If you're looking for a full list of ways to find free audiobooks that you'd normally have to pay for, you probably won't find it on this list. Instead, I've compiled 11 completely legal and free ways to find free audiobooks online.
Where to Find Free Audiobooks Online
When you start looking for free audiobooks online, it won't be long before you start coming across less-than-reputable websites. Some may actually require you to enter payment information while others provide access to pirated content. Still, there are several websites and apps that you can use to listen to and/or download free audiobooks legally. Among them are LibriVox, Project Gutenberg and Spotify.
HooplaDigital
Major Genres: Modern Classics, Fiction, Children's
Best For: New Releases and Variety
Platforms: App (iOS and Android), Computer (download and stream)
Hoopla is the digital service of Midwest Tape, which is a leading provider of entertainment and media to public libraries across North America. You'll find free audiobooks, e-books, movies, TV shows and more available from more than 1,500 libraries. You can visit the website or download the app to get started. At the time of writing, the app had a 4.8 rating on the App Store and a 4.7 rating on Google Play. When I checked out the service, I used the desktop version from my laptop.
OverDrive
Major Genres: Biography, Young Adult, Fiction, Literature
Best For: New Titles, Multiple Platforms
Platforms: App (iOS and Android), Computer (download and stream)
OverDrive also provides access to free audiobooks and e-books through your local public library or school. That means you'll need to enter your library card number or school/work email address in order to access free titles with this resource. Once you've signed in, you'll need to save the names of all libraries where you have borrowing privileges, so that you can see the entire selection available to you.
You can access OverDrive on your computer or as an app on your iOS or Android device. In addition to the OverDrive app (which has a 4.6 rating on both Google Play and the App Store), you can also download the Libby app for iOS or Android. It's owned by the same company, provides access to the same titles and also has an average rating of 4.6. According to OverDrive's website, the Libby app is the easiest way to get started, but if you have a device that's not compatible with Libby, you can use the OverDrive app for a similar experience.
LibriVox
Major Genres: Children's Fiction, Action & Adventure, Poetry, Short Stories
Best For: Public Domain Texts, Poems, Short Stories
Platforms: App (iOS and Android), Computer (download)
LibriVox brings together volunteers worldwide to read and record public domain texts in order to create audiobooks. You can download the files to your computer and listen to them that way, or you can download the app for your iOS or Android device. The app has an average rating of 4.7 stars between the App Store and Google Play.
Project Gutenberg
Major Genres: Classic Literature, Educational Resources
Best For: Public Domain Titles, Multiple Formats
Platforms: App (Android) Computer (stream)
Project Gutenberg was founded in 1971, making it one of the oldest digital libraries. The website relies mostly on volunteers to upload digital files including e-books and audiobooks. At the time of writing, there were more than 60,000 free titles available, and you don't have to create an account to access them.
When I checked out Project Gutenberg, I visited the website on my computer. You can also download the app on your Android device; it has an average rating of 4.1 on Google Play. Unfortunately, there isn't a version available for iOS.
While the website focuses on e-books, many of the titles you'll see are available as audiobooks as well. You can see a complete list of audiobooks on this page. Once you've found a title you'd like to listen to, you can click on it to see a list of files available for streaming. As I clicked through the titles, I found that most of them were available for streaming online, but none were available to download. Additionally, some audiobooks are read by volunteers/authors while others are digital renditions "voiced" by computers.
Digitalbook
Major Genres: Fiction, Classics, History
Best For: Finding Something New
Platforms: Computer (download and stream)
Digitalbook.io is a great resource for finding free audiobooks, e-books and podcasts. While there isn't currently an available app for either iOS or Android devices, the website is extremely easy to navigate. You can search for a title directly from the homepage, scroll down to see top-rated and trending books or browse by genre.
Once you find a book you'd like to listen to, you can click the play button on the book's cover image to begin streaming. You can also click "Free audiobook" on the right-hand side of the screen, next to the title, to download the free audiobook file. Note that some files are available only from third-party providers (like Gutenberg or LibriVox), but you'll still be able to download them on Digitalbook.io.
Learn Out Loud
Major Genres: Education, Biography, Literature, Self-Development
Best For: Educational Resources
Platforms: Computer (download and stream)
Learn Out Loud is a resource that specializes in audio and video learning. In addition to audiobooks, you'll find courses, documentaries, podcasts and more. Unfortunately, not all of the content is available for free.
Internet Archive
Major Genres: Classic Literature, Poetry, Philosophy
Best For: Variety
Platforms: Computer (download and stream)
Internet Archive has an entire section dedicated to audiobooks and poetry. At the time of writing, there were more than 20,000 titles included in the collection. While there isn't currently an app available, you can visit the website online and get started without having to create an account.
Open Culture
Major Genres: Fiction, Poetry, Classic Literature
Best For: Finding a Specific Title
Platforms: Computer (download and stream)
Open Culture is a little different from some of the other resources on this list because it compiles free audiobook files from across the internet. Once you've found a title you'd like to listen to, you'll be redirected to another site (like LibriVox or Loyal Books) that offers the file for free. Still, you'll find a list of more than 1,000 free titles.
Loyal Books
Major Genres: Kids, Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery
Best For: Classic Titles, Kids' Books
Platforms: App (iOS and Android), Computer (download and stream)
Loyal Books is another great resource for finding free public domain audiobooks as well as e-books. On this website, you can choose to stream audiobooks or download the files to your device. You can also download the Loyal Books app for iOS or Android. It has a rating of 4.4 on the App Store and 4.5 on Google Play.
Storynory
Major Genres: Fairy Tales, Classic & Original Stories
Best For: Kids
Platforms: App (iOS and Android) Computer (download and stream)
Storynory is a great resource that offers a variety of free audio stories exclusively for kids. You can download the Stornory app on your tablet or phone or visit the website online. The app has a 4.8 rating on the App Store and a 4.5 rating on Google Play, but I used my computer to access the online version.
Spotify
Major Genres: Classic Literature, Short Stories, Plays
Best For: Spotify users
Platforms: App (iOS and Android), Computer (stream)
When you think of Spotify, free audiobooks probably aren't your first thought. Still, you'll be surprised to know that there is a selection of audiobook recordings available to Spotify users with free accounts. Of course, that means you will have to create an account if you don't already use Spotify.
I logged in on my computer, but you can also check out the Spotify app for iOS and Android devices. Between the App Store and Google Play, reviewers give the app an average of 4.6 stars. Personally, I thought the website was also easy to use if you'd rather log in on a laptop or computer.
When I started searching for free audiobooks, I immediately stumbled across this Spotify playlist that includes nearly 67 hours of free recordings. I saw popular titles including "The Great Gatsby," "Pride and Prejudice," "Great Expectations" and more. Once you find a title you're interested in listening to, simply click it to begin streaming instantly. Unfortunately, downloads aren't currently available.
Final Thoughts
To see what's available at your local public library, be sure to check out HooplaDigital and OverDrive using your library card. For general public domain texts, try LibriVox, Internet Archive, Project Gutenberg and Loyal Books.
No matter where you decide to listen to/download free audiobooks, just make sure you're doing it legally and safely. While you may have to disable your ad blocker online or enter your library card number to create a free account, you shouldn't have to download any software or enter any payment information.
What are your favorite websites for finding free audiobooks online? Let us know in the comments below!
More Ways to Find Free Entertainment:
- 10 of the Best Websites for Free Online Games
- 12 of the Best Places to Watch Free Movies Online
- 12 of the Best Places to Find Free Music Downloads
[ This article was originally published on Clark.com ]
The post 11 of the Best Places to Find Free Audiobooks appeared first on Clark Howard.