by Yusra » 05 Feb 2025, 05:27
Audiobooks bring stories to life and let us enjoy books while doing other things, but their prices can add up quickly. Let's explore how to access audiobooks affordably or even without spending any money at all.
Your local library: a treasure trove of free audiobooks
Many people don't realize that public libraries have moved beyond physical books. Most now offer digital services including audiobooks through apps like Libby or Overdrive. All you need is a library card, which is usually free if you live in the area. These services let you borrow audiobooks just like physical books, but they return automatically – no late fees to worry about!
Making the most of free trials
Major audiobook services like Audible, Scribd, and AudiobooksNow offer free trial periods, usually lasting 30 days. During this time, you typically get one or two free audiobooks to keep forever, even if you cancel. While you shouldn't sign up for trials just to cancel them, they're a great way to test different services and find the one that works best for you.
Subscription services compared
If you listen to lots of audiobooks, a subscription might save you money in the long run. Audible's monthly credits system works out cheaper than buying audiobooks individually, especially for longer books. Scribd offers unlimited listening for a flat monthly fee, though some popular titles may be restricted during peak times. Consider how many books you typically listen to each month when choosing a service.
Free audiobook platforms
Several platforms offer free audiobooks legally. Librivox provides free recordings of books in the public domain, read by volunteers. While the quality varies, some narrators are excellent, and you can find many classics here. Spotify also includes some audiobooks in its regular subscription, particularly classic literature and poetry.
Finding special offers and deals
Audiobook prices fluctuate significantly. Services like Chirp specialise in daily deals, offering steep discounts on selected titles. Following audiobook services on social media or signing up for their newsletters helps you catch these deals. Some services also offer annual subscriptions at a discount compared to monthly payments.
Sharing with family
Many audiobook services allow family sharing. Audible's Family Library sharing lets you share your audiobooks with one other person, effectively halving the cost per book. Some library apps also allow multiple family members to borrow different books using the same library card.
Making smart purchasing decisions
To get the most value from audiobooks, consider the length of books when using credits or choosing what to buy. A 20-hour history book offers more listening time than a 3-hour novel for the same price. Also look for collections and omnibus editions that include multiple books for one credit.
Alternative listening options
Podcasts can sometimes fill the audiobook gap, especially for non-fiction topics. Many authors now release their work as serialized podcasts, and some podcasts offer long-form storytelling similar to audiobooks. These are usually free and supported by ads.
Taking advantage of package deals
Some ebook purchases include the audiobook at a reduced price through "Whispersync" or similar features. If you enjoy both reading and listening, this can be more economical than buying them separately. Amazon also sometimes offers free or discounted audiobook versions when you buy certain Kindle books.
The best approach for different listening habits
For occasional listeners, using library apps and free services might be enough. Regular listeners might save more with a subscription service. Very frequent listeners might benefit from combining multiple approaches using library services for most books and buying only special titles they want to keep.
Remember that you don't have to stick to just one method. Many experienced audiobook listeners combine different approaches: borrowing from libraries, using subscription services for new releases, and catching special offers for books they want to own. The key is finding the right mix that gives you plenty to listen to without stretching your budget.
The world of audiobooks becomes much more affordable when you know where to look. Whether through your local library's digital services, free platforms, or smart use of subscriptions and deals, there are plenty of ways to enjoy audiobooks without spending a fortune. Take some time to explore different options and find what works best for your listening habits and budget.
Audiobooks bring stories to life and let us enjoy books while doing other things, but their prices can add up quickly. Let's explore how to access audiobooks affordably or even without spending any money at all.
[b][size=150]Your local library: a treasure trove of free audiobooks[/size][/b]
Many people don't realize that public libraries have moved beyond physical books. Most now offer digital services including audiobooks through apps like Libby or Overdrive. All you need is a library card, which is usually free if you live in the area. These services let you borrow audiobooks just like physical books, but they return automatically – no late fees to worry about!
[b][size=150]Making the most of free trials[/size][/b]
Major audiobook services like Audible, Scribd, and AudiobooksNow offer free trial periods, usually lasting 30 days. During this time, you typically get one or two free audiobooks to keep forever, even if you cancel. While you shouldn't sign up for trials just to cancel them, they're a great way to test different services and find the one that works best for you.
[b][size=150]Subscription services compared[/size][/b]
If you listen to lots of audiobooks, a subscription might save you money in the long run. Audible's monthly credits system works out cheaper than buying audiobooks individually, especially for longer books. Scribd offers unlimited listening for a flat monthly fee, though some popular titles may be restricted during peak times. Consider how many books you typically listen to each month when choosing a service.
[b][size=150]Free audiobook platforms[/size][/b]
Several platforms offer free audiobooks legally. Librivox provides free recordings of books in the public domain, read by volunteers. While the quality varies, some narrators are excellent, and you can find many classics here. Spotify also includes some audiobooks in its regular subscription, particularly classic literature and poetry.
[b][size=150]Finding special offers and deals[/size][/b]
Audiobook prices fluctuate significantly. Services like Chirp specialise in daily deals, offering steep discounts on selected titles. Following audiobook services on social media or signing up for their newsletters helps you catch these deals. Some services also offer annual subscriptions at a discount compared to monthly payments.
[b][size=150]Sharing with family[/size][/b]
Many audiobook services allow family sharing. Audible's Family Library sharing lets you share your audiobooks with one other person, effectively halving the cost per book. Some library apps also allow multiple family members to borrow different books using the same library card.
[b][size=150]Making smart purchasing decisions[/size][/b]
To get the most value from audiobooks, consider the length of books when using credits or choosing what to buy. A 20-hour history book offers more listening time than a 3-hour novel for the same price. Also look for collections and omnibus editions that include multiple books for one credit.
[b][size=150]Alternative listening options[/size][/b]
Podcasts can sometimes fill the audiobook gap, especially for non-fiction topics. Many authors now release their work as serialized podcasts, and some podcasts offer long-form storytelling similar to audiobooks. These are usually free and supported by ads.
[b][size=150]Taking advantage of package deals[/size][/b]
Some ebook purchases include the audiobook at a reduced price through "Whispersync" or similar features. If you enjoy both reading and listening, this can be more economical than buying them separately. Amazon also sometimes offers free or discounted audiobook versions when you buy certain Kindle books.
[b][size=150]The best approach for different listening habits[/size][/b]
For occasional listeners, using library apps and free services might be enough. Regular listeners might save more with a subscription service. Very frequent listeners might benefit from combining multiple approaches using library services for most books and buying only special titles they want to keep.
Remember that you don't have to stick to just one method. Many experienced audiobook listeners combine different approaches: borrowing from libraries, using subscription services for new releases, and catching special offers for books they want to own. The key is finding the right mix that gives you plenty to listen to without stretching your budget.
The world of audiobooks becomes much more affordable when you know where to look. Whether through your local library's digital services, free platforms, or smart use of subscriptions and deals, there are plenty of ways to enjoy audiobooks without spending a fortune. Take some time to explore different options and find what works best for your listening habits and budget.
