Softwr

Publishing · head to head

Kobo vs Storytel

Kobo logo

Kobo

Publishing

Rakuten e-reader hardware, app and ebook store, the reader-facing side of the Kobo ecosystem

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Storytel logo

Storytel

Publishing

Unlimited audiobook and ebook subscription, strong in Europe and Latin America, no library card needed

From
$14.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Kobo has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Kobo the overall ebook and audiobook catalogue, especially exclusive or first-run titles, is smaller than Amazon can offer through Kindle and Audible.; Storytel catalogue depth and specific title availability vary significantly by country, so the experience in a core Nordic market is not the same as in newer markets.
  • They diverge on capability: Kobo covers E-ink devices, Storytel covers Unlimited streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Kobo and Storytel actually diverge.

Attributes where Kobo and Storytel differ
AttributeKoboStorytel
Starting priceFree$14.99/month
Pricing modelFree store and app; hardware sold separately; optional subscriptionPer user per month, unlimited
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, Kobo e-readersiOS, Android, Web

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Publishing).

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 Kobo

  • E-ink devices
  • EPUB support
  • Built-in Libby integration
  • Kobo Plus
  • Kobo Store
  • Note-taking models

Only in Storytel

  • Unlimited streaming
  • Offline downloads
  • Combined ebook and audiobook catalogue
  • Kids profiles
  • Personalised recommendations
  • Multi-device sync

What people use each for

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

Kobo

  • A reader who wants dedicated e-ink hardware instead of reading on a backlit phone or tabletnot Storytel
  • Someone who borrows heavily from a public library and wants OverDrive integration built directly into the devicenot Storytel
  • A reader outside the Amazon ecosystem who wants an open EPUB-based alternative to Kindlenot Storytel
  • Someone who wants the option of both buying individual ebooks and an unlimited subscription from one storenot Storytel

Storytel

  • A commuter who listens to several audiobooks a month and finds per-title purchase or credit systems expensivenot Kobo
  • A reader tired of library holds queues who wants guaranteed instant access to anything in the cataloguenot Kobo
  • A family wanting a shared subscription with separate kids profiles for audio contentnot Kobo
  • Someone in a Storytel-strong market such as Sweden, Poland or Brazil where the catalogue depth is greatestnot Kobo

Where each one falls short

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

Kobo

  • The overall ebook and audiobook catalogue, especially exclusive or first-run titles, is smaller than Amazon can offer through Kindle and Audible.
  • Kobo Plus, the unlimited subscription layer, is not available in every country the hardware and store otherwise serve.
  • Hardware pricing for higher-end note-taking models runs into the several-hundred-dollar range, which is a real commitment against reading on a phone for free.
  • Software updates and app polish have historically lagged the Kindle app in some regions, particularly around syncing and highlighting features.
  • This is a distinct product from Kobo Writing Life, and readers looking for author or publishing tools need that separate platform, not this one.

Storytel

  • Catalogue depth and specific title availability vary significantly by country, so the experience in a core Nordic market is not the same as in newer markets.
  • Access stops the moment you cancel, so a lapsed subscriber loses the ability to continue books they were partway through, unlike owned audiobook purchases elsewhere.
  • Its ebook catalogue is meaningfully smaller than dedicated ebook services, so heavy ebook readers may find it thinner than expected.
  • It competes on unlimited access, so heavy listeners get better value than light users, who may find a credit-based service like Libro.fm or Audible cheaper per book.
  • Pricing and plan structure have changed by market over time, so the number of concurrent profiles and exact price should be checked for your specific country.

Pricing, plan by plan

Kobo

Free
  • Kobo app and storeFree
    • Free app and store, pay per ebook or audiobook
    • Hardware sold separately, from around $110 for entry e-readers
    • Full library of individual purchases
  • Kobo Plus$9.99/month
    • Unlimited access to a Kobo Plus catalogue
    • Available in supported countries only
    • Layered on top of the regular store

Storytel

$14.99/month
  • Storytel$14.99/month
    • Unlimited audiobook streaming
    • Smaller unlimited ebook catalogue
    • Offline downloads

Which should you pick?

Choose Kobo if

  • You need e-ink devices.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, Kobo e-readers.
  • You also want epub support.
Kobo review

Choose Storytel if

  • You need unlimited streaming.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want offline downloads.
Storytel review

Questions people ask

Is Kobo or Storytel better?
Neither clearly leads. Kobo starts at Free and Storytel at $14.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Kobo or Storytel?
Kobo has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Kobo and $14.99/month for Storytel.
Does Kobo or Storytel run on more platforms?
Kobo runs on iOS, Android, Web, Kobo e-readers. Storytel runs on iOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Kobo for free?
Yes. Kobo has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Storytel starts at $14.99/month.
What is Kobo best used for?
Kobo is most often used for a reader who wants dedicated e-ink hardware instead of reading on a backlit phone or tablet, someone who borrows heavily from a public library and wants overdrive integration built directly into the device, a reader outside the amazon ecosystem who wants an open epub-based alternative to kindle, someone who wants the option of both buying individual ebooks and an unlimited subscription from one store. Of those, a reader who wants dedicated e-ink hardware instead of reading on a backlit phone or tablet and someone who borrows heavily from a public library and wants overdrive integration built directly into the device are not what Storytel is typically brought in for.
What can Kobo do that Storytel cannot?
Kobo covers E-ink devices, EPUB support, Built-in Libby integration, Kobo Plus. Storytel covers Unlimited streaming, Offline downloads, Combined ebook and audiobook catalogue, Kids profiles.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Kobo: Is this the same as Kobo Writing Life?

No, Kobo Writing Life is the separate self-publishing platform for authors; this entry is the consumer reading app, store and hardware.

Storytel: Do I need a library card for Storytel?

No, it is a paid subscription open to anyone regardless of library eligibility.

Kobo: Can I borrow library books on a Kobo device?

Yes, many Kobo devices have built-in OverDrive/Libby integration for direct library borrowing.

Storytel: Is access unlimited or credit-based?

Unlimited streaming while subscribed, not a credit system like Libro.fm or Audible.

Kobo: Do I need a subscription to use Kobo?

No, you can buy ebooks and audiobooks individually; Kobo Plus is an optional unlimited add-on where available.

Storytel: What happens to my books if I cancel?

You lose access to the catalogue, including anything you were partway through, since nothing is owned outright.

Share

Related pages

More on Kobo

More on Storytel

Keep looking

Other head to heads