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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Audible vs Libby

Audible 4.9★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner Tie
Libby 4.9★ · Free + IAP 75

Libby is the better choice for cost-conscious users who value free access to library content, while Audible is superior for those seeking a vast, immediately available catalog and a more polished app experience, provided they are willing to pay for a subscription.

Full reviews: Audible · Libby

Audible offers a massive selection of audiobooks and generally a good listening experience, but users frequently complain about its high cost and app performance issues. Libby provides free access to library books, making it an excellent value, though it suffers from limited availability, long wait times, and a less refined user interface.

Head to head

Content Library & Availability edge: AudibleR3R16R19R24
Audible Audible boasts a vast selection of audiobooks, with users praising the volume and variety of titles available R24. However, some users express frustration with specific content, such as AI-generated voices or offensive books R3R16R19.
Libby Libby offers a wide array of books and magazines, with users appreciating the ability to borrow many different titles for free . The main drawback is limited availability, leading to long wait times for popular books and a perception of a limited selection overall R69R83.
Ease of Use & App Performance tieR6R7R9R10
Audible Audible's app generally receives positive comments for its functionality and user-friendliness . However, recent updates have introduced significant issues, including slow performance, titles disappearing, sync problems, app crashes, and difficulties with navigation and customer support within the app R6R7R9R10.
Libby Libby is praised for being easy to sign up for and use, especially for borrowing books and managing holds R80. However, users frequently report glitchy behavior, login issues, poor search capabilities, and difficulty finding audio options .
Price & Value edge: LibbyR1R14R36R52
Audible Audible is perceived as expensive, with users complaining about the monthly subscription cost and the fact that purchased books are not retained if the membership is canceled R1R14R52R58. Some users also feel there is a constant 'hard sell' for additional purchases R36.
Libby Libby is highly valued for being free, allowing users to access a library of books without direct cost R62R80R101. The primary complaint related to value is the long wait times for popular books, which some users feel diminishes the free benefit R83R85R86.
Listening Experience edge: AudibleR2R5R8R10
Audible Many Audible users enjoy the listening experience, finding it immersive and engaging R2R5R8. However, some reviews mention issues with low volume, robotic or poor narration, and podcasts not playing in order R10R16.
Libby Libby users appreciate the ability to listen to audiobooks and find the audiobooks easy to listen to . However, there are complaints about erratic narration speed, difficulty finding audio options, and a lack of information about narrators .
Pick Audible if

you prioritize a vast, immediately accessible library of audiobooks and are willing to pay a subscription fee, especially if you value high-quality narration and a generally smooth listening experience .

Pick Libby if

you want free access to audiobooks and ebooks through your local library, are patient with wait times for popular titles, and are comfortable with a less polished app interface R62R80R101.

Evidence note: Recent reviews for Audible show a negative skew regarding app performance and features, which contrasts with its high lifetime rating. Many of Libby's negative reviews stem from the inherent limitations of a library system (wait times, limited copies) rather than app functionality itself. Both apps have some users expressing concerns about AI content.

Frequently asked

Can I keep books if I cancel my Audible subscription?
No, if you cancel your Audible membership, you will lose access to the books you purchased with credits, which many users find to be a 'greedy scam' R1R52R58.
Is Libby truly free?
Yes, Libby is free to use with a valid library card, allowing you to borrow ebooks and audiobooks without direct payment, as users often highlight it as a great benefit funded by taxes R62R80R101.
Why are there long wait times on Libby?
Libby operates like a traditional library, meaning there are a limited number of digital copies for popular books, leading to significant wait times, sometimes for weeks or months R69R83R85R86.
Does Audible's app have technical issues?
Yes, many recent reviews indicate that Audible's app has significant technical issues, including slow loading, titles disappearing, sync problems, random disconnections, crashes, and unresponsive features like the timer and customer support R6R9R12R15.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R3] Audible 3/5 · US Mostly good: I don’t like ai and offensive books being thrown in my face, however I do like listening to books.
  2. [R16] Audible 1/5 · US AI voice: It’s hard to listen to due too AI generated voice.
  3. [R19] Audible 1/5 · US Offensive to LGBTQIA+: This author is extremely critical of multiple authors of true crime and “liberals.” It’s just hard to listen to unless you are MAGA.
  4. [R24] Audible 3/5 · GB Love and irked by this app: I love this app and the volume & variety of books available but I don’t understand why it isn’t better. It’s expensive enough we deserve it to be better. 1) why do the Finished titles not remain in finished order? 2) why can’t you get a CSV download of all the details of all your finished titles? 3) why can’t you select & reorder the filter on the Audiobooks menu?
  5. [R6] Audible 3/5 · US Audible: It’s ok if you listen a lot but the titles disappear on the app and you have to goto the internet version and log in to find an audio book that you purchased and didn’t delete from the app. Customer support on the app doesn’t exist. If you click on it the entire app gets rebooted. You actually have to goto the internet version click on an d book you want to listen too and redownload it. I
  6. [R7] Audible 2/5 · US Inexplicably removed key feature in update: Last update got rid of the listen log feature which is a real damper on the app experience
  7. [R9] Audible 3/5 · GB Recent updates have made this app painfully slow: I have over 300 titles and going into my library takes over 20 seconds. However the ads still manage to load instantly.
  8. [R10] Audible 1/5 · US Podcast are Difficult to Find and Don’t Play in Order: Moving over from the Wondery app and trying to find the podcast and follow them is clunky and unintuitive. It is a complete downgrade in the experience I was use to with Wondery. Update: Dropping to 1-Star. Trying auto-play podcast in order is a nightmare. For example, you find a new podcast you like and want listen to oldest to newest…it wi
  9. [R1] Audible 1/5 · US Over 40 titles with audible and I’ll never purchase again.: Amazon’s new “Standard” plan doesn’t allow to you listen to the books you purchase when you cancel your membership. What a greedy scam, unbelievable.
  10. [R14] Audible 4/5 · US Price: Since I have been listening to free books from the library I feel Audible is a little expensive.
  11. [R36] Audible 3/5 · GB 2stars removed for the constant hard sell: While I enjoy audible a lot I’m plenty happy with my subscription and I don’t want the hard sell! I rarely spend my credits so recently I had a splurge by spending the 6 credits I had built up and I am happy with that I don’t need the hard sell!
  12. [R52] Audible 2/5 · GB Too expensive: Im a artist and I love painting while listening. To stories however in recent years thd price for books and podcasts have skyrocketed. I use the student discount for a monthly subscription which gives me a credit for one book a month. This is crazy considering you don’t even get to keep said book if you cancel your subscription! I’d boycott audible entirely if I didn’t enjoy reading
  13. [R2] Audible 5/5 · US Thanks: Loved it , you transported me to that time , scary but beautiful story, scary beautiful I’m would have been one of those unlucky people, I see myself like one of those children or woman, thanks you are great ❤️
  14. [R5] Audible 5/5 · US A chance at love: I love this book. The read was amazing.
  15. [R8] Audible 5/5 · US Keeping Kara: Oh wow this book was non stop action. This book had me laughing and crying. Love Kara and Arrow so much
  16. [R58] Audible 1/5 · GB Access to download content denied.: Use to be a great app. Really enjoyed listening to my downloaded content. Once your subscription ends you will be denied access to library content on your device, whether it is paid for or obtained using your free subscription token.
  17. [R62] Libby 5/5 · US Amazing: I can’t believe this is free
  18. [R80] Libby 5/5 · US WOW: Libby was so easy for me to sign up for. It allowed me to read so many books on my kindle for free! All you need is a library card and a few other things and you set. I highly recommend this app.
  19. [R101] Libby 5/5 · US Can’t believe it’s FREE: I mean, we pay for it with our taxes but it’s actually one benefit we can all receive! Woohoo!
  20. [R69] Libby 3/5 · US Ok: Great when books are available. A lot of common books have long waits or are just not in the system.
  21. [R83] Libby 4/5 · US More holds!: I love this app. I use it almost daily. As an avid audiobook listener, this app keeps me listening all of the time, however, there are many books im interested in that I have to put a hold on and I often have to cancel holds on books to get others because I want to read so many. I have had books on hold for weeks and then see something new and can get it sooner, so I have to cancel a
  22. [R85] Libby 1/5 · US Bring back the old loan system: Libby said that the new hold system would bring down loan times. For me they have increased. It's so frustrating. I'll put a book on hold and be 1st in line and still wait 2 months
  23. [R86] Libby 4/5 · US Great Asset: Wished we had access to more books instead of having to wait 3-4 months for books available. I almost always have 4-5 books on hold.
  24. [R12] Audible 3/5 · GB App needs work: The sync function is terrible and can take 5 seconds before it lets you resume play. I only use this on one device… it’s completely pointless and can’t be turned off. The app store is not easy to navigate. E.g. Audible regularly sends emails advertising sales, however the links take you to the website in a browser rather than the app. The app has no tab for the ‘members only’ sale,
  25. [R15] Audible 3/5 · GB Bug??: Love it but since last update it disconnects every few minutes which then needs a switch on again.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store