Is there a way to download free audiobooks?
The Allure of Free Audiobooks
Audiobooks have exploded in popularity in recent years, with the market estimated to be worth over $3.5 billion globally as of 2020 (Grandview Research, 2022). There are several key factors driving the appeal of free audiobooks specifically:
First and foremost is the cost savings. Purchasing audiobooks, especially from leading providers like Audible, can quickly become expensive. Subscription services generally cost $10-15 per month, and buying audiobooks individually can cost $20 or more each. The ability to access free audiobooks provides significant savings for avid listeners.
Convenience is another major factor. Free audiobooks from sources like libraries and promotional giveaways allow users to easily try out new books and authors without commitment. This makes it less intimidating to explore new genres and expand one’s interests.
Free audiobooks also facilitate discovering exciting new books and authors that a listener may not otherwise encounter. Without the cost barrier, people can sample a wider variety of titles and may find unexpected new favorite reads. This is part of the addictive thrill of free audiobooks.
Overall, the promise of major cost savings, convenience, and discovery has driven free audiobooks into the limelight for many book lovers.
Legal Sources for Free Audiobooks
There are several legitimate ways to access free audiobooks without resorting to illegal downloading. Many public libraries now offer free audiobook lending through apps like OverDrive [1] and Hoopla [2]. By getting a library card, you can borrow audiobooks from your library’s digital collection and listen on your phone, tablet, or computer.
Some audiobook subscription services like Audible [3] or Google Play Books [4] offer free trials for 30 days or more. You can sign up for the free trial, download several audiobooks, and cancel before getting charged. However, you won’t have access to the books after canceling.
Many audiobook sellers and authors also offer promotional free audiobook giveaways from time to time. Following authors, narrators, and publishers on social media can help you find out about limited-time free offers.
While not technically audiobooks, podcasts and radio dramas can also be great sources of free audio content. Podcasts like LeVar Burton Reads provide free short fiction readings.
With some digging, it’s possible to find legitimate free audiobooks without pirating copyrighted works. Public libraries and trials of audiobook services are some of the best places to start.
Public Library Apps and Websites
Many public libraries provide access to free audiobooks through apps and websites. The most popular options are:
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Libby – Developed by OverDrive, Libby allows you to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your local library. Available as an app for iOS and Android devices.
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OverDrive – The original app from OverDrive to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from the library. Available for multiple platforms.
To start using these apps, all you need is an active library card. Browse your library’s collection in the app and check out audiobooks to download or stream. Loans and wait times vary based on your library’s policies. With a single app, you can access free audiobooks from anywhere.
Public libraries are investing more resources into expanding their digital collections. Audiobook selection on these apps improves each year. While the latest bestsellers may have waitlists, you can always find hidden gems in your library’s catalog if you take the time to browse.
Free Trial Subscriptions
One of the most popular ways to access free audiobooks is through free trial subscriptions from audiobook services like Audible. Audible, owned by Amazon, is the largest provider of audiobooks in the world and offers new users a 30-day free trial when signing up for a membership. During the free trial, you can download and listen to as many audiobooks from Audible’s catalogue of over 200,000 titles as you want without any limits or charges. After the 30 days, Audible subscriptions auto-renew at $14.95 per month for 1 audiobook credit per month but users can cancel anytime to avoid being charged.
According to Audible’s membership page, some key benefits of the free trial include:
- Unlimited listening to hundreds of Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts
- Download titles to listen anytime, anywhere on iOS, Android, or Windows devices
- Access to the Plus catalog of thousands of audiobooks and podcasts
- 30% discount on additional audiobook purchases
With strategic planning, Audible’s free trial can provide months of free audiobook listening. Just be sure to set a reminder to cancel before the trial ends if you wish to avoid membership fees.
Promotional Giveaways
One way to get free audiobooks is through promotional giveaways offered by authors, publishers, and audiobook services. Many authors and narrators provide free download codes for their audiobooks on sites like Audio Freebies and Goodreads as a way to promote their work. Publishers and audiobook platforms like Audible will also occasionally give away free copies of select audiobooks to build interest.
Services like Audiobook Boom and Binding 13 email out free audiobook codes and deals to their mailing lists. Subscribing to newsletters from your favorite audiobook sources can alert you to free audiobook offerings. Social media giveaways are another way authors distribute promotional codes for a limited time.
The selection of promotional audiobooks changes frequently as new titles are released. Checking sites like Reddit and Facebook groups focused on free audiobook codes can help you find the latest giveaways across different genres.
Podcasts and Radio Dramas
Podcasts and radio dramas are a great source of free audiobook-style content. Many podcasts feature serialized fictional stories told over multiple episodes, mimicking the experience of listening to an audiobook. Popular audiobook-style podcasts include Welcome to Night Vale, The Bright Sessions, and Homecoming from Gimlet Media, which was later adapted into an Amazon Prime TV series. Fans of classic radio dramas can find older shows like The Shadow and X Minus One available as podcasts.
Platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher make thousands of podcasts available for free. Audiobook lovers can search for terms like “serialized fiction,” “radio drama,” or “audiobook” to find podcasts that emulate the audiobook experience. Check out rankings like Feedspot’s Top 50 Audiobook Podcasts for recommendations.
The episodic nature of podcasts provides a steady stream of new content. And if you find a podcast you love, there are hours of back episodes to listen to. Just be aware of data usage if streaming on mobile networks. Downloading podcast episodes ahead of time is a smart option for binge listening without overages.
Public Domain Audiobooks
One of the best sources for free audiobooks is sites that offer public domain works. Since these books are no longer under copyright, they can be downloaded and listened to freely without infringing on intellectual property rights.
Some top sites for public domain audiobooks include:
- LibriVox – A large collection of free public domain audiobooks recorded by volunteers from around the world.
- Loyal Books – Over 7,000 free audiobooks of classic literature.
- Project Gutenberg – The first producer of free ebooks, Project Gutenberg also has some audiobooks available.
Of these sites, LibriVox has the largest catalog of free public domain audiobooks. LibriVox relies on volunteers to record chapters of books in the public domain. While quality can vary, it’s an excellent source for classic literature and older works.
Public domain audiobooks on these sites can be streamed online or downloaded to listen offline. They offer a legal and free way to access audiobooks of classic literature.
Risks of Piracy
While it may be tempting to find free audiobooks through illegal means, there are real risks associated with audiobook piracy. Downloading copyrighted materials illegally violates intellectual property laws, leaving you open to potential legal repercussions. According to one source, the risk of prosecution is relatively low for individual downloaders, but still present (Is it illegal to download free audio books?).
Beyond legal risks, pirated audiobooks can contain viruses, malware, and other security threats. The sites hosting illegal downloads are not regulated or screened for safety. Opening yourself up to these sites makes you vulnerable to identity theft, damaged devices, and hacked accounts. Additionally, the audio quality of pirated materials is not guaranteed.
For your own protection, it’s best to avoid the risks and seek legal methods of accessing free audiobooks. While patience and persistence may be required, there are legitimate ways to listen without resorting to piracy.
Tips for Finding Free Audiobooks
There are plenty of legal ways to access audiobooks for free if you know where to look. With a bit of research and resourcefulness, you can build an extensive audiobook library without spending any money.
First, make use of your local library’s free apps and websites. Most public libraries now offer apps like OverDrive and Libby that allow you to borrow audiobooks digitally. This gives you access to thousands of audiobook titles that you can download and listen to for free with just a library card.
Look out for limited-time free trial subscriptions as well. Services like Audible or Scribd often offer free trials for the first month, allowing you to download a number of audiobooks to keep. Just remember to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to pay.
Search online for sites hosting public domain audiobooks to find classic literature titles available for free download legally. Resources like LibriVox have thousands of audiobooks of public domain works recorded by volunteers.
Consider following audiobook-related accounts on social media, which often advertise free audiobook promotions and giveaways. You can discover deals on free audiobook downloads that you may otherwise miss.
Finally, look through podcasts and radio apps for serialized audiobook adaptations released for free. Many classic novels have free audio drama adaptations that mimic the experience of an audiobook.
With some savvy searching and the right apps installed, you can unlock a wealth of audiobook content without ever having to pay. Just be sure to use legal methods and sources to avoid potential issues with piracy.
The Future of Free Audiobooks
The audiobook industry is thriving and expected to continue growing rapidly in the coming years. According to Grand View Research, the global audiobook market was valued at $5.36 billion in 2022 and is forecasted to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 26.3% from 2023 to 2030.
This growth presents opportunities for increased access to free audiobooks, but also some concerns. As the market expands, more authors may offer free samples or limited-time promotions to attract new listeners. Services like public libraries and companies like Audible are likely to continue expanding their free offerings to remain competitive. However, as the industry grows, there is a risk of fragmentation. More exclusive deals between audiobook suppliers and distributors could limit options for listeners. Piracy could also become more prevalent as demand increases.
Overall, the future looks bright for free audiobook access, but industry leaders will need to prioritize open ecosystems and affordable options as the market evolves. With thoughtful collaboration between creators, distributors, libraries, and listeners, the growth of audiobooks could usher in an exciting new era of knowledge-sharing and accessibility.