Libro.fm Review: The Ethical Alternative to Audible

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I kept hearing great things about Libro.fm in book clubs and on Reddit, so I finally decided to give it a try.

In this non-sponsored libro.fm review, I will share my experience and answer some common questions about the platform.

What makes Libro.fm stand out is that it’s a more ethical alternative to Audible (more on that later).

Don’t get me wrong, I am not an Amazon/ Audible hater by any means but Libro.fm offers a few things you won’t find on other major platforms like Audible.

One of the first things that stood out to me is their story, Libro.fm is 100% employee-owned, and part of your purchase supports a local bookstore of your choice

Libro.fm is one of few audiobook platforms that provide DRM-free audiobooks.

I am impressed with their extensive catalog of 500,000+ titles. Aside from Audible, I haven’t seen another platform with this much variety.

Explore my top recommended platforms, tools, and gadgets for audiobook lovers in the Resources section.

Read More: Libro.fm vs Audible

How Libro.fm Works?

You can create a free Libro.fm account and purchase audiobooks à la carte but they will cost you more.

I recommend signing up for Libro.fm membership. For $14.99/month, you will get

• 1 Credit to redeem for any audiobook of your choice
• 30% Discount on all audiobook purchases with cash
• Access to member-exclusive sales and deals

Note: You can sign up for Libro.fm membership using the promo code SWITCH and get 3 credits at sign up instead of 1

You can only purchase audiobooks in Libro.fm app using credits. If you want to buy an audiobook with cash or are not subscribed to Libro.fm membership, you will need to buy it from the website.

To purchase a book on the app, either tap Explore option to browse the catalog by genres or tap on the Search option to search for a title.

Once you have found the book you like, tap on the Get audiobook (1 credit) option and confirm your purchase.

Note: You can add a title to your wish list or send it as a gift to your loved ones from book’s details page

To access the purchased title, tap on the Library option in the app. Tap on the book cover to open the title and then tap on the Download audiobook option to download it on your device. 

Once the book is downloaded, tap on the Play option to start listening. The Libro.fm app player comes with the following playback controls and features.

1. Play/ Pause
2. Rewind 15 seconds
3. Forward 15 seconds
4. Playback Speed: Increase/ decrease narration speed
5. Sleep Timer
6. Create a Bookmark
7. Tracks & Bookmarks

The Menu section of the app gives you access to settings, wish list, your account information and more.

To purchase audiobook from Libro.fm website, you can either Search the title you are looking for or browse the catalog from Explore or Genres option in the top menu.

Once you have found the title you are looking for, click on the Add to cart option.

In the cart section, you can purchase the audiobook through credit or cash.

Once the audiobook is purchased, you can go to the Library section to access it.

You have options to listen the purchased title in the app (as shown above), download the audiobook or click on the Play now option to play the audiobook.

If you click on the Play now option, the audiobook will start playing in the Libro.fm web player.

You can also download the audiobook in mp3 or m4b formats by clicking on the Download files option.

Once you have downloaded audiobooks, you can listen on your favorite apps/ devices and backup or share as you like.

Note: You can buy or gift credit bundles from Libro.fm website and invite others to join Libro.fm through your referral link.

Related Article: How does Libro.fm work?

5 Reasons Libro.fm is an Ethical Alternative to Audible

Here are five reasons why I consider Libro.fm one of the most ethical choices out there.

1. Support to Local Bookstores

With every audiobook you buy on Libro.fm, a portion (usually 10–30%) goes directly to a local bookstore of your choice.

A part of your membership fee also goes to these independent bookstores.

According to Albee Romero, Publicity Director at Libro.fm, half of the profits from each purchase go back to your selected bookstore, as noted in The Orange County Register.

2. DRM-Free Audiobooks

Libro.fm is one of the few audiobook platforms that offer DRM-free audiobooks, or as they call them, cage-free audiobooks.

This gives you flexibility to listen to your audiobooks on device and apps of your choice.

You can download purchased audiobooks in mp3 or m4b formats and easily backup and share them without any platform restrictions.

I personally listen to Libro.fm audiobooks on Smart AudioBook Player on my Android and also use MP3 Player Headphones during walk and outdoor activities.

You truly own your audiobooks with Libro.fm.

3. Your Credits Never Expire

Libro.fm credits never expire and they are yours for life. You retain credits even after canceling your membership.

Related Article: How to cancel Libro.fm subscription

This is a major benefit as you can keep and use your credits at your own pace.

You can also gift audiobooks to your loved ones using credits. Audible credits expire after one year of the issue date.

 4. Easy Returns

You can return an audiobook on Libro.fm within 6 months of its purchase date.

The process is pretty simple.

• Email at hello@libro.fm or submit a support ticket
• Include the title of audiobook you want to return. In case of pre-orders, also include the purchase date or purchase ID

If you paid with cash, you will get the refund in your account. If you used a credit, you get the credit back to reuse.

Most of other major platforms do not allow returns unless the audiobook file is corrupt. Audible only allows returns on titles purchased with credits.

Read More: Libro.fm’s return policy

5. Free Audiobooks for Educators, Librarians & Booksellers

Libro.fm provides complementary audiobooks to educators, librarians, booksellers, reviewers, and influencers through their Audiobook Listening Copy Program.

The participants get a mix of new and upcoming audiobook releases each month. You can join ALC program with a free Libro.fm account.

Libro.fm doesn’t require authors to sign exclusive contracts. In fact, they encourage creators to distribute their books on as many platforms as possible, including Libro.fm

Where Libro.fm Falls Short?

While Libro.fm offers some standout features, there are a few areas where the service falls short compared to its competitors.

• No Free Trial: Libro.fm doesn’t offer a free trial for new users. This can be a major hurdle for audiobook fans who are curious about the service and want to explore it before committing to a paid membership.
• App Limitations: It is not possible to buy audiobooks a la carte in the Libro.fm app. You can only purchase books with cash from the website. It is also currently not possible to purchase credit bundles in the app.
•  Less Competitive Sales & Discounts: Audible frequently offers 2-for-1 credit deals, sitewide discounts, and cash discounts that go beyond the standard 30% off. Libro.fm needs more variety in their sale offerings.
• Room for a More Compelling Offering: I would love to see Libro.fm introduce more competitive pricing options, such as discounted annual or semi-annual plans. A curated catalog of free audiobooks for members, similar to Audible’s Plus Catalog, will also make the membership more attractive.
• No Customer Reviews: I always go through customers ratings and reviews when I pick an audiobook on Audible. This gives me good idea about narration and overall listening experience. Libro.fm ditches customer reviews in favor of bookseller recommendations. I find real listener feedback more valuable, especially when deciding if a narrator’s style will work for me.
• No Credit Discounts: Audible frequently offers its members to buy credits at a discounted price.

Libro.fm sells credits at a fixed $15 each, regardless of quantity. Introducing bundle deals or special credit offers could make memberships more attractive.

Libro.fm can also benefit from adding original or exclusive content, similar to Audible Originals.

Is Libro.fm Worth It?

If there’s one thing that stands out in this Libro.fm review, it’s my appreciation for the platform’s ethical approach to audiobooks.

While it has its own pros and cons, Libro.fm is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for:

• DRM-free Audiobooks: Truly own your audiobooks, Easy to backup and share with others. Listen on your favorite app or devices.
•  Support for Local Independent Bookstores: Instead of all your money going to Amazon, Libro.fm splits profits with your designated local bookstore.
• Extensive Audiobook Collection: Among Audible alternatives, Libro.fm has one of the most impressive libraries I have come across, featuring bestsellers, new releases, and indie titles alike.

In short, if you want to support local bookstores, care where your money goes, and want real ownership of your audiobooks, Libro.fm is absolutely worth considering.

I hope this honest Libro fm review helps you decide if Libro.fm is the right platform for you.