you’re driving kids to school, walking the dog, folding laundry, working out, or tackling a long road trip, audiobooks make it possible to enjoy great books when you don’t have time to sit down with a physical book.

The good news? You don’t have to spend a fortune on audiobooks. There are plenty of ways to listen to free audiobooks, and there are more alternatives to Audible than ever before.

If you’re looking for free audiobook apps, free audiobooks through your library, or the best Audible alternatives, here are my favorite ways to listen without breaking the bank.

As a bookseller with an independent bookstore, I’m always looking for affordable ways to help people read more books. My personal strategy is to check Libby first, Hoopla second, and then purchase through Libro.fm when I can’t find a title elsewhere.

How to Listen to Free Audiobooks: The Best Free Audiobook Apps and Audible Alternatives

Table of Contents

• Best Free Audiobooks Through Your Library
• Best Completely Free Audiobook Websites
• Best Audible Alternatives
• Best Free Audiobooks for Kids
• How to Get Free Audiobooks Through Your Library
• What Is the Best Free Audiobook App?
• FAQ About Free Audiobooks
• Final Thoughts

Best Free Audiobooks Through Your Library

Before you spend money on an audiobook, check your local library first. Libraries offer one of the best ways to listen to free audiobooks legally, and many have extensive collections that include bestsellers and new releases.

Libby

Libby has become my favorite free audiobook app. All you need is a library card from a participating library, and you can borrow audiobooks, ebooks, and magazines directly from your phone or tablet.

Pros

• Completely free with a library card
• Easy-to-use app
• Large selection of audiobooks and ebooks
• Available on phones, tablets, and computers

Cons

• Popular titles often have waitlists

Hoopla

If your library offers Hoopla, you’re in luck. Unlike Libby, many titles are available instantly without a waitlist. Hoopla also includes movies, TV shows, music, comics, and ebooks.

Pros

• Instant borrowing on many titles
• Huge selection of content
• Easy streaming and downloads

Cons

• Not all libraries participate
• Monthly borrowing limits vary by library

BorrowBox

BorrowBox is another library audiobook platform that’s becoming increasingly popular. Like Libby, it allows library patrons to borrow audiobooks and ebooks for free using a library card.

Pros

• Free with participating libraries
• User-friendly app
• Great audiobook selection

Cons

• Availability depends on your library system

Best Completely Free Audiobook Websites

If you’re looking for free audiobook downloads without a subscription, these websites offer thousands of public-domain audiobooks.

LibriVox

If you’ve ever searched for free audiobooks online, you’ve probably come across LibriVox. LibriVox offers thousands of public-domain audiobooks recorded by volunteers from around the world. You’ll find everything from classic literature to poetry and historical works.

Pros

• Completely free
• Mobile apps available
• Thousands of classic audiobooks

Cons

• Narration quality varies by volunteer
• You miss out on the popular narrators

Project Gutenberg

Project Gutenberg is best known for free ebooks, but it also offers a growing collection of audiobooks.

Pros

• Huge library of classic literature
• Completely free
• No subscription required

Cons

• Most titles are older public-domain books

Internet Archive

The Internet Archive houses thousands of free audiobooks, old radio programs, lectures, and spoken-word recordings.

Pros

• Massive collection
• Free downloads available
• Unique and hard-to-find recordings

Cons

• Search function can be overwhelming

Loyal Books

Loyal Books specializes in free public-domain audiobooks and makes browsing by genre easy.

Pros

• Easy navigation
• Large collection of classic books
• Download or stream

Cons

• Mostly older titles

Open Culture

Open Culture curates hundreds of free audiobooks along with online courses, movies, and educational content.

Pros

• Well-organized collection
• Includes fiction and nonfiction

Cons

• Some links direct to outside sources

Digitalbook.io

Digitalbook.io combines free audiobooks and ebooks into one searchable platform.

Pros

• Large catalog
• Easy search tools

Cons

• Audiobooks and ebooks are mixed together

The Best Audible Alternatives

If you’re trying to move away from Amazon or simply want more value for your money, there are several excellent Audible alternatives worth considering. I typically go for Libro.fm if there is a new book that I really want to listen to and I don’t have the patience to wait for it on Libby or Hoopla.

Libro.fm

If you’re looking for the best alternative to Audible, Libro.fm is my top recommendation. What I love most about Libro.fm is that purchases support independent bookstores instead of Amazon. The experience is very similar to Audible, but your money helps local bookstores continue to thrive. New members can also receive a free audiobook when signing up through promotional offers.

Pros

• Supports independent bookstores
• Audiobook credits never expire
• DRM-free audiobook purchases
• Frequent promotions and free audiobook offers

Cons

• Membership pricing is similar to Audible

Chirp

Chirp is perfect for bargain hunters.

Instead of paying a monthly subscription fee, you purchase audiobooks individually at deeply discounted prices. It’s common to find audiobooks for just a few dollars.

Pros

• No subscription required
• Frequent discounts
• Great deals on bestselling titles

Cons

• You don’t get monthly credits

Everand

Formerly known as Scribd, Everand offers access to audiobooks, ebooks, magazines, and more through a single subscription.

Pros

• Large audiobook library
• Access to multiple content formats
• Unlimited-style reading and listening

Cons

• Monthly subscription required

Spotify Audiobooks

Many Spotify Premium users don’t realize their subscription now includes audiobook listening hours. If you’re already paying for Spotify, this can be a great way to listen to audiobooks without adding another subscription.

Pros

• Included with many Premium plans
• Convenient if you’re already using Spotify

Cons

• Listening hours may be limited

Best Free Audiobooks for Kids

Looking for free audiobooks for children? These are excellent resources for keeping kids engaged and reading throughout the year.

Storynory

Storynory offers fairy tales, educational stories, myths, and original stories for kids.

Pros

• Completely free
• Great for younger children

Cons

• Smaller library than adult-focused services

Your Local Library

Don’t overlook your library’s children’s audiobook collection. Libby and Hoopla both offer extensive selections for kids and teens.

How to Get Free Audiobooks Through Your Library

Getting free audiobooks through your library is easier than ever.

1. Get a library card from your local library.
2. Download Libby, Hoopla, or whichever app your library uses.
3. Sign in using your library card number.
4. Browse and borrow audiobooks just like physical books.

If you’re unsure which app your library uses, check your library’s website or ask a librarian. They are usually happy to help.

What Is the Best Free Audiobook App?

The best free audiobook app depends on your needs.

• Best overall: Libby
• Best for instant borrowing: Hoopla
• Best for classic literature: LibriVox
• Best Audible alternative: Libro.fm
• Best audiobook deals: Chirp

Personally, I check Libby first, Hoopla second, and then Libro.fm if I decide to purchase an audiobook.

Are Audible Alternatives Better Than Audible?

For many readers, yes.

Audible still has one of the largest audiobook catalogs available, but there are now several strong competitors. If supporting independent bookstores matters to you, Libro.fm is an excellent alternative. If saving money is your goal, library apps like Libby and Hoopla often provide access to the same audiobooks completely free.

The best strategy is often a combination of all three: use your library first, watch for deals on Chirp, and purchase through Libro.fm when you can’t find a title elsewhere.

FAQ About Free Audiobooks

How can I get free audiobooks legally?

The easiest way to get free audiobooks legally is through your local library. Many libraries offer free access to audiobook apps like Libby, Hoopla, and BorrowBox. You can also listen to free public-domain audiobooks through websites like LibriVox, Project Gutenberg, Internet Archive, and Loyal Books.

What is the best free audiobook app?

For most readers, Libby is the best free audiobook app because it connects directly to your library card and offers access to thousands of audiobooks, ebooks, and magazines. Hoopla is another excellent option, especially if your library participates and offers instant borrowing without waitlists.

What are the best alternatives to Audible?

Some of the best Audible alternatives include Libro.fm, Chirp, Everand, Spotify Audiobooks, Libby, and Hoopla. Libro.fm is especially popular among readers who want to support independent bookstores rather than Amazon.

Is Libro.fm better than Audible?

That depends on your priorities. Audible has a larger catalog, but Libro.fm offers a very similar listening experience while supporting independent bookstores. Many readers prefer Libro.fm because audiobook purchases help local bookstores instead of Amazon.

Can I listen to audiobooks for free through my library?

Yes! Many libraries offer free audiobook borrowing through Libby, Hoopla, or BorrowBox. All you need is a library card from a participating library.

Do Amazon Prime members get free audiobooks?

Amazon Prime members occasionally have access to audiobooks through Prime Reading and Amazon Music, but the selection is much smaller than Audible’s catalog. If you’re looking for free audiobooks, your local library will usually provide more options.

Are free audiobooks legal?

Yes. Library audiobook apps, public-domain audiobook websites, and promotional audiobook programs all provide legal ways to listen to free audiobooks. Always use reputable sources rather than unauthorized downloads.

Can I download free audiobooks to my phone?

Yes. Most audiobook apps, including Libby, Hoopla, BorrowBox, and LibriVox, allow you to download audiobooks directly to your phone or tablet for offline listening.

What is the best way to listen to new release audiobooks for free?

Checking Libby and Hoopla should always be your first step. Many libraries purchase new release audiobooks, although there may be a waiting list. If you can’t find a title through your library, watch for promotional offers from Libro.fm or discounted audiobook deals through Chirp.

Final Thoughts

If you’re trying to listen to more books without spending a fortune, there has never been a better time to be an audiobook listener.

Between Libby, Hoopla, LibriVox, Project Gutenberg, Libro.fm, Chirp, Spotify Audiobooks, and other Audible alternatives, you can easily find thousands of free audiobooks and affordable audiobook options.

My personal strategy is simple: check the library first, look for discounts second, and only purchase when I can’t find a free option.

That’s helped me listen to far more books each year while spending significantly less money.