Audiobooks’ needs and popularity have grown rapidly, thanks to the technology we are using in this era, There is something unique about Audiobooks, The stories bought to life by adding charismatic voice texture to various characters by professional actors are so realistic that the user gets instantly connected. You can lean into the stories by simply lying down with your eyes closed. Without any doubt, we can say Audiobooks are our mobile friends.
Audiobooks are a bit expensive when compare to eBooks or print books, Below is the list of applications for free online Audiobooks, which will overcome spending and help you build your library.
1. Spotify
The online music streaming giant hosts a range of Audiobooks and also produces its own high-quality professional Audiobook series. Both lists contain works in the public domain.
Spotify also has numerous short story podcasts featuring works from around the world, so it’s worth checking the Spotify search bar for an author or story that interests you. A good starting point is a podcast 1001 Classic Short Stories and Tales. Just sign up for your Spotify account for free and listen to all Spotify content.
2.LibriVox
Volunteers make all LibriVox recordings. so, audio quality may vary and certain voices or accents can be difficult to understand if your first language isn’t English. LibriVox is a non-profit service that offers a range of free Audiobooks with a mission to access more Audiobooks and has been a prominent leader in recording public domain books.
If you find difficulty navigating their website, you can even access their YouTube channel, they upload their recordings there. And, if you wish to volunteer, you can even read a book yourself!
3. Audible
Well, we understand that not everyone feels like reading the classics. If you’re looking for contemporary Audiobooks or a specific title that’s not in the public domain, Amazon’s Audible has a variety of professionally annotated books. While it’s typically a paid service, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial that includes free access to Audiobooks and goodies like Audible’s fictional podcasts plus a selection of free Audiobooks for Alexa users.
4. Lit2Go
Lit2Go is a free collection of public domain books by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology. The Lit2Go collection includes classic children’s books like The Story of Doctor Dolittle, The Secret Garden, Peter Pan, and Little Women.
Adults do have plenty of options, with some classics like Dracula, Great Expectations, Moby Dick, and Wuthering Heights.
5. Audiobooks.com
Audiobooks.com is another paid service but comes with a generous trial offer which includes access to 3 free Audiobooks. Similar to Audible, an ideal one if you’re looking for specific contemporary releases or if you’re not particularly fond of the classics. The Audiobooks are voiced by experts with professional quality, so no matter what you choose from the library, the chances are hard to go wrong.
6. BBC Sounds
BBC Sounds is a new free app from the BBC. It is now home to its radio channels radio shows, podcasts, and even Audiobooks. The BBC has an association with Britain’s most prolific actors to deliver drama for their radio channel and is now expanding to offer free Audiobooks with abridged editions. Guaranteed assurance of an absolutely high-quality listening experience.
7. Rakuten Kobo
Rakuten Kobo’s list of Audiobooks works similarly to other subscription services and is quite extensive, so you’ll likely find what you’re looking for here. Like Audible, it’s usually a paid service, but a free trial can get you a high-quality free Audiobook, so it’s worth a try! Just remember to cancel your subscription before you’re billed.
8. Open Culture
Open Culture has done all the compilation for you, A long list of free Audiobooks is available on the web. Because of this, you’ll see some overlap with the public domain books, but your list is so incredibly useful that it will surpass them.
9. Learn Out Loud
Learn Out Loud mission is to provide free educational multimedia content, and since 2005 they’ve been doing a great service. They offer over 3,000 free Audiobooks and if you feel great with your listening ability, you can even check out the largest directory of audio and video content: in addition to Audiobooks, it also includes speeches, lectures, courses, etc.
10. All You Can Books
All You Can Books is also a paid service. As similar to Audiobooks.com, Audible, and Rakuten Kobo, However, by signing up for a 30-day free trial, you can consume as many (approximately 40,000) Audiobooks as you can, there are no restrictions, except for the new releases. There are drawbacks, as many of the reviewers claim that they faced trouble while canceling the trial and were subsequently charged for failing to cancel the subscription, along with poor customer service.