Free, open-source alternatives to Audible
Audiobook store and subscription from Amazon. 2 apps you can run yourself instead of Audible, sorted by how well they replace it. Each one is open source, so your data stays with you.
AudiobookshelfBest match
Audiobook and podcast server. It streams all audio formats, keeps and syncs progress across devices. Comes with apps for Android and iOS.
Audioserve
Simple personal server to serve audio files from directories (audiobooks, music, podcasts...). Focused on simplicity and supports sync of play position between clients.
Side by side
| App | Stars | License | Activity | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audiobookshelf | 14,626 | GPL-3.0 | Docker, Debian packages, Node.js | |
| Audioserve | 860 | MIT | Rust |
Why replace Audible?
Audible works, but your data lives in someone else's account, the price can change at any time, and features can disappear. An open-source app you run yourself is yours: you choose where it runs, who can see the data, and when to update.
Questions
What is the best free alternative to Audible?
Audiobookshelf is the closest open-source replacement for Audible in our list. Audioserve are worth a look too, depending on what you need.
Can I self-host an alternative to Audible?
Yes. All 2 apps on this page are open source and can run on your own server, usually with Docker, or on a managed host that installs them for you.