In this article, we will take a look at the 12 best alternatives to audible. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to the 5 Best Alternatives To Audible.
Global Audiobooks Industry: An Overview
Audiobooks have gained massive popularity over the years. Audiobooks offer flexibility enabling the users to enjoy them at any time while multitasking. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global audiobook market was valued at $6.82 billion. The global audiobook market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.3% from 2023 to 2030 and reach $35.04 billion by the end of the forecasted period.
One of the most notable trends in the global audiobook industry is the use of artificial intelligence. The integration of AI into the audiobook industry is expected to change service delivery for both the audiobook providers and consumers. Artificial intelligence facilitates converting written manuscripts into audio form. The ease and relatively lower cost of creation have eased the barriers to entry, especially for amateur authors tapping into a new industry. The surge in the popularity of using artificial intelligence for audiobooks has led to the emergence of various platforms including DeepZen. The company specializes in AI voice solutions that transform text into audio content that is rich with emotion and has the rhythm of a natural voice. The company offers services for audiobook production which can be created with just a fraction of the cost and time needed in traditional production.
In 2022, North America was the most dominant region in the global audiobook industry. The region accounted for a revenue share of over 45%. The presence of large audiobook providers in the region and access to smartphones were the main factors for its large share in the global market. The Middle East and Africa region is expected to have the fastest growth of 31.9% during the forecasted period. The penetration of audiobooks is expected to grow as the proliferation of online payments and accessibility to smartphones increases in the region. The availability of audiobooks in local languages is also expected to add to the growth of the region in the global market. You can also check out the 33 Best Selling Books of 2023.
Notable Players and Distribution Channels
Segment-wise, the one-time download segment dominated the global audiobook industry. The segment accounted for 54% of the market share in 2022. The one-time download distribution channels allow the user to buy and download their favorite titles to listen to at their convenience. However, the subscription-based segment is anticipated to grow the fastest at 27.6% during the forecasted period. Some of the most notable players in the global audiobook industry include Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN), Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), and Spotify Technology SA (NYSE:SPOT). These prominent names in the industry use different distribution channels to meet the demands of their users.
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12 Best Alternatives To Audible
Our Methodology
To make our list of the best alternative to Audible, we have used a consensus approach. We consulted more than 10 rankings online that listed the best alternatives to audible. We extracted the names that appeared in 50% of our sources. We then ranked our items based on the average customer star rating and total number of reviews across the App Store and the Google Play Store. The average customer star rating is our primary metric and the total number of reviews is our secondary metric. The list has been arranged in the ascending order of the average customer star rating and the secondary metric has been employed as a tiebreaker. It is important to note that we have only considered items with total reviews of more than 100,000 and a customer star rating of at least 4.5. Furthermore, the number of reviews and customer star ratings are prone to change over time. The data we have collected is based on search results on March 19, 2024.
12 Best Alternatives To Audible
12. Barnes & Noble NOOK
Average Customer Star Rating: 4.5
Total Number of Reviews: 279,300
The Barnes & Noble NOOK is a popular eReader and tablet series offered by Barnes & Noble. The app had an average rating of 4.5 across our sources. The app has an extensive collection of eBooks, digital comics, newspapers, and magazines.
11. Kobo
Average Customer Star Rating: 4.5
Total Number of Reviews: 306,500
Kobo is one of the best alternatives to audible. The Kobo app has been designed to enhance the reading experience for book lovers. Kobo has a vast library of millions of titles including audiobooks.
10. Everand
Average Customer Star Rating: 4.5
Total Number of Reviews: 635,300
Everand is a platform that offers a wide selection of eBooks and audiobooks. Everand provides a personalized reading experience with a subscription model. The platform enables subscribers to access new titles every month including the platform’s original publications.
9. Audiobooks.com
Average Customer Star Rating: 4.55
Total Number of Reviews: 107,200
Audiobooks.com is one of the best alternatives to audible. The users can enjoy classics, bestsellers, and new releases on the go through the Audiobooks.com app. The app has been designed to deliver a seamless listening experience. The platform also allows users to stream or download audiobooks for listening in various settings.
8. Storytel
Average Customer Star Rating: 4.55
Total Number of Reviews: 447,300
Storytel is a Stockholm-based e-book and audiobook subscription service. Storytel was founded in 2006. The platform offers a wide selection of audiobooks and eBooks. Storytel has expanded its services globally with listeners across the globe enjoying audiobooks on the platform. It is one of the best alternatives to Audible.
7. Google Play Audiobooks
Average Customer Star Rating: 4.6
Total Number of Reviews: 3,000,000
Google Play Audiobooks offers a wide selection of audiobooks that can be enjoyed on various devices. The platform allows users to download audiobooks over Wi-Fi. Google Play Audiobooks provides a variety of features including adding and removing bookmarks.
6. CloudLibrary by Bibliotheca
Average Customer Star Rating: 4.65
Total Number of Reviews: 213,500
CloudLibrary by Bibliotheca is a digital library app that provides users with access to a wide range of eBooks and audiobooks. It is one of the best alternatives to audible. The platform offers easy downloads and curated selections of audiobooks which enhances the overall listening experience for users.
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Disclosure: None. 12 Best Alternatives To Audible is originally published on Insider Monkey.