Recommendation request for Free audiobook application?

By Vic, 26 August, 2017

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

Hi,

Having only recently switched from Android last week, I'm trying to figure out how to listen to audiobooks. The only way I've found is to use iTunes to sync the content to iBooks, which is unacceptable (its iTunes, enough said).

I know that I can play a single mp3 from within dropbox, but my audiobooks typically come in many smaller files. I've heard of the popular Voice Dream Reader app which has support for zipping up mp3s as an audiobook and importing that from e.g dropbox. I don't understand what functionality it offers (besides this) over say, iBooks to justify the $20 price tag. Hence, any suggestions for a free app would be welcome.

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Comments

By Roxann Pollard on Sunday, August 27, 2017 - 10:46

Personally, I use Audible from www.audible.com. If you have previously purchased any audio books from iTunes, they can be read through the Audible app. There are three ways to view your books in this app including Cloud, Device, and iTunes. If you select the iTunes button then any iTunes audio books will be pulled in. The audible app has a user friendly player screen including a sleep timer if interested. When considering a subscription to Audible.com, the most expensive level, at $229.00 US dollars gives you the best price per credit. One credit equals one book, in most cases, no matter the size of the book. When you consider that one audio book can be $30.00 or even $50.00, the price of $229.00 for 24 credits begins to not look quite so expensive, after all.

What I do is pay the regular price for a book, if it's not very expensive, say $5.00 or $10.00 and then utilize my credits for the really pricy books.

I hope this helps you in finding a solid audio book app.

By Vic on Sunday, August 27, 2017 - 10:46

In reply to by Roxann Pollard

Thanks for the recommendation.

That works really well for audible books, but i'd like to be able to import regular audio files.

By Dawn 👩🏻‍🦯 on Sunday, August 27, 2017 - 10:46

Hi. I'd consider getting the bard app. It's free, and if you're a U.S. citizen living in the U.S. or abroad, you qualify. It's free to sign up and it's free to download books. The app is free and it has the same interface as the audio book players they send you. Hope this helps.

By Dawn 👩🏻‍🦯 on Sunday, August 27, 2017 - 10:46

If you don't have access to bard, then I'd check into Bookshare. The app costs $20 but I've found it to work beautifully. Check out www.bookshare.org to see qualifications.
If you'<e got an account with them or bard, you're golden!

Also, if you don't have access to bard., I'd check and see if the library in your country has an app for dowloading audio books. I'm wibling to bet that they do.

By Vic on Sunday, August 27, 2017 - 10:46

In reply to by Dawn 👩🏻‍🦯

Hey Don,

Sorry I forgot to mention I'm not a US citizen, so don't get these goodies.

By Vic on Sunday, August 27, 2017 - 10:46

@Cab thanks, that sounds promising, will check that out.