The popularity of audiobooks has steadily increased over the last few years. It’s not hard to see why. Audiobooks make it easier for busy book lovers to enjoy their favorite stories while doing other tasks — for example, while you’re commuting, working out, or doing the laundry at home.
Audiobooks can be a game-changer for college students looking to enhance their learning experience. No matter how packed your schedule is, you can always fit in a good book with the right audiobook subscription. We recommend checking out our list of audiobooks for college students and the best podcasts for college students.
Today we want to tell you about the top five audiobook subscription services and apps that we think are perfect for every type of listener.
These are the best audiobook subscription services that are currently available – and we will tell you exactly why you should give them a try:
1. Audible
Audible is probably the most well-known audiobook subscription service—and for good reason. Audible is owned by Amazon and offers a very large library of audiobooks spanning every genre.
You’ll find the newest bestsellers, releases, podcasts, and even Audible Originals that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.
Audible works with a monthly subscription model where you pay a flat fee for one or two credits per month (depending on your plan). Each credit gets you one audiobook, no matter what the book costs. You can always buy extra credits or audiobooks at a discounted price if you need more.
Why Audible is Great
One of the best things about this audiobook subscription is the huge volume of content you can access — over 200,000 titles, many of which are exclusive to Audible. This means that whatever book you’re searching for, you’ll likely find it on Audible. Many books are read by well-known and professional voice artists, meaning their narration quality is excellent.
Another benefit is that you can keep your audiobooks forever, even if you cancel your subscription. This way, you can build your library over the months and then enjoy those audiobooks in the following months or years, even when you no longer pay for the subscription.
2. Scribd
Scribd is kind of like Netflix for reading. It’s an audiobook subscription service that gives you unlimited access to audiobooks, eBooks, magazines, and even sheet music. You pay one flat monthly fee and get access to a huge library of content. This unlimited audiobook subscription is a great value deal, especially if you enjoy different media types (and consume a lot of it).
Why Scribd is Great
Scribd’s catalog is extensive. You’ll find a wide range of audiobooks that span various genres. Whether you’re into thrillers, romance, non-fiction, or something else entirely, you will find something here that catches your interest.
There’s even a personalized recommendation feature based on your reading and listening habits to discover new favorites.
The most significant overall benefit of Scribd is that it’s an unlimited audiobook subscription. Unlike other services, which limit users to a certain number of audiobooks per month, Scribd lets users listen to as many audiobooks, eBooks, magazines, songs, etc., as they like.
This might be worth it if you go through multiple audiobooks a month.
3. Audiobooks.com
Let’s discuss another strong contender for the best audiobook subscription service: Audiobooks.com.
Like Audible, Audiobooks.com is a subscription model where you get one credit per month to exchange for any audiobook from their library. The library has 150,000 titles to choose from. The app is user-friendly and has extra features like offline listening, speed control, and custom bookmarks. As a new subscriber, you can start with a free 30-day trial, which includes one free audiobook.
Why Audiobooks.com is Great
One of the best things about Audiobooks.com is its app. It’s intuitive and packed with features that can make your listening experience customized to your needs. The free trial is also a great way to test the service and get a feel for the app before committing to a paid subscription.
4. Google Play Books
Google Play Books offers a unique approach to audiobooks. Users can purchase titles individually rather than through a subscription. It’s a pay-as-you-go model. This is great for anyone who doesn’t want to commit to a monthly fee but still wants to be able to access audiobooks whenever the desire arises.
The pricing is pretty straightforward: you pay for each audiobook you want to listen to. Often, you’ll find discounts and deals on certain audiobooks, so you can snag a great book at a lower price.
Why Google Play Books is Great
The biggest strength of Google Play Books is the flexibility. If you’re someone who doesn’t listen to audiobooks very frequently, this service is ideal. It also allows you to own your books completely rather than just rent them.
With this service, you only pay for what you want, when you want it, and without any pressure to listen to a certain number of books each month.
Another bonus is the integration with Google services. This means that your purchases are stored in your Google account and are accessible across all your devices. You can easily sync them with Google Assistant so you can pick up where you left off no matter where you are or what device you’re using.
5. Chirp
Chirp takes a different approach. Just like Google Play Books, there is no need for a subscription. Instead of paying a monthly fee, you can buy audiobooks at deeply discounted prices — they can be up to 95% off the regular price.
Chirp focuses on offering deals on popular titles, enabling you to expand your audiobook library without overspending on books. This provides you with the opportunity to declutter your shelves and create a minimalist library at home.
Why Chirp is Great
Chirp is all about value. If you’re looking for a way to listen to audiobooks at just a fraction of the cost, then Chirp is the service to go with. They regularly update their deals, so you can always find something new and interesting to listen to.
You don’t have to commit to a monthly subscription, so it’s great if you’re not a regular listener.
Another great feature is that once you buy an audiobook on Chirp, it’s yours to keep forever. You can listen to it as many times as you would like.
Find The Best Audiobook Subscription for YOU
Each one of the audiobook subscription services and apps we’ve told you about today offers something unique and valuable. The choice of which is the best audiobook subscription service and which one you would like to go with is up to you and what you prioritize.
If you care about having access to the biggest library, maybe you’d like to go with Audible. If you want unlimited access to as many titles as you want each month, then Scribd might be right for you. And if you’d rather have a pay-as-you-go model that syncs across all your devices, then go with Google Play Books.
You’ll find bargain deals that nobody else can beat on Chirp, and Audiobooks.com will give you a user-friendly experience that makes listening to your favorite stories easy and enjoyable.
Make use of any free trials you can find, and then choose the service that fits your lifestyle best.
Feel free to read our articles showcasing more useful apps and services that could be beneficial for you: Best Book Apps, Best Apps for College Students, Best Price Comparison Apps and Tools for Shopping, and Best Dating Apps for College Students.
