Libby is the better app overall, scoring 9.1 to 8.2. Libby wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Audible on 1.
Readers and audiobook fans who have, or can get, a public library card
Regular listeners who want new releases and Originals they can keep
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Libby | Audible |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Reading & News | Reading & News |
| Category rank | #1 of 11 | #9 of 11 |
| Developer | OverDrive | Audible, Inc. |
| Pricing | Free | Subscription |
| Usable for free | Yes | No |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is Libby better than Audible?
Libby is the better app overall, scoring 9.1 to 8.2. Libby wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Audible on 1.
Which is cheaper, Libby or Audible?
Libby: Free; you just need a card from a participating library. Audible: Standard is $8.99 a month; Premium Plus is $14.95 with a credit; 30-day free trial. On value for money, Libby scores higher.
Do Libby and Audible work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on iPhone & iPad, Android, Web.
Which is more private, Libby or Audible?
Libby scores higher on privacy (9.2/10). App Store label: no tracking. Only crash data is linked to you; product interaction and performance data are collected without being tied to you. Google Play says nothing is shared.
Strengths and weaknesses
Libby
- Completely free with a library card
- No tracking, and almost no data tied to you
- Clean design that's easy for any age
- Popular titles can mean long hold waits
- Catalog depends on your library's collection
- Send to Kindle works only in the US
Libby turns your library card into a free ebook, audiobook and magazine app. Borrow titles, place holds and get told when they're ready, download them for offline reading, set audiobook speed from 0.6x to 3x and, in the US, send loans to a Kindle. You can link several library cards at once. The only real cost is patience, since popular books often have long hold queues.
Full Libby review
Audible
- Huge catalog with exclusive Originals
- Premium Plus books stay yours even if you cancel
- Syncs your place with Kindle ebooks
- Credits get pricey if you finish many books
- Standard plan books vanish when you cancel
- Lots of data linked to your Amazon account
Audible has one of the largest audiobook libraries, with over a million titles and Originals you won't find anywhere else. Premium Plus gives you a monthly credit for any book you keep forever, plus the Plus Catalog to stream. The new $8.99 Standard plan costs less, but those books disappear if you cancel. The app handles the basics well: speed control, a sleep timer, offline downloads and syncing with Kindle ebooks.
Full Audible review
