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Audiobooks have become an extremely popular way to “read” books.
You have a handful of solid choices if you’re looking to get started.
However,unlike music streaming, the pricing of these services is all over the board.
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What’s the cheapest?
Listen to Audiobooks for Free
Libby
Let’s start with thefree options for audiobooks.
First, you should know that your local librarydoesn’t just have physical books.
Libby
Most libraries these days are connected to OverDrive, which is a service for eBooks and audiobooks.
TheLibby app from OverDrivegives you access to audiobooks fromlibraries in your area.
All you need is a free library card.
LibriVox
One thing to keep in mind is the typical library rules also apply to Libby.
LibriVox
LibriVoxis a free audiobook service specifically for books that are in the public domain.
The library is around 50,000 audiobooks, and they’re all old enough to be in the public domain.
NaturalReader
If you love classics, this is a nice option.
DIY
The last free method requires a little more work on your part.
The one big catch to this method is its essentially just text-to-speech.
Audible
You’re also limited to which eBooks you candownload without DRM.
You’ll need to purchase additional credits for audiobooks not included in the Plus catalog.
You don’t get access to a catalog of books; it’s more like a discount plan.
Kobo
Kobo doesn’t share numbers on how many audiobooks are in its catalog.
It claims to have a catalog of “millions” of titles, but around 200,000 are audiobooks.
You don’t get to keep audiobooks in your library forever, they’re rented.
Scribd
Subscription plans are your best option if you want cheap audiobooks.
Without a subscription, a single audiobook title can cost anywhere from around $10 to $25.
Related:Spotify vs. Audible: Which Is Better for Audiobooks?