20 Best Free Audio Book Apps Without Subscription 2026

Reading written material is a thing of the past, thanks to audiobook apps.

These apps have simplified information consumption, allowing you to listen to audiobooks on your phone at home, at work, or on the go.

Some of the most popular audiobook apps include LibriVox, Kobo Books, Spotibooks and others.

However, the best free audiobook app is Everand. It offers great features with over a million free audiobooks in various genres. 

More About Audiobook Apps 

These audiobook apps offer plenty of great features, including:

• Free, full-length audiobooks for streaming or downloading
• Audio material in different genres
• Some of the popular genres include mystery, fiction, education, non-fiction, biographies, myths, and kids’ stories.
• Multiple output formats for your downloads (AAC, MP3, WMA, and more)
• Premium quality content across devices
• Features like audio converters to convert content to format you like

Let’s now look at the apps.

Best Free Audio Book Apps Without Subscription

1. LibriVox

LibriVox features free audiobooks from genres like poetry, children’s fiction, short stories, and action & adventure. It is compatible with PCs, Android, and iOS devices.

LibriVox brings volunteers from all over the world together. These volunteers are tasked with reading and recording texts to create audiobooks. It contains plenty of audiobooks that you can download to your devices and listen to in your free time.

The app is rated highly on Google Play and the App Store. It allows you to search by title, author, subject/genre, language, or reader. When you visit the site, you can choose to volunteer or browse its catalog for audiobooks.

All its short stories, poems, books, and plays on the site are public domain. You don’t need to generate an account with LibriVox to start browsing its catalog.

LibriVox lets you find your titles and download them right away in MP3 format. The app is host to over 15,000 audiobooks, 8,000 of them from the non-fiction, poetry, and novel genres. It also has about 2,000 non-English content.

Besides proofreading and listening to audiobooks, you can also contribute to LibriVox’s success by designing book covers or creating audio M4B files for the eBooks. The audio files are not available for streaming.

LibriVox also has a forum for authors and readers to communicate.

2. Kobo Books

Kobo Books is another excellent audiobook, podcast, and eBook app. It offers notable features like switching from audiobooks to eBooks, CarPlay support, and more.

It also comes with customization features to help you adjust the text size and style, night mode, annotation features, and multiple language support for a more personalized experience.

The app allows users to post favorite notes, quotes, and thoughts to social media platforms. It has a free version with a large audiobook catalog. Besides its Android and iOS app, it also has a free desktop app for book reading.

Its search bar customizes your audiobook search by author, ISBN, title, or series. The popular, trending, recommended for you, and best of the month lists are also available to hasten your search.

As you browse the app and listen to your favorite audiobooks, the app will start showing similar content on your homepage.

Kobo has many genres, including fiction, non-fiction, biography & memoir, romance, business & finance, kids, fiction & literature, science fiction & fantasy, and mystery & suspense.

For a broader search, just filter titles by length, category, language, and format.

Kobo has plenty of audiobook topics, including economics, drama, job hunting, LGBT, animals, comics, horror, sports, saga, and more.

The app is easy to use, and allows you to output your audiobooks in MP3 and MP4 formats.

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3. Hoopla Digital

Hoopla Digital is Midwest Tape’s digital service. It provides media and entertainment content to various public libraries in North America.

You’ll access free eBooks, audiobooks, TV shows, movies, and more from over 1,500 libraries on this site. Genres include modern classics, children’s books, fiction, and more.

You can download audiobooks from your iPhone, iPad, and Android with this app.

Hoopla is like a public library that allows you to borrow free audiobooks with a library card.

Once you create an account, you can log in and start borrowing audiobooks right away. Browse and click on the audiobooks to select from the list.

They have almost 60,000 audiobook titles, which you can filter to narrow results by language, date, user rating, format, and more. Click on titles for detailed information, then tap the borrow function to stream or download the book.

Remember, you’re only allowed to borrow audiobooks for a limited time. The books will be removed automatically when you’re done listening. You also have a limit on how many books you’ll check out at a time.

Do note that most Hoopla content is licensed to the U.S and Canada only.

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4. Gutenberg: Classic Books

Gutenberg Classic Books offers educational resources and classic literature in audiobook form. Established in 1971, it’s among the oldest digital libraries available.

Like LibriVox, it relies on volunteers who upload their audiobooks and eBooks. It hosts over 60,000 free audiobook titles, which you can access without creating an account.

Use a PC or Android device to download the app and browse content. There’s a complete list of audio content you can listen to.

Most of them are streaming-ready. Not all content is in audiobook form. Some audiobooks here are digital renditions voiced by computers, while some are read by authors/volunteers.

The audiobooks are available in various formats, including eBooks.

5. Loyal Books

Loyal Books is owned by Twist Idea LLC. It’s a free audiobook app, and is best-suited for kids’ books and classic titles. It was established to create a fun reading experience for users by offering free books.

It allows you to stream and download content from your Android, iOS, and PC. The major genres found here are fantasy, fiction, mystery, and kids.

The platform is an excellent resource for free public domain eBooks and audiobooks. The Loyal Books website lets you download the app and browse popular genres and languages from the list. You can search by author, keyword, or title for more refined results.

It has a simple, intuitive user interface. You can create your own local reading library from the massive audiobooks available. It has over 7,000 free books, which you can download or stream directly.

Each of their books is reviewed by readers. The ones featured will be displayed on the dashboard. It also has a top charts section to view audiobooks trending in various categories.

For a seamless listening experience, the app offers a playback function with an adjustable speed. You can easily translate the audiobooks into 25 other languages.

When you find the title that interests you, click on it to stream or download it in your preferred format. No need to have an account in order to browse content here.

The reviews from other users will help you find the right content quickly.

6. English Story with audios

English Story with audios is one of the best free audio apps that provides numerous stories with an audio and transcription.

This application is what you need after a long day of work, as it contains tons of soothing audio stories to keep you engrossed for hours on end.

The stories are narrated in a fascinating fashion, such that, you won’t stop listening until you hear all of it.

If your child enjoys fairy tales, this is the app to get them. More importantly, English learners can use the app to improve their learning. The speaker and dictionary function makes understanding of unfamiliar words a piece of cake.

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7. Apple Books

Apple Books is the default audiobook and book app for Apple iOS devices. It is meant for iPad and iPhone users as it comes already installed on Apple devices. You can listen to your audiobooks for free at any time.

Content on this platform is grouped by genre. Use the search function to find the particular audiobooks you want.

The app also has an excellent narrator, which allows you to filter books according to the voiceover artist. This means that you’ll listen to audiobooks from popular celebrity narrators.

Some audiobooks from iBooks feature digital booklets. The app allows you to download or stream your content.

You can also control the books’ playback speed.

8. Everand: ebooks & Audiobooks (Formerly Scribd)

Everand was known as Scribd earlier.

It is a user-friendly audiobook app with over 10 million downloads. It contains a catalog with over a million free audiobooks, which it syncs across multiple devices. Users can adjust their audio books’ narration speed.

The app has a vast collection of audiobook titles, including The Alchemist, The Exorcist, and more.

It lets you download audiobooks for offline use. You can enjoy premium audiobooks for a month for free.

Everand is renowned for its user-friendliness. You are free to download or stream your audiobooks.

Among the audiobooks available are multiple options of genres that your kids will love to listen to.

9. Libby, By Overdrive

Libby is an audiobook app for mobile users. It is free and compatible with various mobile gadgets.

Designed by OverDrive developers, this platform is popularly used by Forbes, BuzzFeed, Reader’s Digest, Lifehacker, and other platforms.

The Libby app is user-friendly and supports online and offline audio listening. All your audio files will be synced into a cloud platform for easy access.

The app has a library containing thousands of audiobooks. You can use the content lists or browse its library to search for content. It also has a guide that will help you find audiobook titles easily.

Its audiobook player has a 3x playback speed that is adjustable and can swipe to skip backward or forward. It also sets a sleep timer. To use the app, you need a card from the local library.

It has a very functional user interface and is free. However, Libby doesn’t have a desktop client.

10. Audiobooks Now

Audiobooks Now is an excellent free audiobook app. It has over 150,000 audiobooks, and 1,000 of them are free. Among them are classic titles and bestsellers from renowned authors and narrators.

The app provides a seamless listening experience for users. You can stream audiobooks directly or download them for offline listening.

Download the Audiobooks Now app on Google Play or the Apple store and download as many audiobooks as you want. Your downloaded material will be saved in the cloud and synced across every device you own.

The app lets you create your own bookmarks and store the audiobooks that interest you. It supports CarPlay, which lets you play your audiobooks in your car while driving.

The app was created by the same folks who founded BookLender.com.

11. Bookmate: Books & Audio

Bookmate is an audiobook app featuring eBooks in 12 languages.

By creating a free account, you’ll access over 50,000 audiobooks. The app has a unique feature, smart suggestion, which allows access to the audiobooks library created by other users.

The user library is like a social platform. You follow other users and get to know the audiobooks they recommend. Share your library to let them in on what you like.

Bookmate recommends audiobooks based on your taste. When streaming or browsing audio content, it follows your interests to present you with suggestions of prospective titles you may like.

By saving quotes from your favorite books, audiobooks, quotes, bookmarks, and other aspects of your audiobook collection, you’ll be able to manage your personal library better.

This app is customizable, allowing you to adjust the narration speed, colors, fonts, set timers, and much more. If you’re an author with personal audio content, you’re free to upload it here for others to listen and rate you.

12. Audiobooks.com: Books & More

Audiobooks.com offers plenty of audiobooks to download or stream. It features narration speed adjustment, a customizable sleep timer, and a bookmarking tool. The time intervals of the audio content range from 15 to 90 minutes.

The free audiobooks have titles such as Star Trek, Art of War, Black Thursday, etc. It also features audio materials for kids, such as Peter Pan, Snow White, and more.

Developed by RB Audiobooks USA LLC, the app is fast, easy to use, and popular. Audiobooks.com has been featured in The New York Times and Forbes.

It contains more than 250,000 audiobooks and 10,000 of them free. You can filter your search by genre to find the audio content you need. Genres include history, health & wellness, mystery, fiction, and politics, among others.

Audiobooks.com lists all the trending audiobooks to help you find the audiobooks that other users listen to. Its smart recommendation tool automatically picks a book that may interest you.

Besides free audiobooks, this app also has over 100 million free podcasts. You can  also set a notification on the app to let you know when a new podcast has arrived.

13. Spotibooks

Spotibook offers free music and audiobooks for all.

It has a library with books in fiction, kids’ storybooks, sci-fi, biography, and fantasy. Other genres include classic literature, plays, and short stories.

Whether you’re a child, teenager, or a young adult, Spotibook has audiobooks for all age groups. The good thing with Spotibook is that you have exclusive access to its audiobook library at no cost and without a subscription.

To access your free audiobooks on Spotibook, you’ll need to create a free account. It’s easy to use, and you’ll find your favorite books fast with the search function.

Spotibook has a playlist with hours of free recordings on popular titles like Great Expectations, Pride and Prejudice, and so much more.

Once you get your favorite title, just click for instant streaming. The download function is not available though.

14. Smart Audiobook Player

Smart AudioBook Player is a specialized app designed specifically for audiobook playback, offering features tailored to the unique needs of audiobook listeners.

The app is free to download and use, though it operates on a freemium model with a 30-day trial of the full version.

Some of its notable features include playbook speed control, classification of books into categories like new, started, and finished, multiple time skip options, and selectable chapters.

The app also offers practical functionality like motion-sensing automatic shut-off that pauses playback when it detects the phone isn’t moving, making it ideal for bedtime listening.

It has no ads and maintains independent progress tracking for multiple books simultaneously, allowing users to switch between audiobooks without losing their place.

While the basic version provides essential playbook controls, premium features like percentage completion tracking require the paid upgrade.

15. Google Play Books & Audiobooks

Google Play Books offers both free and paid audiobook options. The free section includes public domain titles and occasionally promotional content from publishers.

However, most popular and recent audiobooks require purchase or rental. The app integrates seamlessly with Android devices and offers features like adjustable playback speed, bookmarking, and cross-device synchronization.

While the app itself is free, accessing premium audiobook content requires individual purchases rather than a subscription model.

The platform benefits from Google’s ecosystem integration, allowing users to access their library across multiple devices including smartphones, tablets, and smart speakers.

Google Play Books also offers competitive pricing on individual audiobook purchases and frequently features sales and discounts on popular titles.

16. Lit2go

Lit2go is completely free and is operated by the University of South Florida. It focuses primarily on classic literature and educational content, offering over 150 public domain audiobooks and eBooks.

The platform is designed with educators and students in mind, providing additional resources like reading strategies and lesson plans.

All content is available without registration or payment, making it an excellent resource for classic literature enthusiasts and educational purposes.

The audiobooks are professionally narrated and include helpful features like chapter navigation and downloadable transcripts.

Teachers particularly value the accompanying educational materials and lesson plans that make it easy to incorporate these classics into curriculum, while students appreciate the accessibility and quality of the recordings.

17. LearnOutLoud

LearnOutLoud offers both free and paid audiobook content. The free section includes public domain titles, sample chapters, and educational content.

The platform specializes in educational and self-improvement audiobooks, featuring lectures, courses, and learning materials. While basic access is free, premium content and full-length audiobooks typically require purchase.

It’s particularly valuable for lifelong learners seeking educational audio content. The platform has been operating since 2004 and has built a reputation for curating high-quality educational audio content from universities and expert instructors.

LearnOutLoud is known for its diverse range of topics from business and technology to history and philosophy, making it a comprehensive resource for continuing education and professional development.

18. Fabuly: Classic Audiobooks

Fabuly focuses specifically on classic literature and is generally free to use.

The app offers a curated collection of timeless works in audiobook format, often featuring public domain titles that don’t require licensing fees.

It provides a clean, simple interface designed for enjoying classic literature without distractions.

The app includes some premium features or ad-free experiences through in-app purchases, but core functionality remains free.

The platform stands out for its minimalist design that prioritizes the listening experience over flashy features.

The app has a careful selection of classics and the quality of narration, though some note that the library is smaller compared to comprehensive audiobook services that cover all genres.

19. Chirp Books

Chirp Books is an audiobook app powered by BookBub that launched in 2019 and is available in the U.S. and Canada.

Unlike subscription services, it operates on an à‑la‑carte model, there’s no monthly fee. You simply pay for each audiobook you want, which then permanently belongs to you.

The app delivers handpicked, limited-time deals, some discounted by up to 95%, which you can receive via email or browse directly in the app.

You can stream or download purchased audiobooks for offline listening. It offers features like sleep timers, variable playback speed, chapter navigation, Bluetooth support, and smart speaker compatibility.

Chirp also includes a free audiobook selection that is updated regularly, often with about six new titles added every Friday and up to 25 free audiobooks available on any given day.

Overall, Chirp Books is considered a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional audiobook subscription services.

20. Audiobooks HQ

Audiobooks HQ is an audiobook app developed by Inkstone Software that offers access to a vast library of both free and paid audiobooks without requiring a subscription.

The app itself is free to download and includes around 100,000 to 120,000 free audiobooks, primarily public-domain classics from sources like LibriVox and Podiobooks.

In addition to these, users can also purchase hundreds of thousands of premium titles on a pay-per-book basis.

The app supports streaming and downloading for offline listening and includes features like playback speed control, sleep timers, and chapter navigation.

One unique feature is its inclusion of a massive collection of old-time radio dramas, with tens of thousands of episodes available.

It also supports accessibility features like VoiceOver, making it suitable for users with visual impairments.

Audiobooks HQ is a strong option for those seeking a large selection of classic audiobooks and flexible listening features at no cost.

In Conclusion

If you are an audiobook enthusiast, these free audiobook apps will feed your curiosity. These apps contain great book collections to give you plenty of genres to choose from.

The fact that each app has a distinct set of free audiobooks to download or stream makes it even more exciting to explore.

Having your own library with a wide variety of audiobooks takes all the boredom away. While you learn a lot with each audiobook you listen to, you will also be building a lot of knowledge and inspiration.

Who knows? The material you consume from these apps may become your ultimate ticket to a brighter and more enlightened future.

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