The audiobooks have revolutionized the way we consume books and written content, becoming one of the most appreciated tools by both reading lovers and those looking to learn while doing other activities. Thanks to technological advances and the universalization of smartphones and tablets, it is now possible to enjoy a novel, learn about specialized topics, or practice languages while driving, exercising, or simply taking a walk.
The history of audiobooks dates back to the earliest audio recording media, but their current boom It's a direct consequence of mobile apps, which have made millions of titles available to anyone in just a few clicks. They've also taken on a prominent role in language learning, as listening to books in foreign languages enhances listening comprehension, intonation, and fluency.
The best apps for listening to audiobooks on Android and iOS
Audible (Android and iOS)
Audible is Amazon's flagship app dedicated to audiobooks. Its extensive catalog of more than 240.000 titles, including thousands in Spanish, makes it one of the most comprehensive platforms in the world. Here you'll find a huge variety of books, podcasts, audio series and original productions, all narrated by professionals, in addition to thematic sections and collections organized by genre and interests.
Audible is characterized by a careful user experience: Its app allows you to search by author, title, and category, and discover new releases, bestsellers, classics, and personalized recommendations. Highlights include features such as playback speed adjustment, sleep timer, bookmarks and even the ability to save audio clips to take notes. It also allows you to download audiobooks to listen to. No internet connection, ideal for travel or areas without coverage.
Access to Audible requires a monthly subscription of €9,99, with the first month free. Amazon Prime members can benefit from promotional extended trial periods. The subscription includes unlimited access to the entire catalog and the ability to purchase credits for premium books. Audible also accepts payments via prepaid cards, adding security and flexibility to your expense control.
Among its exclusive functionalities highlights whisper sync, which syncs your reading progress between audiobooks and eBooks, allowing you to switch between reading and listening without losing track. The app also features listening reminders, user reviews, public and private collections, and personalized playlists.
Storytel (Android and iOS)
Storytel is considered the "Netflix of audiobooks" for its subscription model with unlimited access and a vast catalog of titles in Spanish and English, as well as exclusive originals and podcasts. Subscriptions cost €9,99 per month (with free trials of up to 14 days), allowing you to explore novels, bestselling series, nonfiction, self-help books, and children's and young adult literature.
The application stands out for its offline mode to download audiobooks, a sleep timer, the ability to add custom notes and bookmarks, share excerpts with friends, and filter by language or category. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to discover books through recommendations, trending topics, special collections, and powerful searches by keyword, author, or title.
Storytel allows you to create user profiles, set language preferences (great for learning languages by listening to original books), and offers personalized recommendations based on your reading experience. It also lets you organize your library, perform advanced searches, create lists, and save your favorite passages.
Google Play Books (Android and iOS)
Google Play Books, known primarily as an eBook platform, includes a significant section of audiobooks with thousands of titles of all genres. Unlike other services, here There is no monthly subscription: Users can purchase audiobooks individually and access them permanently on any device linked to their Google account.
Among its advantages is the possibility of try free 5-minute samples before deciding to purchase, share titles with family and enjoy some free audiobooks, especially public domain classics. The app allows you to organize books into collections, sync listening progress between devices, and adjust playback speed. The player is convenient and simple, and features a timer for late-night listening.
Apple books (iOS, Mac, iPad)
Apple books It is Apple's official platform for purchasing and listening to books and audiobooks on iPhone, iPad and Mac. It stands out for its full integration into the Apple ecosystem and allows you to store all the books you purchase forever in your account. The audiobook catalog includes millions of titles across all genres, many of them also available in Spanish and other languages. No subscription is required; just pay individually for each title.
The main advantages of Apple Books are: Sync between devices, audiobook preview, playback speed control, bookmarks, and timer. It also allows you to share audiobooks with family members (via Family Sharing) and use gift cards to make purchases without using your bank details.
LibriVox (Android and iOS)
If you're looking for completely free and legal applications To listen to audiobooks, LibriVox is your best option. This non-profit project, supported by volunteers from around the world, makes available more than 50.000 public domain audiobooks Recorded by readers of diverse nationalities and accents, in more than 100 languages. The app offers search by author, title, language, or genre, and allows downloading for offline listening.
LibriVox is ideal for classics lovers and those interested in the book, although you won't find current bestsellers due to copyright restrictions. Its features include: Variable playback speed, timer, bookmarks, offline downloads, and custom collection creationIf you'd like to remove ads and support the project, you can subscribe for a very low fee. You can also become a volunteer narrator.
Spotify (Android, iOS, cross-platform)
Spotify, the most popular streaming platform, has incorporated a specific section of audiobooks within its catalog, along with music and podcasts. It includes more than 250.000 titles, with access to 15 hours of audiobooks per month with a Premium Individual subscription. You can also purchase additional titles from the web version and add them to your library.
Spotify audiobooks can be streamed or downloaded for offline listening, and you can mark your progress, adjust the speed, and share recommendations. Many audiobooks are also found in public playlists, making it easy to discover new stories.
iVoox (Android, iOS and web)
iVoox It is a very popular Spanish app focused on podcasts, but with a great selection of free and paid audiobooks in Spanish. It includes short stories, books, theatrical adaptations, and dramatizations of classic and contemporary works. You can download audiobooks in MP3 format, stream them, and upload your own recordings. You can also subscribe to favorite channels and discover personalized recommendations.
audiobooks.com (Android, iOS and web)
audiobooks.com It is one of the largest subscription platforms worldwide, with a catalog of over 450.000 premium audiobooks in different genres and languages. Its subscription model allows access to new releases, classics, thematic lists, and bestsellers from leading publishers. It offers a free trial period and access via web, mobile, and car.
Kobo Audiobooks (Android, iOS)
Kobo Audiobooks is another excellent alternative, especially known for offering competitive prices and a credit-based model similar to Audible (for €9,99 a month, you get one credit to redeem for any audiobook in the catalog). Unlike other platforms, purchased titles remain in your library even if you cancel your subscription. Plus, it lets you purchase individual audiobooks and sync them with your Kobo eReader.
Scribd (Android, iOS, web)
Scribd is an all-in-one subscription platform that includes Audiobooks, eBooks, documents, magazines, sheet music, and podcasts for a monthly fee. It offers an extensive collection of titles in Spanish and English, with the option to download offline, adjust the narration speed, a timer, bookmarks, and access to personalized recommendations by genre.
Libby and OverDrive (Android, iOS)
Both applications allow access to audiobooks and eBooks borrowed from public libraries from all over the world. You only need a valid library card to access thousands of free and legal titles, with support for downloading and offline listening, a timer, bookmarks, cross-device syncing, and automatic loan returns.
Beelinguapp (Android, iOS)
Beelinguapp combines audiobooks and language learning. It allows you to listen to stories with text in two languages (the one you're studying and your native language) and synchronizes the narration with the text, facilitating auditory learning and pronunciation. It includes children's stories, classic tales, science fiction, articles, and much more.
Differences between audiobooks, e-books, and paperbacks
In addition to audiobooks, there are other popular reading formats such as eBooks and traditional paperbacks. Below are the main differences and advantages of each format to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.
- Cost Efficiency: Audiobooks can be more expensive when purchased individually, although subscription models offer significant discounts and unlimited access. eBooks are generally cheaper, especially self-published or public domain books. Paperbacks are the most expensive option, especially hardcover or imported editions.
- Portability: Audiobooks and ebooks are extremely portable, as you can carry dozens or hundreds of them on your mobile device. Audiobooks excel because you can "read" while multitasking. Paper books require physical space and are less convenient for carrying multiple titles at once.
- Accessibility: Audiobooks require considerable storage space and a narrated version of the book. eBooks have a wider variety available and can include accessibility features (enlargement, color, synthesized voice). Paperbacks require a defined physical space and do not have additional technological features.
- Comprehension and retention: Audiobooks are great for stories, guides, or self-help books, although they can be more easily distracted, which can affect retention. Ebooks and paperbacks make it easy to highlight, take notes, and reread passages.
- Immersive experience: Audiobooks, thanks to the expressiveness of the narrators and special effects, can emotionally engage the listener. Ebooks allow for personalized reading, and paperbacks offer a sensory and nostalgic experience that's hard to match.
Other apps and alternatives for listening to audiobooks
- The Whole Book: Specializing in royalty-free works, it offers more than 50.000 titles read by professional voices. It's free and available for Android.
- Smart Audiobook Player: An Android app that plays locally stored audiobooks and offers advanced features like speed control, timer, and custom organization.
- Books: Focused on the classics, it provides access to over 14.000 free downloadable audiobooks and playback speed control.
- Free Audiobooks (Android/iOS): Several apps carry this name and usually provide access to thousands of public domain titles.
- Blinkist: Provides audio (and text) summaries of nonfiction and personal development books in 15 minutes, ideal for those who want to learn quickly.
- Natural Reader and Google Lens: They allow you to convert physical books or PDFs into audiobooks through voice reading, although synthetic voices may sound less natural.
- Public library lending (eBiblio)Hundreds of Spanish public libraries offer free audiobooks for digital borrowing through apps like eBiblio, Libby, and OverDrive.
Tips for managing your audiobook library
As your personal catalog grows, it's a good idea to use built-in features in apps to organize your audiobooks:
- Bookmarks and favorites lists: They allow you to save your most interesting titles and resume listening where you left off.
- Speed and timer: Adjust the narration speed to your listening pace and use a timer if you're listening before bed.
- Cloud synchronization: Allows you to switch devices and continue listening without losing progress.
- Local download and backup: Always have your favorite audiobooks available, even offline.
Advantages of using prepaid cards and gift cards for audiobooks
- Privacy Protection: You don't need to enter your bank details on each platform.
- Budget Control: You only spend the balance you top up, avoiding surprises with automatic renewals.
- Flexibility and ease of gift giving: They're ideal as gifts for audiobook lovers and allow you to cancel subscriptions without any additional paperwork.
Quick comparison of the most prominent apps
| App | Catalog (approx.) | Language/Location | Price | Schedule a call | Subscription Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audible | + 240.000 | Spanish, English, more | 9,99 € / month | 30 days | Yes |
| Storytel | + 100.000 | Spanish, English, more | 9,99 € / month | 14 days | Yes |
| Google Play Books | Miles | Spanish, English, more | single purchase | 5 min/audio | No |
| LibriVox | + 50.000 | Spanish, English, more | Free | — | No |
| Apple books | Millions | Spanish, English, more | single purchase | preview | No |
| Spotify | + 250.000 | Spanish, English, more | Free or premium | — | No (basic), Yes (premium extra) |
| iVoox | Miles | Spanish | Free/Premium | — | No (basic), Yes (no ads) |
| Kobo | Miles | Spanish, English, more | 9,99 € / month | — | No (single purchase), Yes (subscription) |
| audiobooks.com | + 450.000 | Spanish, English, more | From $14,95/month | 30 days | Yes |
| Scribd | + 100.000 | Spanish, English, more | 9,99 € / month | 30 days | Yes |
Offering audiobook apps It's vast and adaptable to any need, budget, and preference. From free options for discovering classics to premium platforms with all the latest releases and the best features.
Throughout this article, we've analyzed all the industry-leading audiobook listening apps for Android and iOS. Whether you're passionate about modern literature, prefer classics, podcasts, non-fiction summaries, or are looking to improve your command of another language, there's a perfect app for you, with specific features that optimize your listening experience and make managing your personal library easier. The future of audiobooks continues to evolve rapidly, and it's never been easier to immerse yourself in the pleasure of a good story, learn something new, or enjoy your free time without stopping reading.
