10 Best Audiobook Services for Distribution in 2024 & Costs

• Nov 22, 2024
• 7 min read

• Tags: Self-Publishing

In the digital age, your audiobook’s success depends on smart distribution. This guide explores the features and market reach of the 10 best audiobook distributors. 

Many of these distributors also provide audiobook production services. This includes recording, adding music, and providing narrators for your audiobook. So let’s look at the best audiobook distribution options for your audiobook in this guide. 

Top 10 audiobook distribution services

PaperTrue, Amazon’s Audiobook Creation Exchange, Apple Books, Scribd, and Google Playbooks are included in this list. Kobo, Author Republic, Findaway Voices, Publish Drive, Overdrive, Lantern Audiobooks, and Author Republic are other audiobook distribution platforms. 

Let’s explore their features in detail! 

1. PaperTrue 

PaperTrue can distribute your audiobook to 49 platforms, including Audible, Google Play Books, Kobo, Overdrive, Bookmate, Gardners, Apple Books, Findaway Voices, etc. We also provide immersive narration services for your audiobook. 

For distribution, we have two plans: 1) A basic audiobook plan for publishing only on Google Play ($250) and 2) A full audiobook plan for publishing on Google Play, Apple Books, Kobo, and 49 other platforms ($850). 

2. Amazon’s Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) 

One of the most popular distributors, authors can use ACX to access Audible and Amazon’s huge audience. Furthermore, using ACX’s tool Audiolab, authors can get feedback on their audio files, ensuring they meet submission guidelines. 

ACX also connects you with narrators to enhance your story. To use ACX, create a free account and claim your title (for your eBook published on Amazon). 

Once you claim your title, you can upload your audio script with a detailed description of the projection and performance notes. 

Royalties: Exclusive on Audible (40%), Not exclusive on Audible (25%), Right holders and producers (20%) 

3. Google Playbooks 

Using Google Playbooks, authors can reach more than 3 million readers in 75+ countries. It also allows users to create 3 promotional campaigns where each campaign allows users to generate  5000 promo codes. 

For various countries, including India, Australia, Argentina, France, Germany, and Canada, Google Playbooks also allows the sale of auto-narrated books. Publishers choosing to upload their book on Google Play Books will earn a 52% revenue share from the sale of autonarrated books. 

However, users in several countries, including Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, etc., do not yet have access to these audiobooks.

4. Findaway Voices 

This tool by Spotify helps authors expand their reach through platforms like Spotify, Apple Books, Amazon, and Kobo. Scribd, Chirp, Hoopla, Baker & Taylor are some major distributors it partners with. To upload your book, you can create an account for free on Amazon. 

Findaway Voices also allows authors to keep 100% of royalties for books sold through Spotify and 80% royalties for other platforms. There are no distribution fees for distributing audiobooks on Spotify. Furthermore, Findaway Voices also provides insights into how listeners are finding your book on Spotify. 

5. PublishDrive 

PublishDrive helps authors distribute their books on all major platforms including Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Google Playbooks, and Barnes& Noble. OverDrive, Scribd, and Dreame are other publishing platforms it distributes to. 

To use PublishDrive, you need to opt for a free or a paid plan. The paid plan costs start from $13.99 per month. 

6. OverDrive 

Using OverDrive, you can distribute books in 100+ countries in multiple languages. With a network of 92,000 schools, libraries, and universities, OverDrive can help you reach a vast audience. 

OverDrive can promote your audiobook through email marketing and its apps Libby and Sora. Unlike other platforms, OverDrive offers no-cost merchandising and promotion. Using OverDriveConnect, authors can also track their book sales and find useful guidelines for publishing audiobooks. 

OverDrive’s primary revenue stream is through licensing fees charged to libraries, schools, and universities. These fees cover the cost of acquiring digital content, including audiobooks, from publishers. The revenue OverDrive generates is largely dependent on the number of libraries and schools that purchase bundles of books from their platform.

7. Apple Books 

To distribute your book through Apple Books, you need to select a preferred partner. PaperTrue, Draft2Digital, Ingram Core Source, Publish Drive, and Bookwire are reliable audiobook distribution services you can choose from. 

Apple Books also allows you to create a product page for your book. This enables authors to add reviews, ratings, a book description, and a book cover for your book. Furthermore, Apple Books also provides an Affiliate Program to promote audiobooks. 

Apple doesn’t charge authors or publishers directly for distributing their audiobooks. Instead, they have a commission-based model where Apple takes a portion of the sales revenue. 

8. Scribd 

Scribd directly works with big publishing houses and distribution platforms to publish audiobooks. You can publish your audiobook on Scribd through distribution platforms like Findaway Voices, Publish Drive, OverDrive, etc. 

To upload an audiobook, you need to create an account on Scribd. Anyone who wishes to create an account must be at least 18 years old. 

Scribd’s primary revenue comes from subscription fees. Subscribers gain access to a vast library of content, including audiobooks. 

As an author, your earnings from Scribd are based on the number of subscribers who listen to your audiobook. Scribd typically pays authors a portion of their subscription revenue based on usage metrics.

9. Kobo Writing Life

To self-publish an audiobook on Kobo Writing Life, you need to create an account. From Kobo’s dashboard, you can easily create a new audiobook and add all important details (author’s name, book title, publication date, release date, ISBN, etc). 

Kobo only accepts audio files in .mp3 format. An individual file cannot exceed 200 MB and all files combined cannot be more than 2 GB in size. For audiobooks, authors will receive 45% of the list price in royalties (as long as the list price is more than or equal to $2.99). 

10. Author Republic 

Author Republic offers a wide range of services, including audiobook production, distribution, and marketing. They can distribute your audiobook on various platforms, including Spotify, Audible, Apple, Google Play, Libby, etc. Their pricing structure is typically based on the scope of the project and the services you require. 

It also provides options for narrators for your audiobook.  It allows authors to set promo codes for book distribution. 

Once you create an account, Author Republic pairs you up with a production manager best suited to your book’s requirements. This production manager then finds a suitable narrator, edits final files, and adds any music to your audiobook. 

Benefits of audiobook distribution services 

Audiobook distribution services help your book reach a wider audience. Following are some other benefits of audiobook distribution services: 

• • • Potential for higher royalties: Some services offer competitive royalty rates, allowing you to earn more from your audiobook sales.
    • Marketing and promotional support: Many services offer marketing and promotional tools to help you reach more listeners.
    • Access to production services: Some services offer production assistance, including narration, editing, and mastering.
    • Professional credibility: Being listed on a reputable audiobook platform can add credibility to your book.

How to choose the right audiobook distribution service? 

To select the right service, decide whether you want to target a wider audience or a specific niche (e.g. platforms specifically for Young Adult fiction). Then, make a list of platforms suitable for your book and compare their features and pricing. 

Check the marketing and advertising tools they offer and any royalty rates. Also, analyze whether they charge any distribution fees. 

If you want to create an audiobook from scratch, analyze if they provide any production services. Furthermore, to analyze the credibility of the service, read reviews and customer testimonials. 

Practical tips for audiobook distribution 

After selecting audiobook publishers and distributors, make a detailed spreadsheet of your book’s metadata. This includes the audiobook’s title, author, narrator, description, genre, ISBN, release date, and pricing information. You can use this same information while uploading your audiobook on different platforms. 

Here are some other practical tips for distribution: 

1. Create a compelling audio sample: Choose an engaging 5-minute excerpt from your audiobook. Many platforms use this to hook potential listeners.

2. Optimize your audiobook cover: Ensure your audiobook cover art looks good as a small thumbnail. Use bold fonts and contrasting colors for better visibility on mobile devices. You can also take inspiration from the best book covers of books like A Clockwork Orange, Night Shift, River Sing Me Home, etc. 

3. Create series links: If your book is a part of a series, in the audiobook’s description, mention this fact and list the other books. Furthermore, use a uniform series name across all books (e.g., “The Dresden Files: Book 1”, “The Dresden Files: Book 2”).

4. Format correctly: Ensure your audio files are in MP3 format, 192 kbps or higher, and have consistent volume levels throughout.

5. Price strategically: Research competitor pricing in your genre. You can offer a lower price initially to attract listeners. Increasing the cost gradually may work well.

6. Promote your audiobook: You can promote your audiobook on social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, X, etc. If you’ve joined any book review clubs or writing communities, you can also promote your book there. 

Choosing the best audiobook services is crucial for maximizing your reach and earnings. By leveraging the platforms mentioned above, you can ensure your audiobook reaches its widest possible audience. 

At PaperTrue, we can help you easily create and distribute your audiobook. Furthermore, we also provide professional editing and proofreading services and formatting for your audiobook. 

Here are some useful resources for you: 

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Priya

Priya has a talent for academic research and enjoys simplifying complex topics. When she's not helping students improve their writing, she can be seen reading poetry, playing the harmonium, or learning classical dance.