I have a secret: I really enjoy reading audiobooks along physical copies – especially when the audiobook is full-cast or has mixed-media elements to it like podcasts! And I’ve found that I’m consuming more audiobooks than ever since switching to LibroFM from Audible in 2019.
I want to first acknowledge my privilege. I am fortunate that I’m able to afford paying more for books to support local businesses. There are countless readers around the world who only have access to the books they want through their country’s Amazon store or Book Depository (which is owned by Amazon, in case you weren’t aware). I will never shame a reader for where they buy their books, but I do like to share alternatives whenever possible!
Why I Switched to LibroFM
Here’s the thing: I don’t like what Amazon has done to the publishing industry as a whole. While it has certainly democratized access and removed publishing barriers for non-traditionally published authors, it has also driven so many bookstores out of business as it corners the market and gains a monopoly. #RIP Borders 😭 (More on this is coming in a separate post.)
I was so happy to discover LibroFM: an audiobook alternative that supports independent bookstores! I adore my local indie Mysterious Galaxy and honestly want as many of my bookish dollars going to them whenever possible. As soon as I knew there was a comparable service to Amazon which aligned with my purchasing goals, I made the switch! If you want to check LibroFM out and support me too, please use my referral link.
Comparing LibroFM and Audible
When you look at the two audiobook services side-by-side, they are very similar. LibroFM has 150,000+ audiobooks Honestly, the only difference is that you don’t have access to the Audible Originals library – which could become an issue if Amazon continues to buy rights for audiobooks and make them exclusive, but for me? Everything I want is on LibroFM!
Try LibroFM Today with a Free Trial
(referral link)
LibroFM’s membership is comparable to Audible‘s as it is essentially the same price and gives you a credit for any audiobook that you want. Sure, you don’t get those two originals but I never really wanted the originals that were offered.
Note: LibroFM’s membership is only currently available to the United States & Canada. I do hope that they expand it soon so international readers can take advantage of membership credits for what’s available in their country.
While LibroFM’s membership is not currently a solution for users outside of the US and Canada, international readers can still take advantage of a la carte purchases.
On the search page, you can check for what’s available to you by filtering Country Availability (see above screenshot). The search results will only include the audiobooks available by the publisher in your country. In theory the access should be the same across platforms because publishers set the sale rights.
Sales & Author Events
LibroFM puts a large number of audiobooks on sale every month! One of my favorite things is that they have so many diverse titles on sale every month. And all the purchases support your chosen indie, win-win!
Want to attend author events but don’t have the access (or stuck in quarantine)? LibroFM now offers exclusive access to author events recorded live at independent bookstores!
LibroFM Also Offers Audiobook Listening Copies
Did you know that LibroFM also has an ALC program that has a selection of audiobook listening copies for review every month? The genres and age-range of the selection varies each month, and it’s a ‘Download It or Lose It’ scenario.
Depending on your status (bookseller, librarian, influencer) you will have access to a different set of audiobooks.
In my experience, I have not been limited to the number I redeem in any month. However, I’ve only received the first one as an advanced copy. The additional ones download into my account on publication date.
Request Access to LibroFM ALCs
As I mentioned, there are a few different curated lists that LibroFM has for their ALC program. To request access, all you need to do is fill out the form on their website.
I requested the reviewer/media list and was granted access to their influencer list last year; I think bloggers and reviewers will all fall under this category unless you write reviews for magazines or other publications.
The main criteria for the influencer list is to have at least 1,000 followers on any one platform (I’ve seen Twitter, IG, Blog all count). I’d recommend including your follower counts in the message field.
In Conclusion
If you love audiobooks, you definitely should check out LibroFM! Depending on where you are, it may not make sense to completely switch due to membership restrictions but I hope you check it out and maybe bookmark the sales page. It’s a relatively newer company and I hope it will provide much needed disruption to the industry!
Are you an audiobook listener? Have you checked out LibroFM?
What are some of your favorite audiobooks?
Let’s go on another adventure together!
Great post, love! I’ve grown so fond of LibroFM since joining their influencer ALC program. I love the idea of my money going to indie stores, plus I actually like their app & website interface better tbh! And, of course, anything I can do to stop giving Amazon so much money, lmao. We almost never buy audiobooks in our home because we’re privileged enough to have an out-of-state library card to a branch that’s part of a really great digital system, but whenever we do have audiobooks we want to buy, we plan on switching over to LibroFM, too. ♥
I am sososo thankful I found out about LibroFM and made the switch, and I agree their website and UI is so easy to use! Anything I can do to not support Amazon in general, but I truly think it is a better service, and I’m thankful to be able to avoid Amazon.
Everything has its pros and cons and it’s the same with Amazon. I know some friends who live in some not so remote areas, and yet, they never had a bookstore, not even now, in the twenty-first century. While learning is appreciated, as is knowledge, reading is something yet to be fully appreciated in India in tier 2 or tier 3 cities. What I mean is reading for leisure/pleasure, and that’s where Amazon comes in…😌
I agree with you, and I tried to be very clear in the post that I am fortunate enough to have options other than Amazon and the extra funds to be able to shop on other websites.
It says you can be GIFTED memberships so if you know someone from the US or Canada they can gift you.
Oooh this is excellent information to know, and I will definitely have to try and gift a non-US pal to see if it works. Thank you!
I wasn’t aware of this at all. I cancelled my Audible sub a few months ago (because hello pandemic and $$ uncertainties), but when I can rejoin I’ll definitely give this a shot. Would love to support indies more.
I’m so glad I was able to let you know about LibroFM existing – my mind was blown when I found out about it myself. I hope you enjoy it when you’re able to give it a try (and hopefully we all will return to some semblance of economic certainty soon).
Thanks for posting about this. I’ve recently been told about LibroFm and it’s piqued my interest even as my other subscription continues. The originals I’ve listened to tend to disappoint me more often than not (I’ve not listened to that many because I’m always afraid it’ll crash and burn!) so that doesn’t hold me all that closely to my commitment. I’ll have to look even closer at this now, especially if it helps Indie bookstores. Thank you!
I have never really been personally interested in the Originals on offer every month, so it became more of a space hog in my library than anything. I hope you check out LibroFM and like it – I personally prefer the layout and user interface of the app – and I love being able to support my indie (and being able to switch indies temporarily as needed)!
What are ALCs? Are they just audiobooks or are they ARCs ? Also LibroFM sounds awesome! I am going to check it out for sure 😀 (and if I decide to make the switch I will use your link!)
You got it – ALCs are Audiobook Listening Copies… basically early copies of audiobooks for review purposes! Unlike ARCs that may have a couple more rounds of editing, the ALCs are finished product. Ahhh, I hope you like LibroFM