With books transitioning to ebooks and audiobooks, there are all kinds of places to get them for free.
Some are free because the books are in the public domain and people have volunteered their time to record audio versions or make digital versions. Other books are free through different tools and resources available.
While I have an Audible account—and I highly recommend it—I only use Audible for the books I can’t find anywhere else. I always do a search at all the free places before using an Audible credit on a book.
1. Your Local Library (Use Their Resources!)
We’ll start with your local library, but you already know you can get free books from there. What you may not know is that several services have linked up with local libraries across the country to offer free digital and audiobooks through apps.
RB Digital used to be one of my favorites, but it has recently merged with Overdrive (another great app), and they’ve formed Libby. This app has most of the latest and greatest books. You may have to wait for some of them, just like with your actual library, but it’s worth the wait for free books! Just put a book on hold and get a different one that’s available to listen to in the meantime.
Ask about any other apps or tools they have to get some more free books.
2. LibriVox
This is where all of those books in the public domain are offered for free and there are so many great books in the public domain.
They have more than just books too. They have old speeches, the Constitution, and much more.
3. Open Culture
If you prefer audiobooks, Open Culture has all kinds of options for free.
They come in different formats, from mp3 to YouTube recordings to streaming versions, and even ebooks.
4. Project Gutenberg
Another place to get free audiobooks and ebooks. Not much more to say.
4. Spotify
Spotify isn’t just for music anymore. Not only do they have an amazing selection of podcasts, but their official audiobook playlist is expanding.
As a side note, almost all of Zig Ziglar’s old seminars and speeches are on Spotify. There is so much value in these, and if you were to buy them, it would cost several hundred dollars.
5. AudioFile Sync
AudioFile has a special section dedicated to free audiobooks for teens. It’s called Sync.
This is typically a summer program so you may have to wait until Spring, but keep this resource available.
6. Lit2Go
You’ll find audiobooks here, but there are also poems, plays, and more. It’s all formatted for a classroom setting, so it works great for kids — especially for homeschoolers.
7. Storynory
They offer a slew of free audio stories.
8. Loyal Books
More free public-domain audiobooks and ebooks. This is one of the best sources for that, but I put it lower on the list because many people are already familiar with this one. Don’t forget it though! It’s packed with free books.
9. Free-eBooks.net
All kinds of ebooks and audiobooks, including fiction and non-fiction.
10. Mind Webs
If you’re a science fiction lover, this is your haven! They have all kinds of sci-fi short stories, read with full dramatization.
11. Scribl
All of their books aren’t free, but they have a wide selection that is completely free.
They offer ebooks, audiobooks, and podcasts.
12. BBC Sounds
If you’re looking for radio shows, as well as podcasts and abridged audiobooks, the BBC has created this awesome free tool.
13. LearnOutLoud
This is a huge educational resource with thousands of free audiobooks.
14. Free Classic Audiobooks
I think you can guess what this is by the name. Practically all of the classics, including the Bible.
Actually, several places offer the Bible (ebook and audio) for free…
15. Free Audio Bibles
We all know you can read the Bible for free online. From Bible Gateway to the YouVersion Bible app (my personal favorite), but did you know you can get free audio Bibles as well?
I remember paying almost $100 for a dramatized version of the NIV. It was a book full of CDs. And it was awesome. But now it’s all free.
The sources I mentioned above both offer free audio versions of the Bible, and there are also entire websites dedicated to Bible audio. If you don’t want to use the Bible app or Bible Gateway, just do a quick Google search for “audio Bible” and you’ll find hundreds, if not thousands, of options.
