Alternatives to Audible Whispersync

Amazon Audible is one of the biggest audiobook providers worldwide, and one of their services is Amazon Whispersync for Voice, which adds audible narration to the Kindle library. If you have Audible or Audible Plus membership, you can listen to the same audiobook on different devices without losing your progress by using Whispersync for Voice.

Undoubtedly, synchronizing audiobooks for immersion reading across devices comes in handy, but there are other ways to listen to audiobooks. Perhaps you’re wondering what options and formats are available, especially if you want to avoid paying a hefty subscription fee.

Here are a few alternatives to Audible Whispersync for avid audiobook listeners.

How Does Whispersync Kindle Work?

Imagine you’re enjoying the latest New York Times bestseller on the Audible app on your iPhone, but the battery dies. You can continue listening to your audiobook on your Apple iPad – or begin to read on the Kindle edition – with the help of the Whispersync feature.

Essentially, Whispersync remembers the last page you were on, your bookmarks, and your notes across all devices. Of course, to enjoy the benefits of this function, you need an Audible subscription and Audible credits.

You must enable Whispersync settings on your Amazon account. All you need to do is go to the “Manage Content and Devices” section and look for “Whispersync Device Synchronization.” This makes it easy to buy Kindle versions and Audible books in order to use them together. Remember that you can try this service for free if you make the most of the Audible 30-day trial.

Audible is not an ideal choice for everyone, however, and there are other fantastic ways to enjoy free audiobooks or sign up for less expensive memberships. While it’s hard to find a one-for-one alternative to Audible Whispersync, you can consider some of these great alternatives. The good news is that all of these apps and programs act as virtual audio- and e-book matchmakers, suggesting new reads based on your Kindle and digital libraries.

Best Alternative Audiobook Services

Whether you enjoy fiction, non-fiction, short stories, or poetry, you can find an audiobook service that suits your needs in order to build your digital library. Some of the platforms listed below offer new releases, and others focus on public domain titles, but you can find a good book using any of the options.

Libby (by OverDrive)

Did you know that your local library is one of the best sources for great audio companions? All you need is a local library card, and you can borrow new books. For a while, the go-to app that facilitated this option was OverDrive. However, its sister platform, the Libby app, is going to replace it. Libby contains catalogs from a vast network of public libraries and allows you to create wish lists. Once you sync one of these apps with your library account it’s smooth sailing to find your next beloved novel.

Spotify and Podcasts

Something you might not have considered is listening to podcasts about books on Spotify and enjoying audiobooks in small increments. Titles like The Wizard of Oz and Anne of Green Gables are available on the platform. The good news is that even though you can pay for Spotify Premium with a monthly subscription, a free version is also available.

LibriVox

LibriVox might be the right choice if you’re looking for an excellent Audible library alternative. It gives you unlimited access to over 50,000 audiobooks categorized by genre.

Titles are available in 30 different languages other than English, and you can download audiobooks to listen to them offline – no wi-fi required. Furthermore, LibriVox always updates its catalog and comes with a dedicated mobile app.

Kobo Books

Another popular Audible.com alternative is Kobo Books. The platform has an impressive catalog with over five million e-books and audiobooks. You can listen to previews for audiobooks before committing to a specific title. Other notable features include a sleep timer, night mode, and auto-syncing.

Apple Books

Apple Books, available on iOS devices, offers a similar synchronization feature for e-books and audiobooks. It allows you to sync your reading progress across all your Apple devices using iCloud, so you can seamlessly switch between devices.

Google Play Books

Unlike Kobo or Audible, Google Play Books doesn’t involve paying a subscription fee. You can create or use your Google account, and purchase audiobooks directly from Google’s catalog. Since 2013 when Google introduced the platform, the number of audiobooks available has increased significantly.

Today, iOS and Android users can enjoy over five million audio versions of bestsellers, classics, and new releases.

Downpour

With over 80,000 audiobooks, Downpour is a decent alternative to Audible. You can find many titles by authors like Dan Brown, Karin Slaughter, and many more. Sleep timers and different narration speeds are only some of the available features that make Downpour a great choice. The app is available for free and as a premium version.

Libro.FM

One of the best ways to support your local bookstore and enjoy audiobooks is by using Libro.FM. This platform allows you to purchase books directly from bookstores in your area. When you sign up for the service, you’ll have the option to choose your preferred bookstore, so you’ll know they are benefiting from your purchase.

Speechify—Listen to Anything You Want

Many people prefer listening to reading because it helps with their attention span and focus. If you enjoy audiobooks, perhaps you can benefit from having other types of digital text read aloud. If you use Speechify, a reliable screen reader, you can go through text like documents, web pages, and emails in no time.

With Speechify, you choose your reading speed and pick one of many natural-sounding voices. The service is available online as a Google Chrome extension but also as Android and iOS mobile apps. Try Speechify for free today and listen to any text read aloud. You could even hear your email read by Snoop Dogg.

FAQs

Do you need Audible for Whispersync?

You do not have to pay for an Audible membership to use Whispersync for Voice. You do, however, need to install the free Amazon Audible app so you can listen to your book on your mobile device. Using your existing Amazon account credentials for the Audible app is vital.

Is there something like Audible for e-books?

Many Kindle e-Books come with integrated Audible narration. Kindle and Audible are two separate services offered by Amazon, but they are related and integrated to provide users with a comprehensive reading and listening experience. If you’re using the Kindle Unlimited subscription service, many eBooks come with Whyspersync functionality.

Do all audiobooks have Whispersync?

Not all Audible audiobooks have Whispersync enabled, but the number continues to grow. It’s easy to see which titles come with Whispersync. Look for the tablet and smartphone next to the “Whispersync for Voice-Ready” tag.

What are the benefits of Whispersync?

The most significant benefit of Whispersync is seamless synchronization from one mobile device to another. You can switch from the Audible app on your iPhone to your Kindle or Windows device without losing track of your progress.

• Seamless synchronization: As mentioned, Whispersync allows users to switch between devices without losing their progress in the content they are consuming. Whether it’s an e-book, audiobook, or any other digital content, Whispersync keeps track of where you left off, making it convenient to continue from where you stopped.
• Multi-platform support: Whispersync works across various devices and platforms, including Kindle e-readers, Kindle apps, Audible versions, and compatible Kindle Fire tablets. This level of cross-platform compatibility enhances the user experience and flexibility, allowing users to access their library’s content on multiple device types with ease.
• Progress tracking: Whispersync not only syncs the location of your content but also bookmarks, notes, and highlights. This feature ensures that all your annotations and interactions with the content are saved and accessible across devices, making it convenient for study or reference purposes.
• Backup and Restore: Whispersync provides a backup of your reading progress and settings, which can be useful if you accidentally delete content or get a new device. When you sign in with the same account on a new device, it will automatically restore your progress and settings.
• “Immersion Reading”: This feature, available for certain titles on Audible, combines e-books with audiobooks, allowing users to read the text while listening to the corresponding narration. Whispersync ensures that both formats stay in sync, making the reading experience more engaging and immersive.
• Offline reading/listening: Whispersync allows you to download your content for offline access. This is particularly useful when you are in areas with limited internet connectivity, such as during travel or in remote locations with no Wi-Fi.
• Syncing across different formats: With Whispersync, you can switch between reading an e-book and listening to its audiobook version seamlessly. This flexibility caters to different reading preferences and situations.
• Whispercast: For schools, businesses, or organizations using Kindle devices, Whispercast is a service that enables centralized management of content distribution and device settings, making it easier to deploy content and manage multiple devices efficiently.