10+ Best Audiobook Apps

One of the fastest-growing segments in digital publishing, Audiobooks make it easy to enjoy stories on the go. With the rise of top audiobook apps, listening to bestsellers on the go has never been more convenient. Thanks to advanced technology, audiobooks are more accessible today than ever before, which has led to its continuous rise in popularity.

This, in turn, has led to an increase in the demand for professional voice over artists for audiobooks, as a good audiobook narrator makes all the difference between an audiobook being a bestseller (ranking on the top of the list) or getting lost in the crowd.

If you are looking for the best audiobook apps for Android and iPhone, then I have got you covered with this extensive list of free audiobook apps and paid audiobook apps with subscriptions that you can choose from.

Also here are some audio narration tips to help you convey a strong message in society depending on the subject.

However, before we look at these popular apps for audiobooks, here is a quick glimpse at some of the latest audiobook statistics and trends.

What Does the Statistics Say About Audiobooks?

• Audible said it already had about “tens of thousands” of listeners who logged from India into the US website and mobile application to listen to its content. (EconomicTimes),
• Association of American’s Publishers released a report of the audiobooks’ statistics; it witnessed the elevation of 32.1% of revenue, earned by publishers alone from audiobooks. (Businessworld)
• 57% of frequent audiobook listeners are under the age of 45. (Goodereader)
• The audiobook and podcast market is expected to grow by 25 to 30% compared with the overall media and entertainment industry growth of just 4%, globally. (Financialexpress)
• The Audiobook Publishers Association (APA) annual consumer survey shows that 56% of audiobook listeners say that they are making “new” time to listen to audiobooks, and subsequently consuming more books.(Publishingperspectives)

Best Audiobook Platforms You Can Try

1. Audible – Listening is the New Reading

With over 200,000 English and Hindi audiobooks and original titles, including 400 titles by Indian authors, Audible is one of the top-rated audiobook apps. It has the biggest library of audiobooks which includes different genres; classic, fiction, non-fiction, technology, politics, fashion, health & wellness, romance, among others.

Browse through some of my works on Audible.

Audible India comes with a 30-day free trial, at the end of which you need to sign-up for a monthly subscription. It offers easy book exchange and returns. It allows you to listen to unlimited Audible Original shows for free. Most importantly, even if you cancel the membership, you can access all the downloaded audiobooks in your Audible library.

The Audible app is available for download on iOs and Android devices as well as Kindle and other Amazon products (Echo, Tap or Echo Dot). You can also directly listen on your computer via the Audible website. So, don’t wait and download the free Audible app to begin your trial today!

2. Spotify – Free Music/Audiobooks for Everyone

If you are searching for audiobook apps with free books, then Spotify is one of the best options available, especially for beginners.

Spotify is a Sweden-based music streaming platform that also offers its users a good selection of audiobooks. The audiobook app is available for all Android and iOS devices. Its library of books includes biography, popular fiction and non-fiction, storybooks for kids, sci-fi fantasy etc. The wide collection of audiobooks cater to the needs of all age groups; kids, teenagers, young adults, etc.

The best part about Spotify is that you can access the entire audiobook library for free, no subscription needed. Also, for an ad-free experience, you can switch to its premium plan that includes a 30-day free trial.

3. Audiobooks – Signup for a Free Trial and Get 3 Audiobooks Free

While the library of this cloud-based platform is smaller than Audible’s, Audiobooks is still among the most popular audiobook app choices, with over 175,000 titles. The different genres it offers include bestseller fiction & non-fiction, business & economics, classic literature, award-winning drama & comedy, mystery, thriller & horror, foreign language titles and much much more.

This free audiobook app is available for iOS and Android mobile devices, wherein you can live stream audiobooks or download it for offline listening. It also allows its readers to listen to over 1.2 million free podcasts. Click here to learn more about podcast voice over services. What’s more, it offers a free 30-day trial and offers you a flexible premium membership plan that you can cancel at any time.

4. Google Play Books – Home of Your Favourite eBooks and Audiobooks

As a cross-platform option, Google Play Books is often called the best audiobook app for Android, with a huge collection of ebooks and audiobooks. It offers a free preview of audiobooks before you purchase them. It allows you to easily move audiobooks across devices; smartphones, e-readers, desktops and tablets.

This app doesn’t work on any subscription-based model but allows for in-app purchases. It is available for download on iOS and Android devices. Plus, the good thing is, all downloaded audiobooks automatically get sync on all devices that are connected to your Google account, so you can easily pick up where you left.

5. LibriVox – Free Public Domain Audiobooks

One of the best free audiobook apps for India and other countries, LibriVox is perfect for beginners who want to explore public-domain classics before moving to premium subscriptions. Librivox is a non-commercial, non-profit and ad-free project, wherein volunteers from all over the globe contribute recordings, in different languages, to the public domain.

It has a fairly good collection of 15,000 free audiobooks that includes classic, biographies & memoirs, gothic fiction, romance, poetries, and more. Also, users can listen to free audiobooks on their computers, mobile devices (Android & iOS), iPods or even burn it onto a CD.

6. Amazon Kindle Books with Audible

Now you can seamlessly switch from reading ebooks to listening to audiobooks with the Amazon Kindle app. If you already own a Kindle e-reader, then all you need to do is update your Kindle ebook with an Audible audiobook.

Next, the Amazon’s Whispersync for Voice feature will ensure the books that you buy via the Amazon Kindle Store is synced with their audio iteration, thereby providing you with a great option of listening to what you are reading on-the-go.

So get started and purchase a digital audiobook, which you can listen to on Kindle reading app, Kindle devices, Fire tablet, etc.

*On the Kindle App, books that have an audiobook will feature a headphones icon in the upper right corner.

7. Hoopla Digital – Streaming Audiobooks, Music, Video & eBooks

As a digital media service, Hoopla allows you to borrow audiobooks, movies, eBooks music, etc which you can then watch on your mobile devices, desktop PC, tablet or TV. It has a huge collection of hundreds of thousands of titles that you can browse through and choose. It allows you to stream digital content or you can download and watch it offline at leisure.

8. Serial Box – Best Audiobook & eBook App for Science Fiction & Fantasy Series

This is another best app for audiobooks that is free to download and browse. With Serial Box, you get both the audiobook & eBook for one price, which you can listen to or read on your phone, tablet or laptop. What’s more, you can also switch back & forth with a click-of-the-button with their Flow Reader feature.

This audiobook app offers bite-sized stories including but not limited to sci-fi/fantasy, drama, comedy, fiction, non-fiction and more. It also offers you a free preview of nearly all titles, so you can read/listen to the eBooks and audiobooks before you make a purchase.

9. Loyal Books – Free Audiobooks and eBook Downloads

A great option in the free audiobook apps for Android category, Loyal Books offers you a selection of over 7000 audiobooks and eBooks. Apart from the wide range of genres, most of the titles on this platform are available in different languages; English, Hindi, Tamil, French, Urdu and many more.

It offers you an easy search option, wherein you can search for eBooks/audiobooks by title, keywords or author. This free audiobook app is also available for iOS devices. Plus, it offers a preview of titles and allows you to stream online or download them for offline listening.

10. eStories – Discover over 120,000 Audiobooks

With over 120,000 audiobook titles, eStories is the best audiobooks app that can be easily downloaded for Android or iPhone devices. Its vast catalogue includes fiction and non-fiction audiobooks as well as mystery & thrillers, history, young adult books, NYT bestsellers, latest releases and more.

With personalised search, you can easily find your next favourite audiobook, which you can stream or download for offline listening. It can also automatically sync your audiobooks across (up to) 10 devices. eStories audiobook app offers unlimited cloud storage and has a 30 days return policy if you are not satisfied with your purchase.

11. Scribd – Discover the Best eBooks, Audiobooks, Magazines & more

Scribd is an American eBook and audiobook subscription service that offers easy access to over one million titles. The app is available for download on iOS and Android devices. It is the largest digital library, wherein subscribers can read/listen to unlimited eBooks and audiobooks any time, anywhere. However, its collection of audiobooks is pretty small (30,000), when compared to other audiobook apps mentioned in this list.

12. The Libby App by OverDrive – Free eBooks & Audiobooks

With this audiobook app, you can borrow and read eBooks & audiobooks from your local public library for free. From classics to kids stories to NYT bestsellers, you can pick your favourite and listen to it any time you want. Also, apart from streaming content, the Libby app allows for offline download of audiobooks, which you can then listen to on Android/iOS devices or Kindle.

13. Kobo – eBooks, Audiobooks, eReaders and Reading Apps

With more than 5 million titles, this app has a decent library of audiobooks that you can choose from. It offers both paid and free audiobooks for Android and iOS devices. Kobo is similar to Google Play Books and allows for in-app purchases for eBooks, while its audiobook subscription service is similar to Audible.

Free vs Paid App Comparison

Today, audiobook listeners can choose between free apps that focus on accessibility and paid platforms that deliver premium experiences. Both categories have unique strengths, and the decision depends on whether you prioritise cost savings or advanced features.

• Free Apps:

Platforms like Spotify, LibriVox, Libby, Hoopla, Serial Box (Realm), and Loyal Books are excellent starting points for beginners. They offer access to thousands of titles at no cost, from timeless classics to community-contributed recordings and even regional language books. These apps are ideal for casual listeners who don’t mind exploring older titles, public-domain works, or general collections. However, free apps often lack the newest releases, and narration quality may vary since many are volunteer-driven. For example, LibriVox thrives on public-domain classics, while Spotify offers free modern audiobooks alongside music and podcasts.

• Paid Apps:

Services like Audible, Audiobooks, Google Play Books, Scribd (Everand), eStories, Amazon Kindle with Audible, and Kobo focus on providing a professional and curated experience. They have large catalogues, ranging from global bestsellers and exclusive originals to niche genres across languages. Most offer free trial periods (around 30 days) before switching to a subscription or pay-per-book model. The advantages include high-quality narration, offline downloads, personalised recommendations, and seamless syncing across multiple devices. For instance, Audible is known for its unmatched library and Indian author collections, while Google Play Books allows one-time purchases without committing to a monthly plan.

• The Bottom Line

If you are exploring audiobooks for the first time, free apps let you test the waters and enjoy classics or lesser-known works without spending a rupee. But for regular listeners who want the latest releases, consistent quality, and advanced features, paid apps are the clear winner. Many users even combine both, using free apps for casual listening and premium platforms for their must-have titles.

Conclusion

For anyone with a passing curiosity for audiobooks, these free and paid audiobook apps are the best place to start. Most of these apps come with a free trial, so you can pick one after giving each one a try. To experience professional narration, you can listen to some of my Audible titles, including Kashmir The Vajpayee Years, Learning How To Fly, and Speaking: The Modi Way.

FAQs

Which is the best audiobook app in India?

The best audiobook app for Indian users is typically Audible, thanks to its massive catalogue, regional language options, and free trial. However, Scribd and Google Play Books are also strong choices depending on needs.

Are there any free audiobook apps available for Android and iOS?

Yes, apps like LibriVox, Hoopla, and Libby are among the most reliable free audiobook apps that Indian readers can access. They offer public-domain classics, kids’ books, and popular titles without subscription costs.

Can I listen to audiobooks offline with these apps?

Almost all top audiobook apps allow offline downloads. Audible, Scribd, and Google Play Books offer seamless syncing across devices, while free apps like Libby also allow temporary offline access from library loans.

Do audiobook apps in India offer free trials before subscribing?

Yes, many audiobook apps with free trials are available. Audible offers 30 days, Scribd gives 30 days, and Audiobooks also allows free titles. Trials help users compare services before committing to subscriptions.

What are the benefits of audiobooks?

The biggest benefits of audiobooks include multitasking convenience, improved listening comprehension, accessibility for the visually impaired, and exposure to professional narration. They also make it easier to enjoy more books without extra screen time.

Do audiobooks help with speech?

Yes, audiobooks can improve speech and pronunciation. Listening through the most popular audiobook app exposes you to professional narration, pacing, and tone, which helps strengthen vocabulary and spoken fluency.

Do all apps support all languages?

Not all, but some of the best audiobook platforms support several languages. Audible and Google Play Books include regional Indian languages, while free apps like LibriVox primarily offer English and other global classics.

Are any audiobooks available on YouTube?

Yes, YouTube has a growing collection of free audiobooks, but they are often limited to classics or user-uploaded versions. If you are looking for the best audiobook platforms, dedicated apps offer higher-quality and neo-classic content.