Overview

The catalog covers more than 480,000 audiobooks, sold individually or with Club Pricing discounts. Purchased books remain in your library without an active plan, making AudiobooksNow a sensible option for readers who want continued access to selected titles. It is less suited to anyone whose priority is unlimited listening for a recurring fee.

Listening is available by website streaming or downloads. More than 95% of titles are DRM-free and can be downloaded as MP3 files; DRM-protected titles are limited to the apps or website streaming. That gives most buyers flexibility beyond the service, while a smaller portion of the catalog has more restricted playback.

Key features

Bookmarks sync through AudiobooksNow's servers across listening locations, helping listeners keep their place when they switch devices. Fully downloaded books can be played offline in the app after signing in, useful for trips or unreliable connections.

The free Android and iOS apps support Android Auto and CarPlay, respectively. The significant caveat for Apple users is that Club enrollment and Club Price purchases must be handled on the website, not in the iOS app. Organizations such as schools, businesses, nonprofits and book clubs can use the Bulk Purchasing Program for multiple-copy purchases and redemption codes.

The company identifies itself as AudiobooksNow.com Corporation, based in Broadlands, Virginia, and as the GDPR data controller. Support is offered through a Contact Us form and by phone at 888-525-6293, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. The service says it is available worldwide, though individual titles may not be available in every country.

Pricing

AudiobooksNow offers individual purchases and two optional Club plans. The Monthly Club Pricing plan costs $4.99/month after a 30-day free trial. Members receive 50% off their first audiobook each month and 35–40% off other eligible titles; discounts roll over, and members can cancel anytime. It fits regular buyers who prefer a monthly commitment and want the option to stop without an annual renewal.

Annual Club Pricing costs $35.99/year and discounts any 12 audiobooks by 50%, with 35–40% off other titles. It auto-renews, although auto-renewal can be turned off online. This is a better fit for readers who expect to use the 12 discounted purchases over the year and accept an annual renewal; occasional buyers may be better off purchasing individually.

Both plans reduce eligible purchase prices rather than providing unlimited access, and purchased audiobooks remain available if membership ends. The monthly plan's rollover provision offers flexibility, while the annual plan's 12-book discount is more useful to readers with predictable buying habits.

Platforms

AudiobooksNow supports web, Android and iOS listening. Android Auto and CarPlay support extend listening to compatible car systems. Downloads allow offline playback in the app after sign-in, while DRM-free MP3 titles offer a broader download option. iOS listeners must go to the website to enroll in Club Pricing or buy at Club Prices.

Who it's for

AudiobooksNow suits listeners who want to own the titles they buy, regular audiobook purchasers who can use Club discounts, and organizations purchasing multiple copies. It is a weaker fit for readers seeking an unlimited catalog subscription or iOS users who want to handle all membership and discounted purchases inside the app.

Pros and cons

Pros: Purchased books remain available without membership, so access does not depend on continued payments.
Pros: More than 95% of titles are DRM-free MP3 downloads, offering flexible playback for most purchases.
Pros: Monthly discounts roll over, and the monthly plan can be canceled anytime.
Cons: Club Pricing discounts purchases rather than granting unlimited listening, so frequent listeners still pay for titles.
Cons: iOS users must use the website for enrollment and Club Price purchases, interrupting an app-only buying workflow.
Cons: DRM-protected titles cannot be downloaded as MP3 files and are limited to app playback or website streaming.

Alternatives

Audiobook Apps is a broader directory for comparing services. Consider Bookmate if books, comics, podcasts and offline reading or listening matter alongside audiobooks; its described 7-day free plan also lets users upload their own books.

Hoopla is a free alternative for readers with a valid card from a participating public library, though the available titles depend on that library's catalog. Libby is another free library-card option, with access shaped by the library's collection.

Kobo Books is worth considering for listeners who prefer an audiobook-included catalog plan: Kobo Plus Listen is $7.99 a month after a 14-day free trial, plus applicable taxes, though not every Kobo audio title is included. Playary is a free service spanning songs, podcasts, movies, audiobooks and TV shows.

BookPlayer and BorrowBox are also alternatives to consider.

Verdict

Choose AudiobooksNow if you want to buy audiobooks that stay in your library and expect Club discounts to offset regular purchases. Its mix of ownership, MP3 downloads for most titles and rollover discounts is practical for collection-builders. Look elsewhere if you want unlimited listening, or if you use iOS and require Club enrollment and discounted buying entirely within an app.

	AudiobooksNow	plappa
Free plan	No	No
Free trial	Yes	No
Paid from	$3/mo	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, iOS, Web	iOS
Free plan	No	Yes
Paid from	4.99 /mo	—
Offline listening	Yes	Yes
Access model	mixed	—
Mobile platforms	ios and android	ios only
DRM-free downloads	Yes	—
Family sharing	—	Yes

AudiobooksNow vs plappa

AudiobooksNow

plappa