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Audible vs audiobookshelf

January 26, 2026
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Audible
Audible is Amazon-owned online audiobook service that allows users to purchase and listen to audiobooks through its iPhone and Android apps. Books cannot be purchased individually - they are available through a subscription (starting at $15/month), which provides users with "credits" that can be redeemed for content monthly. The library includes over 200,000 audiobooks across all genres, including exclusive works. Once purchased, a book remains in the user's library and can be downloaded or listened to at any time. The app allows offline listening, adjustable playback speed, and sleep timers. Car mode is also supported.
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audiobookshelf
Self-hosted open-source audiobook and podcast server. Includes companion Android and iOS app for offline listening. Keeps progress per user and syncs across devices. Multi-user support with custom permissions
Audible vs audiobookshelf in our news:

2023. Audible launches app for smart watches



Audible officially unveiled its Wear OS app, expanding the audiobook experience on Android smartwatches. The app allows users to download audiobooks for offline listening, select audiobook from your library and adjust playback speed. To get started, users simply download it from the Google Play Store and sign in to their Audible account. Once set up, they can easily navigate their Audible library and listen to audiobooks directly from their watch without a smartphone. The launch of the Audible app for Wear OS coincided with the release of Wear OS 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. Thus, Amazon and Samsung have collaborated to expand the usefulness of smartwatches.

Author: Maria Lin
Maria Lin, is a seasoned content writer who has contributed to numerous tech portals, including Mashable and bookrunch, as a guest author. She holds a Master's degree in Journalism from the University of California, where her research predominantly concentrated on mobile apps, software, AI and cloud services. With a deep passion for reading, Maria is particularly drawn to the intersection of technology and books, making book tech a subject of great interest to her. During her leisure time, she indulges in her love for cooking and finds solace in a good night's sleep. You can contact Maria Lin via email maria@bookrunch.com