Best audiobook apps for Mac, iPhone, and iPad: My secret to non-stop reading

Are you always caught up in things but still love getting lost in a good book? So am I! For me, an audiobook app is a fantastic way to enjoy favorite stories while working, on the commute, or just relaxing. I can’t think of any downsides unless you need to focus on a meeting rather than a plot twist.

I researched dozens of listening apps and found some hidden gems that are a must-try. In this article, I’ll share my top picks that you should check out.

The best listening apps:

• Audible for a vast audiobook library.
• Apple Books for syncing across all your Apple devices.
• Headway for quick and concise non-fiction book summaries.
• Audiobooks.com for personalized recommendations based on your listening history.
• Permute for converting texts into audio tracks. 
• Scribd for audiobooks, eBooks, magazines, and many more.
• Voice Dream Reader for listening to PDFs, textbooks, docs, articles, and more.
• Kobo for a single purchase from an endless collection.

Benefits of audiobooks for bookworms

As someone who extensively tested different reading formats, I can confidently say that book listening apps win the battle. When you open an app, you dive into a large library containing thousands of books and genres, so you can pick a story within minutes if not seconds. And given the fact that you can literally listen to your favorite story while grocery shopping, it’s clear that you can enjoy an audiobook no matter how busy your day is. Moreover, it’s a great break from screen time after long hours working on a laptop. 

However, each app has unique features, and your choice will be based on your preferences. 

Top best audiobook apps for Mac and iOS

Here is a quick take on the best apps for listening to audiobooks:

Let’s compare!	Perfect match for	Superpower	Pricing/month
Audible	Extensive library	First access to popular releases	From $7.95
Apple Books	Syncing between Apple devices	User-friendly interface	Free and paid titles
Headway	15-minute summaries of non-fiction books	Self-growth daily listening challenges	Included in Setapp for $9.99
Audiobooks.com	Personalized recommendations	VIP program exclusive collection	From $14.95
Scribd	Audiobooks, eBooks, and more	Flexible listening settings	From $9.99
Kobo	Single audiobook purchase	Switch between reading and listening	From $7.99

Based on my testing and personal experience, here are the key parameters to look for before you choose an audiobook app:

1. Large library. With a wide range of books of different genres, you’ll definitely find something to your taste. I considered apps with over 40,000 books, including daily updates.
2. Offline access. This feature is a life-saver for your next flight. However, you should know that downloaded books typically go into the app’s library, meaning they cannot be shared or accessed outside the app.
3. Playback controls. You can make your listening customizable with options like adjustable playback speed, bookmarks, or sleep timers.
4. Compatibility with devices. It’s so convenient when you can keep your reading progress across devices such as a Mac, iPhone, or iPad. 

Scroll down to find detailed information for each listening app, I recommend trying.

Audible: Library with something for everyone  

It’s a pretty popular audiobook app with a subscription-based service that offers over 200,000 audiobooks. From new releases and international bestsellers to podcasts and Audible originals, it has something for everyone.

Plus, there are features like changing the playback speed and selecting a specific chapter. Those who really care about their listening experience will be satisfied with these. 

Yet, there are some downsides you should know. Audible’s restriction policy won’t let you add books directly on your iPhone. You must download them with a laptop or computer.

Pricing: Plans start at $7.95 per month after 30 days free trial. For $14.95 per month, you can get Audible Premium Plus, which gives you one extra title monthly from the Audible Plus Catalog.

Gems I found: Atomic Habits by James Clear (2018), The Woman by Christian Hannah (2024), and First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston (2024).

Apple Books: Switch between your devices easily

As an Apple user, you probably heard about Apple Books. It’s super easy to use because it’s already in your Apple ecosystem, so one can call it the best audiobook player for Mac. Unlike Audible, there’s no subscription plan, and you can listen to your favorite books, among millions of others, with easy navigation. I would call it one of the best free audiobook apps if there were no "but." 

Yes, you can enjoy the app for free. However, please keep in mind that while some books are free, others are paid, and their prices may sometimes seem a bit high.

Pricing: Contains free and paid books varying by title.

Gems I found: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813) and The Briar Club by Kate Quinn (2024).

Headway: Non-fiction without fluff 

If you enjoy listening to some non-fictional audiobooks to gain valuable knowledge on topics like health, productivity, leadership, and others, Headway is your choice. It’s a summarising app that sticks to the key points and saves you a lot of time. Headway provides a 15-minute book summary and highlights the main ideas. I’ve never imagined that just in one day, I can actually learn five new self-growth pieces! 

You may not be familiar with the idea of learning a new book by listening to its summary, but trust me, it’s worth it. Because sometimes, non-fiction is overloaded with non-essentials, and that’s where a summarising feature will come in handy.

Pricing: It offers one free summary per day, or you can subscribe and get unlimited access for  $12.99 per month, $29.99 per three months, or $89.99 per year. Alternatively, you can access Headway with a single $9.99 subscription via Setapp, which includes 240+ other useful apps.

Gems I found: The Art of Saying No by Damon Zahariades (2017), Getting Things Done by David Allen (2001), and Deep Work by Cal Newport (2016).

Audiobooks.com: Unlimited library

Audiobooks.com claims to have more than 400,000 titles with curated recommendations, and now that you know this, you might want to clear your calendar from upcoming meetings. All jokes aside. You can try a free trial and get three books at no cost. This is a good start for those who want to enjoy a story while saving money. Plus, there’s a VIP selection of books offering popular titles that you may be interested in, but it’s for monthly subscription members only.

Pricing: During the 30-day free trial, you get one free audiobook and two titles from the VIP Rewards collection. After the trial, a monthly subscription fee is $14.95 (plus applicable taxes), and you get access to VIP Rewards and Member Deals.

Gems I found: Code Name: Lise by Larry Loftis (2019).

Everand from Scribd: Not just audiobooks

For those who want it all, try Scribd (Everand). In addition to audiobooks, the app offers listeners eBooks, magazines, and more. You can switch between millions of pieces of content with no limits. I like that the pricing plan is simple, with no extra charges for additional pieces, meaning that you can enjoy the app as a true subscriber during your free term.

Also, if you don’t want to subscribe after a trial period, remember to cancel it. Otherwise, you’ll get automatically charged.

Pricing: A single $9.99 monthly plan after 30 days of free trial is available for Everand. If you want to get access to Scribd, Everand, and Slideshare, which offers written materials, the plan is $11.99 (plus tax where applicable).

Gems I found: You Like It Darker by Stephen King (2024), SmartLess podcast hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett.

Kobo: Get a book to your library

Kobo has over 150,000 audiobooks, with more being added all the time. You can get a free 30-day trial to test the app, and if you’re a light reader, you can buy an audiobook without subscribing to the service. 

Speaking of cons, Kobo won’t sync between your iPhone and Mac because it doesn’t work on laptops or desktop computers.

Pricing: After 30 days of a free trial period, you will be automatically charged $7.99 a month for the Kobo Plus Listen plan. You can also upgrade to $9.99 a month for Kobo Plus Read & Listen, which gives you access to audiobooks and eBooks.

Gems I found: When We Were Bright and Beautiful by Jillian Medoff (2022), and Autocracy, Inc. by Anne Applebaum (2024).

The best app for listening to audiobooks: Final words

Undoubtedly, Audible is the most popular app among others, with its vast library and new releases, while Headway gives excellent, concise summaries of your favorite nonfiction books with a simple, stick-to-the-point approach. Audiobooks.com is known for its extensive library and personalized recommendations. Less viral options will be Apple Books, Scribd, or Kobo.

Another top find among apps is Voice Dream Reader. I often use it to listen to books. Also, try the Permute convertor. If you only have a reading version of a story — simply convert it into a listening one. For a better solution, try Setapp. The platform offers dozens of useful tools with a single subscription plan, including Headway, and Permute. And with a seven-day free trial, you can test not just the listening apps but many more.