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Audible vs Libsyn

Audible logo

Audible

Software

Audiobooks as you've never experienced them

From
$7.95/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Libsyn logo

Libsyn

Software

The original podcast hosting platform since 2004

From
$5/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Audible auto renews monthly and must be cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current membership period, per the App Store listing; Libsyn basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month
  • They diverge on capability: Audible covers Audiobooks, Libsyn covers Reliable hosting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Audible and Libsyn actually diverge.

Attributes where Audible and Libsyn differ
AttributeAudibleLibsyn
Starting price$7.95/month$5/month
PlatformsIos, Android, Desktop, KindleWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19952004

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Audible

  • Audiobooks
  • Podcasts
  • Originals
  • Offline listening
  • Amazon Echo
  • Kindle
  • Apple Watch
  • Family library

Only in Libsyn

  • Reliable hosting
  • Advanced analytics
  • Monetization platform
  • Distribution network
  • Custom website
  • Ad insertion
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

Both cover

  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Audible

  • Audiobook listeningnot Libsyn
  • Podcast consumptionnot Libsyn

Libsyn

  • Hosting podcast audio and distributing it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTubenot Audible
  • Measuring audience with IAB certified download statisticsnot Audible
  • Monetising shows through advertising on enterprise plansnot Audible

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Audible

  • Auto renews monthly and must be cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current membership period, per the App Store listing
  • Renewal is charged at the rate of the selected plan within 24 hours before the end of each membership period, per the App Store listing

Libsyn

  • Basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month
  • Advanced IAB verified stats require the $25 per month Advanced plan; Basic gets basic stats only
  • Spotify video distribution requires the Advanced or Max plan
  • Dynamic ad insertion sits on Professional and Enterprise plans that are quoted by sales with no published rate
  • The top published tier, Max at $150 per month, still caps audio uploads at 55 hours per month

Pricing, plan by plan

Audible

$7.95/month
  • Plus$7.95/month
    • Plus catalog
    • Podcasts
  • Premium Plus$14.95/month
    • 1 credit/month
    • Plus catalog

Libsyn

$5/month
  • Classic 50$5/month
    • 50 MB monthly storage
    • Basic statistics
    • Podcast page
  • Classic 150$15/month
    • 150 MB monthly storage
    • Advanced statistics
    • Custom website
  • Advanced 400$20/month
    • 400 MB monthly storage
    • Premium analytics
    • Multiple shows
  • Advanced 800$40/month
    • 800 MB monthly storage
    • Full analytics suite
    • Priority support

Which should you pick?

Choose Audible if

  • You need audiobooks.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Desktop, Kindle.
  • You also want podcasts.
Audible review

Choose Libsyn if

  • You need reliable hosting.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want advanced analytics.
Libsyn review

Questions people ask

Is Audible or Libsyn better?
Neither clearly leads. Audible starts at $7.95/month and Libsyn at $5/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Audible or Libsyn?
Audible starts at $7.95/month and Libsyn at $5/month.
Does Audible or Libsyn run on more platforms?
Audible runs on Ios, Android, Desktop, Kindle. Libsyn runs on Web, Ios, Android.
What is Audible best used for?
Audible is most often used for audiobook listening, podcast consumption. Of those, audiobook listening and podcast consumption are not what Libsyn is typically brought in for.
What can Audible do that Libsyn cannot?
Audible covers Audiobooks, Podcasts, Originals, Offline listening. Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Advanced analytics, Monetization platform, Distribution network. Both handle Ios support, Android support.
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