Best Audiobook Apps
For many individuals, reading may be something that you would like to do but cannot afford to due to your busy lifestyle. Well, here’s a different alternative that you can go for. Audiobooks. It allows you to listen to books on the go. Simply just check out the titles on the audiobook app and download them as digital files. For those who are new to audiobooks, here are some of the best audiobook apps available.
Libby, by Overdrive
Cost: Free || Platforms: Android, iOS
Since many of us would already be members of the National Library Board (NLB), Libby by Overdrive would be one of the best apps to start reading audiobooks. It is a new app developed by OverDrive that allows you to borrow and download eBooks / eAudiobooks from NLB. It has a simple user interface which makes navigating through it an easy and fast process. With the Libby app, you can download books into your device so that you can read even when offline.
Audible
Cost: SGD 20 per month || Platforms: Android, iOS
Audible is an app by Amazon. Though pricey, it provides an extensive collection of audiobooks of more than 200,000 unique titles. Not only that, Audible also provides more than hundreds of Audible Original titles that cannot be found elsewhere. Subscriptions in Audible works using ‘credits’ which can be used to purchase audiobooks. Depending on the subscription plan, you will receive a different number of Audible credits. For instance, the SGD 20 per month plan allows you to get a single monthly credit that can be used to purchase one audiobook and if the book is not to your liking, you can exchange it free of charge. Even if you do not have time to listen to audiobooks every month, any credits that are not used can be kept till the next month; but do take note that these credits will eventually expire after one year of issue.
Blinkist
Cost: SGD 13 per month || Platforms: Android, iOS
Unlike other apps, Blinkist provides a book summary service that allows you to understand the book in less than 15 minutes. This is suitable for those who struggle to finish a non-fiction book or simply just do not have the time to read all the books you want. The Blinkist team would read the books, identify the key insights and explain them in an easy-to-digest, 15-minute summary format. The app has a free version that allows you to read one summary every day. However, you would not be able to control what you’re reading as it would be randomly chosen based on the daily pick. If you want full access, there is Blinkist Premium which is available. There are 2 plans available which is the yearly plan at SGD119.98 per year and the monthly plan which costs SGD 19.98 per month.
Kobo Audiobooks
Cost: SGD 14 per month || Platforms: Android, iOS
If you find Audible too expensive, a more affordable alternative would be Kobo. However, Kobo provides a slightly smaller catalogue compared to Audible. Kobo costs about SGD 14 per month and allows you to purchase standalone titles through the Kobo store. Kobo’s subscription works similarly to Audible where you would receive a credit for an audiobook per month.
By Khoo Zi Xin, ReadNUS Events Team Member