Audiobookshelf vs Loyal Books
Audiobookshelf
audiobookshelf.orgLoyal Books
loyalbooks.comSide by side
| Figure | Audiobookshelf | Loyal Books |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Audiobook Apps | 8.3 (#4) | 8.3 (#7) |
| Support | The project directs users to its Discord community and GitHub repository for help. | The app page directs Android and iOS comments and requests to [email protected] and [email protected]. |
| What it does | Audiobookshelf is an open-source, self-hosted media server for audiobooks and podcasts. | Loyal Books is a searchable service for streaming or downloading public-domain audiobooks and eBooks. |
Plans
In their own words
Audiobookshelf
Audiobookshelf is a free, open-source media server for audiobooks and podcasts that users host themselves. It supports multiple users with custom permissions and keeps each user’s playback progress synced across devices. Its beta Android and iOS apps support offline listening, alongside web access and Linux and Windows platform support. Users can find and apply metadata and cover art from several providers. Audiobook tools include chapter lookup and editing, metadata embedding, and merging audio files into one M4B. Podcast features include finding shows, downloading episodes automatically, and open RSS feeds for podcasts and audiobooks. Basic ebook support covers EPUB, PDF, CBR, and CBZ, with an ereader and an option to send books to a device such as Kindle. Scheduled backups include the database and metadata-directory cover images, but exclude media files and covers stored with library items. Docker is the recommended installation method. Audiobookshelf does not provide built-in remote access: users must configure a VPN or reverse proxy, and the server uses unencrypted HTTP.
Loyal Books
Loyal Books offers free audiobooks and eBooks on the web, Android, and iOS. Its app page lists 7,000+ audiobooks and 35,000+ eBooks, with material including children’s books, fiction, and mysteries. Books are available in 25+ languages. The catalog includes public-domain works digitized and recorded by volunteers, most sourced from Gutenberg.org and Librivox.org; Loyal Books says all audiobooks on its website are in the public domain. It also offers best sellers. Audiobooks can be streamed or downloaded for offline listening, and playback speed is adjustable. Readers can browse featured books and top charts, and use reviews, ratings, and other discovery features. The website describes its browsing as primarily visual and screen reader friendly for people with vision disabilities. Its privacy policy says the service collects reviews, desktop or mobile preference cookies, and standard server logs, which it says are not shared outside the company. Google and its partners use tracking and third-party cookies to serve ads, and the site uses Google Analytics Advertising Features.