3 Tips for Finding Reliable Audiobook Services – 2024 Guide
With the influence of digital technologies, it is not a surprise that people are searching for various information over modern sources more often instead of visiting libraries and bookstores. There are many advantages of online platforms where we can find all sorts of titles in digital format. That can be especially beneficial for college students. Besides the e-books, we can notice the rise in popularity of audiobooks as well. The main advantage is that you can learn new things or listen to some interesting stories on the go, without the need to read any content. Also, some researches prove how listening to audiobooks can improve memory and help students to learn much faster.
Besides the materials for studying, you can find many other titles available, along with interesting podcasts, interviews, and more. The rise in popularity of audiobooks services started with the wide use of smartphones and fast internet. Today, you can simply download an app and enjoy it while listening to numerous titles. There are many services available today that offer various features. One of the most popular options is Scribd, and you can click here to read more about this service.
Furthermore, since there is already high competition on the market, it might be difficult for someone to select the right option. There are many differences between various services, especially those related to the price, available titles, interface of apps, and more. In that matter, if you are interested in starting to listen to the audio materials more often, it is very important to learn about some features of various services. Here are some tips that can help you to find a reliable audiobook platform.
1. Check Ratings and Reviews
One of the best ways to check if some online platform is reliable enough is to read more about the experience of other people. You should always use this method with any sort of online service, especially those that require registration or paid subscription. One of the reasons for that is related to online security. Since you will have to share your private information, the best way is to first check whether a particular website is reliable and secure.
Also, we have to mention that if you notice that there is no section available where you can leave comments, it might be a sign that they just don’t want someone to criticize or share negative thoughts. Furthermore, if there is a section with comments, and you notice a lot of negative ones, it is better to avoid such a service. Another thing that you can do is to check some forums where you can read a lot about the proper selection of audiobooks services.
2. Are You Looking for Free Services?
There are many reasons why people would rather choose free options, even with the fact that paid ones have a much higher selection of titles and improved features. For instance, particular free platforms might already have everything that you need. Some of the best currently available on the market are Libby and Overdrive. The main advantages are that they share many features with paid options, such as the selection of different speeds, sleep timers, bookmarks, and more. Both options have a huge collection of materials on their browsers.
Besides these two, you should also check Hoopla, which is another free app where you can find numerous audiobooks, e-books, podcasts, music, and more. Moreover, we have to mention Librivox, which is a free collection of audio materials read by volunteers. The great advantage is that you can choose between different people to find the most suitable narrator.
3. Paid Services are the Most Convenient
Even though there are free websites and apps for various multimedia, there are still many advantages of choosing a well-known company where you can easily find any title, e-book, or podcast. It is especially important for students since there is a huge collection of audiobooks related to subjects learned at universities. Amazon has one of the best services, and the great advantage is that you can combine it with Kindle. The Audible is the service owned by this company, and it is one of the most popular online platforms in the world. The standard subscription costs $15 per month. Also, with a basic plan, you can get one audiobook for free, with an additional 30% discount for other materials. There is an even better plan, that costs $23. Moreover, we have to mention that you can find many titles for free as well.
Another well-known option is Scribd, which offers even better advantages with its selection of various content. The great benefit is that you can find magazines, e-books, podcasts, and many other audio materials besides standard books. The cost is lower as well, at $9 per month. The mobile app is especially good with features like offline playing, download option, bookmarking, ability to edit the speed, sleep timer, and much more.
Moreover, another great option is Libro, which is especially great for people interested in supporting the less-known bookstores. Most features are similar to previous apps, while the cost per month is $15. There is also a discount for various materials. On the other side, there is also a more unique service called Downpour, with the main difference when compared with other similar platforms is that you can rent materials for one day, which many people find convenient since they could save a lot of money. In most cases, people will listen to the content only one time.
The Bottom Line
Besides the most popular apps and websites that we mentioned, you can also use Google Play or iTunes to search for different collections available there. Moreover, platforms like Soundcloud and Spotify are excellent as well, especially Soundcloud where many people started uploading podcasts, interviews, and even audiobooks. With so many available options, the best way to select the right one is to consider what are your needs and expectations. If you are interested in listening to the most recent titles, the best solution is some paid service. On the other hand, interviews and podcasts can be found on each of these services.
