Best Downpour Alternatives in 2026
The top Downpour alternatives are Libby, Hoopla and Audible: 15 audiobook apps our editors would look at instead of Downpour, in our ranking order.
Downpour: A flexible audiobook retailer with strong playback controls and offline listening. Where it falls short: no free plan or family-sharing option.
Switching from Downpour? For most audiobook apps buyers the best Downpour alternative is Libby, built for free library borrowing with broad device support. Storytel offers the most included catalog (800000 titles).
Why People Look for a Downpour Alternative
- No free plan or family-sharing option
- No verified integrations listed
- Publisher restrictions apply to some audiobook products
- No free plan — 8 of the alternatives below have it
- No dRM-free downloads — 2 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallLibby9.4
Free library borrowing with broad device support
Visit Libby - Best free optionLibby9.4
Has a free plan (Downpour has none)
Visit Libby - Most included catalogStorytel8.4
800000 titles
Visit Storytel - Best for drm-free downloadsLibro.fm8.8
DRM-free downloads (Downpour: no)
Visit Libro.fm
All 15 Downpour Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forFree library borrowing with broad device support
- Better than Downpour:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.5
A free library-borrowing app with strong playback controls and broad device support.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Libby -
Best forFree library access with entertainment extras
- Better than Downpour:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.5
A free library-card service with audiobooks, offline listening, and entertainment extras.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Hoopla -
Best forMainstream audiobook listeners
- Better than Downpour:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 7.5
A broad audiobook service with flexible listening, credits, and cross-device support.
- Family sharing
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Audible -
Best forDRM-free audiobook ownership
- Better than Downpour:
- DRM-free downloads
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.5
A flexible audiobook service for DRM-free ownership, memberships, and offline listening.
- DRM-free downloads
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Libro.fm -
Best forFamilies wanting audiobooks and ebooks
- Better than Downpour:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.5
A family-oriented audiobook and ebook subscription with offline listening and hour-based plans.
- Family sharing
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit BookBeat -
Best forUnlimited family audiobook streaming
- Better than Downpour:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.5
A mobile subscription with unlimited listening, reading, offline access and family options.
- Family sharing
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Storytel -
Best forKobo users wanting purchases or subscriptions
- Better than Downpour:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.5
A flexible choice for Kobo users who want purchases, offline listening, or subscriptions.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Kobo Books -
Best forSubscription listeners wanting a large catalog
- Better than Downpour:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.5
A subscription audiobook app with offline listening, unlocks, and an unlimited catalog.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Everand -
Best forLow-cost purchases with DRM-free options
- Better than Downpour:
- DRM-free downloads
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.5
A flexible audiobook store with low-cost club discounts and DRM-free downloads where available.
- DRM-free downloads
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit AudiobooksNow -
Best forFree borrowing from participating libraries
- Better than Downpour:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.5
A free library-borrowing app for audiobooks, eBooks, magazines and newspapers.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit BorrowBox -
Best forLibraries combining multiple digital vendors
- Better than Downpour:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.5
A free mobile app that brings library ebooks and audiobooks from multiple vendors together.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Palace -
Best forStudents using school library collections
- Better than Downpour:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.5
A free school-library app with offline audiobook listening and student reading tools.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Sora -
Best forPrivacy-focused library access
- Better than Downpour:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.7 vs 7.5
A privacy-focused library app with broad integrations, retired in August 2025.
7.7/10★★★★☆Learn about SimplyE -
Best forFlexible subscription with a free plan
- Better than Downpour:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.6 vs 7.5
A flexible book subscription with free access, offline listening, and family accounts.
- Family sharing
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Bookmate -
Best forBuying audiobooks without subscriptions
A focused audiobook retailer for listeners who prefer buying titles individually.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Chirp
Downpour Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Downpour?
Libby: #1 in our Audiobook Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A free library-borrowing app with strong playback controls and broad device support.
Is there a free alternative to Downpour?
Yes. Libby, Hoopla, Kobo Books, BorrowBox and The Palace Project have a free plan or a free tier (8 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Downpour alternatives?
No free plan or family-sharing option; No verified integrations listed; Publisher restrictions apply to some audiobook products.
Which Downpour alternative has the most included catalog?
Storytel, with 800000 titles.
How do I switch from Downpour?
Export your data from Downpour (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Downpour.
How to Switch from Downpour
- Export your data from Downpour (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Downpour.
Downpour vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Offline listening | Access model | Mobile platforms | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Downpour | No | $12.99/mo | Yes | Mixed | Ios and android | 7.5 |
| 1 | Libby | Yes | Free | Yes | Library borrowing | Ios and android | 9.4 |
| 2 | Hoopla | Yes | Free | Yes | Library borrowing | Ios and android | 9.2 |
| 3 | Audible | No | Yes | Mixed | Ios and android | 9.0 | |
| 4 | Libro.fm | Yes | Mixed | Ios and android | 8.8 | ||
| 5 | BookBeat | No | €9.99/mo | Yes | Mixed | Ios and android | 8.5 |
| 6 | Storytel | No | €9.99/user/mo | Yes | Subscription | Ios and android | 8.4 |
| 7 | Kobo Books | Yes | Yes | Mixed | Ios and android | 8.3 | |
| 8 | Everand | No | Yes | Subscription | Ios and android | 8.2 | |
| 9 | AudiobooksNow | No | $35.99/yr | Yes | Mixed | Ios and android | 8.1 |
| 10 | BorrowBox | Yes | Free | Yes | Library borrowing | Ios and android | 8.0 |
| 11 | The Palace Project | Yes | Free | Yes | Library borrowing | Ios and android | 7.9 |
| 12 | Sora | Yes | Free | Yes | Library borrowing | Ios and android | 7.8 |
| 13 | SimplyE | Yes | Free | Library borrowing | Ios and android | 7.7 | |
| 14 | Bookmate | Yes | Yes | Subscription | Ios and android | 7.6 | |
| 15 | Chirp | No | Yes | Pay per book | Ios and android | 7.4 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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