Amazon's premium subscription audiobook service with 700,000+ titles and community features.
Entertainment enthusiasts who listen to 1+ audiobook monthly, value community engagement, and want immediate access to bestsellers and new releases.
Free digital library app offering ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines through your local library card.
Budget-conscious listeners, occasional audiobook consumers, and privacy-focused users who can wait for titles and have patience with library lending cycles.
Audible offers a premium, subscription-based experience with exclusive content, social features, and professional curation, while Libby provides free access through library cards with a more curated, community-focused approach. Choose Audible for unlimited listening and new releases; choose Libby if you want cost-free entertainment with patience for holds.
Audible suits entertainment seekers who consume multiple audiobooks monthly and value immediate access to bestsellers, exclusive content, and social engagement. Libby excels for budget-conscious listeners and those who prefer privacy, though you'll wait for popular titles. In 2026, Libby has become a legitimate alternative as more users recognize free library access; choose Audible for convenience and community, Libby for savings and curation.
Choose Audible if
Entertainment enthusiasts who listen to 1+ audiobook monthly, value community engagement, and want immediate access to bestsellers and new releases.
| Metric | Audible | Libby | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost(USD) | $14.95 | $0 (free with library card) | — |
| Total Audiobook Titles(count) | 700,000+ | 500,000+ (varies by library) | +40% |
| Global Accessibility(countries) | 150+ countries |
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Choose Libby if
Budget-conscious listeners, occasional audiobook consumers, and privacy-focused users who can wait for titles and have patience with library lending cycles.
| Primarily US, Canada, Australia (library dependent) |
| +4900% |
| User Privacy Rating(scale 1-10) | 6/10 (commercial tracking) | 9/10 (library institutional protection) | -33% |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | Free | Free | — |
| Maximum Hold/Queue Limit(items) | 10 holds maximum | 10 holds maximum | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated May 2026.
Audible
$14.95/month subscription
Libby
Free with library card🏆
Audible
700,000+ titles🏆
Libby
500,000+ titles (varies by library system)
Audible
Immediate access for subscribers🏆
Libby
Waitlists/holds required
Audible
Community feeds, sharing, reviews🏆
Libby
Quiet, personal library mode
Audible
Monthly editor picks and recommendations
Libby
Libby Book Awards and curated selections
Audible
Available for all titles
Libby
Available with library lending
Audible
1+ audiobook/month justifies subscription🏆
Libby
Occasional listeners seeking free access
Audible
Standard commercial tracking
Libby
Library-based privacy protections🏆
Libby offers superior privacy through institutional library protections and limited commercial tracking. Audible, as an Amazon service, involves standard commercial data collection. If privacy is your priority, Libby is the clear choice.
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| Attribute | Audible | Libby |
|---|---|---|
| New Release Availability(days) | Immediate (0 days) | Waitlist dependent (7-90+ days) |
| Exclusive Original Content | Yes, Audible Originals exclusive | No, standard library lending only |
| Total Audiobook Titles(count) | 700,000+ | 500,000+ (varies by library) |
| Content Library Size(titles) | Millions (library-dependent) | — |
| Content Type Diversity | Diverse (ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, all genres) | — |
| Monthly Cost(USD) | $14.95 | $0 (free with library card) |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | Free | — |
| Editor Curation Program | Monthly editor picks and recommendations | Libby Book Awards and curated lists |
| Offline Download Support | Yes, all titles | Yes, library lending |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(streams) | Unlimited devices | — |
| Maximum Hold/Queue Limit(items) | 10 holds maximum | — |
| Offline Access | Available (all users) | — |
| Audiobook Length Filtering | 1-10 hours (1hr modules), 10-24 hours (2hr modules), 24+ hours | — |
| Device Compatibility | iOS, Android, web, Alexa, smart devices | iOS, Android, web, Alexa, smart devices |
| Global Accessibility(countries) | 150+ countries | Primarily US, Canada, Australia (library dependent) |
| Social Features | Community feeds, sharing, reviews | None (private listening only) |
| User Privacy Rating(scale 1-10) | 6/10 (commercial tracking) | 9/10 (library institutional protection) |
| Best For Heavy Listeners (1+ book/month)(value for money) | Excellent ROI ($14.95 for unlimited) | Optimal (free, but with waitlists) |
| Premium Narrator Selection | Extensive professional narration catalog | Limited to library-owned editions |
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes