Kobo Audiobooks review

Item: Kobo Audiobooks
Rating: 4
Author: Priya Raman

A credible Amazon alternative for people already reading on a Kobo.

By Priya Raman · Tested and updated 15 August 2026 · Rakuten Kobo

4 / 5

Visit kobo.com Compare with the others

Not an affiliate link. We earn nothing if you sign up here.

Pricing at a glance

Kobo Audiobooks — cost and free trial

Free trial: 30 days
After the trial: $12.99 / month for 1 credit (US)
Catalogue: Large, close to the major stores
Cancel anytime: Yes

Start the free trial Compare prices side by side

Not an affiliate link — we earn nothing if you sign up here. Prices checked 15 August 2026; always confirm on the provider's own page.

The short version

Ebooks and audiobooks in one account, and the friendliest big store outside the US.

How it works: Subscription credits or à la carte
Price: $12.99 / month for 1 credit (US)
Free trial: 30 days
Catalogue: Large, close to the major stores
Do you keep books?: Yes
Offline listening: Yes
Devices: iOS, Android, Kobo devices, web
File restrictions: DRM-protected
Where it works: Wide international coverage

What we liked

Cheaper monthly credit
Great international availability
One account for ebooks and audio

What held it back

App is clunky
Thinner audio catalogue
Weak discovery

How it felt to use

For readers who already own a Kobo e-reader, keeping audio in the same account is a real convenience, and Kobo's international coverage beats most rivals.

Credit pricing is slightly cheaper than Audible and Audiobooks.com, but the audio catalogue is thinner in places and the app is the weakest part of the experience.

There are no originals, and discovery inside the store is poor compared with the editorial curation elsewhere.