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Audible vs Libro.fm

A side-by-side look at Audible and Libro.fm to help you pick the right one.

Audible

Pricing: $14.95/mo (Premium Plus, 1 credit) | $7.95/mo (Plus, no credits)

Pros

  • Largest audiobook catalog in the world
  • 1 credit per month covers any audiobook regardless of list price
  • Audible Originals are genuinely worth listening to
  • Whispersync with the Kindle text edition
  • Excellent app: sleep timer, chapter navigation, variable speed
  • Offline downloads work everywhere
  • Credits roll over for up to a year

Cons

  • Books you "own" are tied to your Amazon account and DRM-locked
  • Cancellation means losing access to non-credit Plus catalog
  • Newer hardcover-launch titles often skip the Plus catalog
  • Most expensive option per month at full price
  • Cannot easily move purchases to other apps

Libro.fm

Pricing: $14.99/mo (1 credit) | A la carte from $2.99-$30

Pros

  • Every purchase supports a local independent bookstore
  • No DRM: you own the audiobook as exportable MP3 files
  • Same catalog as Audible for most major publishers
  • Same credit-pricing model ($14.99 = 1 credit/month)
  • Excellent app on iOS and Android
  • Best 30-day satisfaction guarantee in the category
  • Strong gift program

Cons

  • Catalog slightly smaller than Audible (most major titles, fewer Originals)
  • No Whispersync equivalent
  • No bundled Plus catalog like Audible has
  • No equivalent of Audible Originals
  • Marketing emails can be persistent if you do not opt out

Bottom line: both Audible and Libro.fm are solid choices. Use the pros, cons and pricing above to decide which fits your needs, then check the latest price through the links.

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