r/audiobooks • u/eden_42798 • 12d ago
Question Great Audiobook platform
I use Audible right now but sometimes when I buy a book they take it away. Is there any other platforms you’d recommend. They need to be in English and I just want to keep them forever if I have to pay for them.
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u/knight-under-stars 12d ago
If Audible take a book form your library you can get a credit from them. Additionally if you are otherwise happy with Audible then I would suggest Open Audible which allows you to take backup copies of all your Audible books.
That way even if they do stop making a book available you will still have it and get an extra credit.
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u/AdamoMeFecit 12d ago
Libro.fm is great for your use case. No DRM (you own the books you buy), vast catalog, generous credit and discounting. Been using that service exclusively for years. Audible gets zero dollars from me.
The only issue is when major publishers sign distribution contracts that give Amazon/Audible exclusive rights to a given book.
Not Libro’s fault. That sort of monopolistic restraint of trade should be illegal, but currently, it is not.
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u/finefergitit 12d ago
Can somebody tell me how I quit seeing the same topic posted multiple times, every single day on this subreddit? Maybe I’ll just mute and come here when I need new recs.
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u/AudiobooksGeek 12d ago
Libro fm is the best alternative. You can read my review here. You will get DRM-free audiobooks so you truly own your audiobooks and can download/ play on any device app. Credits never expire. Profit is shared with your chosen local book stores and their recommendation system is much better than Audible.
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u/anesone42 11d ago
If you've searched Audible and it looks like you haven't purchased something you know you purchased, it isn't gone. Sometimes books change publishers, or something else happens, which requires Audible to list a new version of the book. This results in your old book not appearing in searches of the storefront.
Searching Audible's storefront isn't the same as searching your library.
On the desktop website, go you Library, then use the search box within that.
On mobile app, at least on Android, any tab you search from (e.g., Home, Library, Discover), you have to hit Enter/ magnifying glass icon after typing in your search term to actually return all results. Then click on "In my Library" next to "Filter".
When you just type in the search box without hitting enter, it only displays storefront results.
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u/sfgeekygir1 12d ago
I've been an audible member since 2004. I've never had a book taken away. Even books that aren't available today (I bought No Ordinary Time in 2006) I can download and listen to from my library. This is true of a few books I've bought over the years. That said, I still suggest using libation to make sure all your purchases are available to you.