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SPECIFICTION
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Kobo Books

kobo.com

From $7.99/mo Free trial WebiOSAndroid
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Spec score 8.1 #10 of 27 in Ebook Reader Software

What it is

Kobo Books is a digital platform for buying and listening to audiobooks, with apps for iOS and Android and playback on select Kobo eReaders with Bluetooth. The mobile app lets listeners pause, fast-forward, rewind, and resume playback. Downloaded audiobooks can be played on a smartphone or tablet without an internet connection, and Bluetooth headphones or speakers can be used with the app. Kobo Plus Listen costs $7.99 a month after a 14-day free trial, plus applicable taxes. Kobo Plus Read & Listen costs $9.99 a month after the trial, plus applicable taxes. These subscriptions include audiobooks, or eBooks and audiobooks in the latter plan, but neither includes every title. Subscription credits also apply only to eligible audiobooks. Audiobooks cannot be played in the Kobo Desktop app or on a laptop or desktop computer. On iOS, audiobook purchases must be made through Kobo.com because the app does not support in-app purchases. Kobo Plus members can open up to 15 books offline in an eReader or app during a 30-day period before reconnecting and syncing. Kobo is based in Toronto and was founded in December 2009.

Spec sheet

Privacy
Kobo says it collects personal information when people use an account, interact with its services, order content, access content, or contact customer care.Read 30 Sep 2026 · authorize.kobo.com
Support
Kobo says customers can get Kobo Plus help and troubleshooting through its Help Center.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kobo.com
Headquarters
Toronto, CanadaRead 28 Sep 2026 · kobo.com
Founded
2009Read 28 Sep 2026 · kobo.com
Company
Rakuten Kobo Inc. is based in Toronto, Canada, and its company page says it was founded in December 2009.Read 30 Sep 2026 · tw.kobo.com
Bluetooth
Listeners can use Bluetooth headphones or speakers with the Kobo app, and select Kobo eReaders support audiobook playback over Bluetooth.Read 30 Sep 2026 · help.kobo.com
Desktop limitation
Audiobooks cannot be played in the Kobo Desktop app or on a laptop or desktop computer.Read 30 Sep 2026 · help.kobo.com
iOS purchasing
The Kobo Books app for iOS does not support in-app purchases, so audiobooks must be purchased through Kobo.com.Read 30 Sep 2026 · help.kobo.com
Kobo Plus catalogue
Not every Kobo audiobook is available through a Kobo Plus subscription.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kobo.com
Listening devices
Audiobooks can be listened to in the Kobo Books app for iOS or Android and on select Kobo eReaders with Bluetooth.Read 30 Sep 2026 · help.kobo.com
Offline Kobo Plus limit
Kobo Plus users can open up to 15 books offline over a 30-day period in an eReader or the Kobo app before reconnecting and syncing.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kobo.com
Offline listening
Downloaded audiobooks can be listened to on a smartphone or tablet without an internet connection.Read 30 Sep 2026 · help.kobo.com
Playback controls
The Kobo app lets listeners pause, fast-forward, rewind, and resume audiobook playback.Read 30 Sep 2026 · help.kobo.com
Service
Kobo sells audiobooks and provides a digital platform for customers to listen to them.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kobo.com
Subscription limits
Only eligible audiobooks can be redeemed with an audiobook subscription credit; the credit offer does not cover every title.Read 30 Sep 2026 · help.kobo.com

Plans and prices

Kobo Plus Listen $7.99 a month $7.99 a month after the 14-day free trial, plus applicable taxes Audiobooks included in Kobo Plus; not every Kobo audiobook is included; cancel anytime Read 30 Sep 2026 · kobo.com
Kobo Plus Read & Listen $9.99 a month $9.99 a month after the 14-day free trial, plus applicable taxes eBooks and audiobooks included in Kobo Plus; not every title is included; cancel anytime Read 30 Sep 2026 · kobo.com

Every Kobo Books plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Downloaded audiobooks play offline on phones and tablets.
  • App playback supports pause, rewind, and fast-forward.
  • Bluetooth headphones and speakers are supported.
  • A 14-day free trial is listed.

Limits

  • Audiobooks cannot be played on computers.
  • iOS audiobook purchases must be made through Kobo.com.
  • Subscriptions do not include every title.
  • Kobo Plus offline access is limited to 15 books per 30 days.

Who it suits

Kobo Books suits listeners who want audiobook access on a phone, tablet, or supported Bluetooth Kobo eReader. It may also suit readers interested in the combined eBook and audiobook subscription, provided its catalogue limits work for them.

Verdict

Kobo Books offers mobile and select eReader audiobook listening, with offline playback and two subscription options. Check title eligibility, iOS purchase requirements, and the computer playback restriction before choosing it.

Where Specifiction places it

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