4 Answers2026-07-15 22:12:18
Apple Books does this seamlessly if you're in the Apple ecosystem. You can add your own audiobook files (like from CDs or other sources) to the Books app on a Mac, and they'll sync via iCloud to your iPhone and iPad, complete with progress. For purchased audiobooks from Apple, it's obviously automatic. It's not cross-platform to Android, but for iPhone+iPad users, it's built-in and free beyond the cost of the hardware.
3 Answers2026-07-15 20:06:45
I'm a bit skeptical of some of these 'free' apps that require a library card. It's free at the point of use, sure, but it's subsidized. I prefer truly free apps like Loyal Books or the LibriVox app, where the content is public domain and the app is supported by donations or ads. Their sync features are getting better, as mentioned earlier.
It's a philosophical preference. I like knowing the authors and narrators of the works I'm listening to were paid at some point (for public domain) and I'm not relying on a system that might be defunded. The sync might be a bit less polished, but it feels more sustainable to me.
6 Answers2026-07-15 09:38:13
One minor gripe with Libby: if you listen to a book, return it, and then borrow it again months later, it does remember your old progress and asks if you want to resume. That's good! But sometimes I want to start over, and it's a little stubborn about asking. A tiny interface quibble.
6 Answers2026-07-15 02:05:52
For those with a Plex Media Server already running: the PlexAmp app! It's primarily for music, but if you add your audiobooks to your Plex music library (organized properly with metadata), PlexAmp can play them.
And the killer feature is 'Plex Dash' or now built-in tracking—your play progress syncs across any device running PlexAmp because it's all tracked by the Plex server. You need a Plex Pass for PlexAmp, so it's not free, but if you already have a Plex server and a Plex Pass for other reasons, this is a seamless solution. The interface is gorgeous, and the sonic analysis features are cool bonuses.
3 Answers2026-07-15 16:55:24
What about accessibility features? Some of the dedicated player apps have really good text-to-speech for PDFs or EPUBs, or support for screen readers. If that's a need, it's worth looking at apps like Voice Dream Reader, though it's a paid app. For simple audio playback, most mainstream apps are decently accessible.
2 Answers2026-07-15 20:59:36
Here's a niche one: Downpour. They sell DRM-free audiobooks (which is huge), and they have a rental option that's cheaper than buying. Their free app, 'Downpour Player,' is where you listen. No subscription required to use the app or access your purchases.
The key benefit is the DRM-free part. You actually own the MP3 file, which you could theoretically play in any app. Their rental model is also unique—listen for 30 days for a fraction of the purchase price.