Audiobooks are a fantastic way to consume stories and knowledge on the go. While premium services like Audible and Scribd dominate the market, several free audiobook apps offer a great listening experience without breaking the bank. Here’s a list of the top free audiobook apps in 2025 including their key features, pros and cons, and hidden limitations.
1. Libby (by OverDrive)
Best for: Borrowing audiobooks from public libraries
Key Features:
✔️ Borrow audiobooks for free using a library card
✔️ Syncs across devices (Android, iOS, Kindle, web)
✔️ Offline listening & customizable playback speed
Pros:
✅ 100% free with a library card✅ No ads✅ Access to a vast collection of audiobooks
Cons:
❌ Requires a participating library membership❌ Limited copies of popular books, so you may need to wait
Platform Availability:
📱 Android | 📱 iOS | 💻 Web
Hidden Limitations:
Some books may have a borrowing limit (e.g., 14 days).
Limited to what your library offers.
2. Librivox
Best for: Classic literature lovers
Key Features:
✔️ Free public domain audiobooks (classics, fairy tales, philosophy)✔️ Read by volunteers worldwide✔️ Unlimited listening with no subscription
Pros:
✅ Completely free with no hidden costs✅ Available in multiple languages✅ Large collection of classic books
Cons:
❌ Narration quality varies (volunteer-based)❌ Limited to older books (no modern titles)
Platform Availability:
📱 Android | 📱 iOS | 💻 Web
Hidden Limitations:
No bestsellers or new books—only public domain titles.
3. Spotify (Audiobooks & Podcasts)
Best for: Casual listeners looking for a mix of audiobooks & music
Key Features:
✔️ Free & premium audiobooks available✔️ Includes podcasts & music in one app✔️ Custom playlists and recommendations
Pros:
✅ Huge selection of free and premium content✅ Works well for multi-tasking (music + books)✅ Offers audiobook previews
Cons:
❌ Free users get limited access to audiobooks❌ Advertisements in the free version
Platform Availability:
📱 Android | 📱 iOS | 💻 Web
Hidden Limitations:
Most full audiobooks require a premium membership.
4. Bookdio
Best for: Learning life lessons through audiobook summaries
Key Features:
✔️ Free audiobook summaries of popular books✔️ Quick, engaging lessons for busy readers✔️ Covers self-improvement, business, and more
Pros:
✅ Saves time—learn key takeaways in minutes✅ Free access to audiobook summaries✅ Helps develop daily reading habits
Cons:
❌ Not full audiobooks, only summaries❌ Limited collection compared to full audiobook services
Platform Availability:
📱 Android | 📱 iOS | 💻 Web
Hidden Limitations:
If you prefer full-length audiobooks, this might not be the best fit.
5. YouTube
Best for: Finding free audiobooks, especially classics and public lectures
Key Features:
✔️ Thousands of free audiobooks, including classics & indie books✔️ Works on any device with YouTube access✔️ Some publishers & authors offer free audiobooks
Pros:
✅ Completely free with no login required✅ Easy access to a variety of audiobook genres✅ Allows video captions for additional support
Cons:
❌ Frequent ads unless you have YouTube Premium❌ Hard to organize or bookmark long audiobooks
Platform Availability:
📱 Android | 📱 iOS | 💻 Web
Hidden Limitations:
Some audiobook content is unauthorized, so it may get removed.
6. Apple Books (for iOS users only)
Best for: iPhone & iPad users looking for free audiobooks
Key Features:
✔️ Free and paid audiobooks available✔️ Apple-curated collections✔️ Works with Siri for hands-free control
Pros:
✅ No ads in the free section✅ Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem✅ High-quality narration
Cons:
❌ Only available on Apple devices❌ Limited selection of free audiobooks
Platform Availability:
📱 iOS | 💻 Mac
Hidden Limitations:
Free audiobooks are mostly public domain works.
7. Hoopla
Best for: Free audiobooks with no wait time (library card required)
Key Features:
✔️ Instant access to audiobooks, no holds✔️ Also offers movies, eBooks, comics, and music✔️ Offline listening available
Pros:
✅ Free with a library card✅ No waiting lists for popular books✅ High-quality narration
Cons:
❌ Requires a participating library membership❌ Monthly borrowing limits (varies by library)
Platform Availability:
📱 Android | 📱 iOS | 💻 Web
Hidden Limitations:
Some libraries have a monthly checkout limit (e.g., 5 titles per month).
Free vs. Premium Audiobook Apps: Which One to Choose?
Feature | Free Apps (Libby, Librivox, Bookdio, etc.) | Premium Apps (Audible, Scribd, etc.) |
Cost | ✅ Free (often with ads/library access) | ❌ Paid (subscriptions or per book) |
Book Selection | ❌ Limited (public domain, classics, indie books) | ✅ Huge selection (bestsellers, new releases) |
Audio Quality | ❌ Varies (volunteer narrations) | ✅ Professional-grade narration |
Offline Listening | ✅ Available (in most cases) | ✅ Available |
Ads | ❌ Some apps have ads | ✅ Ad-free experience |
Exclusive Content | ❌ Rare | ✅ Many exclusives |
Verdict:
If you love classics and don’t mind ads, free apps like Libby, Librivox, and Bookdio are great options.
If you want bestsellers, new releases, and exclusive content, a premium app like Audible or Scribd is worth the investment.
For quick learning, Bookdio is an excellent choice as it delivers audiobook summaries with key lessons.
Final Thoughts
Free audiobook apps provide a great alternative to paid subscriptions, especially if you're open to public domain books or library-based borrowing. For those who want quick insights and knowledge, Bookdio is a perfect addition to your daily routine.
