Open source alternative to Audible
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Host your audiobook and podcast library on your own server with per-user progress tracking, multi-format streaming, and mobile apps.
You have folders of mp3 and m4b files and want a streaming server that organizes them, fetches metadata, and serves them to your phone or browser. Audiobookshelf indexes your directory structure, handles format streaming, and tracks where you stopped.
You do not own the audio files and want an integrated store with purchasing built in. Audiobookshelf manages files you already have; it is not a bookstore.
Multi-user support with custom permissions means each family member gets their own listening history, bookmarks, and queue on the same server. No shared account confusion or overwritten progress.
You need DRM-protected content from a purchased Audible subscription. Audiobookshelf cannot play DRM-locked files, so your Audible purchases stay in the Audible app.
Subscribe to podcasts, configure auto-download rules, and build a local archive with no dependency on third-party hosts staying online. The RSS export lets you share feeds or import them into other apps.
You primarily listen to live or time-sensitive podcasts and do not need a local archive. A hosted podcast app is simpler for that workflow.
Your listening history, progress, and queue state live on your own server. No third-party analytics, no cross-device tracking by a commercial platform, and no account required on external services for core functionality.
You need social features like shared playlists or activity feeds visible to others. Audiobookshelf is a personal and family server, not a social listening platform.
Most audiobook and podcast listeners pay for access they do not own. Subscription platforms like Audible bundle the content store with the streaming layer, which means your library, your progress, and your listening history all live on a server you do not control. Cancel or switch services and you start over.
Podcast apps add a second layer of this problem: sync, history, and queue state live in cloud accounts tied to platforms that change business models, shut down, or sell user data. Listeners who prefer to manage their own files and progress have historically had no good self-hosted option that matched the polish of commercial apps.
Streams all audio formats on the fly without pre-conversion, including mp3, m4b, m4a, ogg, flac, aac, and more. No transcoding setup is required from the user; the server handles format compatibility at playback time for the web app and mobile clients.
Tracks listening position independently for each user account on the server. Progress syncs across the web app, Android app, and iOS app so you can switch devices mid-chapter without losing your place. Each user has separate bookmarks, history, and queue.
Search and subscribe to podcasts, download episodes automatically on a configurable schedule, and generate open RSS feeds for any audiobook or podcast library. Episode management and auto-download rules are configurable per feed.
Edit or look up chapter markers using the Audnexus API, fetch cover art and metadata from multiple sources, and embed metadata and cover images directly into audio files. Multiple audio files can be merged into a single m4b.
Android and iOS apps connect to your self-hosted instance for mobile playback and progress sync. Both apps are fully open source under GPL-3.0. Chromecast support in the web and Android apps enables streaming to a TV or speaker without a separate device.
Basic ebook support handles epub, pdf, cbr, and cbz formats in an in-browser reader. Kindle users can send ebooks directly from the library to their device without a separate app or file transfer workflow.
Audiobookshelf and Audible address the same core need: delivering audiobooks to listeners. The key difference is ownership. Audible is a subscription store where Amazon owns the infrastructure; Audiobookshelf is a self-hosted server where you own the library.
| Feature | Audiobookshelf | Audible |
|---|---|---|
| License | GPL-3.0 | Proprietary |
| Self-hosting | Yes | No |
| Content store | No (bring your own files) | Yes |
| DRM | None | Yes |
| Pricing | Free (self-hosted) | Subscription required |
Audiobookshelf is the better choice when you own DRM-free audio files, want to self-host your library on your own infrastructure, need multi-user support for a household, or want podcast and ebook management alongside audiobooks in a single app. The GPL-3.0 license means no subscription fees, no per-book credits, and no dependency on Amazon's service continuity.
Audible makes more sense if you want access to its catalog and the tight integration between its store, library, and player across Amazon's device ecosystem. Audiobookshelf cannot serve DRM-protected Audible purchases, so the two are not interchangeable for buyers who actively purchase through Audible's store.
The core decision is whether your library lives in files you own. If yes, Audiobookshelf provides a richer self-hosted experience with no ongoing cost. For collections built primarily through Audible purchases, those books remain in Audible's ecosystem unless acquired elsewhere.
Audiobookshelf plays DRM-free audio files. Audible books purchased through Amazon use Audible's proprietary DRM and cannot be played in Audiobookshelf without first removing the DRM, which may not be legal in your jurisdiction. DRM-free audiobooks from other stores work without issue.
Yes. Android and iOS apps are available, both currently in public beta. The Android app is on the Google Play Store. The iOS TestFlight beta is currently at the 10,000-tester cap; new testers should check the project's Discord for availability updates. Both apps are fully open source under GPL-3.0 and connect to your self-hosted server.
Audiobookshelf is installed via Docker using the official image. Full installation documentation is at audiobookshelf.org/docs/category/installation and covers Docker and other deployment methods. For remote access you will also need a reverse proxy (nginx, Traefik, or Caddy) with WebSocket support enabled.
Yes. Audiobookshelf supports multiple user accounts with custom permissions and separate progress tracking per user. Each user's listening history, bookmarks, and queue are independent, so sharing a server with family members does not mix listening histories.
Audiobookshelf streams all major audio formats on the fly without pre-conversion, including mp3, m4b, m4a, ogg, flac, opus, and aac. The server handles format compatibility at playback time, so there is no need to transcode your library before importing it.
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