AUDIOBOOK SUBSCRIPTION REVIEW: Libro.fm
If I have any friends who are audiobook fans, I'm trying out a new service called Libro.fm
They're a lot like Amazon’s Audible, but Libro.fm distinguishes themselves by partnering with local independent bookstores and shares audiobook sales with a local independent book store of your choice. Additionally they offer DRM-free downloadable files you can play on any device, and they offer your first month for free OR if you use the promo code SWITCH they'll give you three credits for the price of one month for your first month. Also, CREDITS NEVER EXPIRE. They also have excellent customer service, and were able to respond to an email inquiry about the availability of a title in less than 12 hours (and if the email signature can be believed, the reply came from the CEO).
Unfortunately the answer to my inquiry was that they can’t get that title until a year after publication due to an exclusive licensing deal with Audible. Sadly, Libro.fm’s catalog is smaller than Audible's and, of course, Libro.fm does not offer seamless integration with Alexa or Kindle. They also only seem to only offer one type of subscription plan (1 credit per month), whereas Audible offers options for 1 or 2 credits per month (and apparently some folks are still on an older bimonthly "Silver" plan), or the ability to subscribe on an annual basis. Libro.fm's website and app isn't exactly as user friendly as Audible either. I find it annoying that if I want to purchase an audiobook without using a credit (because they have some great sale prices!), I have to manually enter my payment information instead of it offering to use the same payment method my membership was charged to. I also think it's harder to dig up their recommendations and sales. On that note, strangely they don't have user reviews on their website for their audiobooks. (Though to be fair they do allow returns if you but an audiobook and decide you’re not into it.) Their app does not support in-app purchases, which I count as a weakness because Audible now does if you're paying with a membership credit (at least on iOS you can’t make a cash purchase using the app on either service).
There are also other perks of being an Audible member that Libro.fm simply does not match. Audible benefits include: 2 complimentary Audible originals per month (from a short list of selected titles) in addition to your credits, the ability to buy 3 additional credits at a discounted rate after exhausting subscription credits, and Audio Shows.
I love the independent book store connection for Libro.fm (I’m currently supporting Vroman’s in Pasadena), and I also love that I can own DRM-free (or cage-free as they lovingly refer to it) audiobook files I can download and use on any device. I’m a longtime Audible member, and I’ve wondered more than once what might happen to my audiobook library if Amazon ended up having disagreements with a publisher, or dare I suggest some day decides to stop offering or supporting Audible? Maybe there are answers in the fine print, and maybe these fears are baseless, but there’s a certain peace of mind that DRM-files offer. At the same time, being a long time Audible member means I have a lot of books in my audiobook library, and I’ve had an excellent experience with them over the years.
I haven't cancelled my Audible subscription, and honestly I'm not planning to. There's too many authors/titles that Libro.fm lacks for me to seriously consider jumping ship, despite their merits (DRM-free files, supporting local bookstores, and credits that never expire). Also, the idea of having my audiobook library substantially split between multiple apps sounds like a headache. I came across Libro.fm because they're the service used by an online book club I joined, but I don't think I'll be keeping up a paid subscription apart from that. BUT for people who value DRM-free files, support local indy book stores, or just want to take advantage of getting three audiobooks for $15 (code SWITCH), it's a pretty cool service to consider. And if you mostly read NYT bestsellers, then you might not even notice the smaller selection.
If anyone's interested in taking advantage of the three for the price of one credit offer (code SWITCH) or the first month free, here's my referral link (and then I'll get a free credit too): https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm128483
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