Audiobookshelf
- Android app
- Yes
- Free plan
- Yes
- Runs on
- Android, api, iOS, Linux, self-hosted, Web, Windows
Summary
Audiobookshelf is a free, open-source media server for audiobooks and podcasts that you host yourself. Its server supports multiple users with custom permissions and keeps each person’s listening progress in sync across devices. Beta apps for Android and iOS support offline listening, and the service also offers web access and lists Linux and Windows among its platforms. For library management, users can find and apply metadata and cover art from several providers. Audiobook tools include chapter lookup and editing, metadata embedding, and combining audio files into an M4B. Podcast features include finding shows, automatically downloading episodes, 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 cover the database and metadata-directory cover images, but exclude media files and covers stored with library items. Docker is the recommended installation method; remote access requires a user-configured VPN or reverse proxy, and the server uses unencrypted HTTP.
Who it is for
Audiobookshelf suits people who want to host an audiobook and podcast library for multiple users, with progress syncing across devices. It may also suit readers who want basic ebook support alongside audio.
What is good
- Free and open source, with no paid plans listed
- Multiple users can have custom permissions
- Listening progress syncs across devices
- Beta mobile apps support offline listening
- Includes audiobook, podcast, and basic ebook tools
What to know first
- Remote access requires a user-configured VPN or reverse proxy
- Server serves unencrypted HTTP
- Scheduled backups exclude media files
- Android and iOS apps are beta
Verdict
Audiobookshelf combines multi-user audiobook and podcast hosting with ebook support and tools for managing audio libraries. Plan for your own remote-access setup and separate media-file backups.
Audiobookshelf plans and pricing
All plansCompared on audiobook apps
- Offline listening
- Yesaudiobookshelf.org
- Mobile platforms
- ios and androidaudiobookshelf.org
Facts
- What it does
- Audiobookshelf is an open-source, self-hosted media server for audiobooks and podcasts.audiobookshelf.org · 4 Oct 2026
- Listening
- Its beta Android and iOS apps support offline listening.audiobookshelf.org · 4 Oct 2026
- Users and sync
- The server supports multiple users with custom permissions and keeps each user’s playback progress synced across devices.audiobookshelf.org · 4 Oct 2026
- Metadata
- Users can look up and apply metadata and cover art from several providers.audiobookshelf.org · 4 Oct 2026
- Audiobook tools
- The server includes a chapter editor and lookup, metadata embedding, and a tool to merge audio files into one M4B.audiobookshelf.org · 4 Oct 2026
- Podcasts and RSS
- Users can find podcasts, automatically download episodes, and access open RSS feeds for podcasts and audiobooks.audiobookshelf.org · 4 Oct 2026
- Ebooks
- Basic ebook support covers EPUB, PDF, CBR, and CBZ, with an ereader and an option to send books to a device such as Kindle.audiobookshelf.org · 4 Oct 2026
- Backups
- The server supports scheduled backups, which include its database and metadata-directory cover images but not media files or covers stored with library items.audiobookshelf.org · 4 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Docker is the recommended installation method; official documentation also lists Linux, Windows, and Podman installation options.audiobookshelf.org · 4 Oct 2026
- Remote access
- Audiobookshelf does not provide built-in remote access; users must configure their own VPN or reverse proxy, and the server serves unencrypted HTTP.audiobookshelf.org · 4 Oct 2026
- Security reporting
- The project asks users to report security issues through GitHub private vulnerability reporting, with email or private Discord message as alternatives; response times vary.audiobookshelf.org · 4 Oct 2026
- Third-party clients
- Community client apps are not maintained or security-tested by the Audiobookshelf team, and some may use outdated API endpoints that cause problems.audiobookshelf.org · 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to its Discord community and GitHub repository for help.audiobookshelf.org · 4 Oct 2026
- Who maintains it
- The project FAQ says it began as a passion project by advplyr, who remains its main maintainer and contributor.audiobookshelf.org · 4 Oct 2026
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Sources
- audiobookshelf.org/docs/documentation/introduction/· checked 4 Oct 2026
- audiobookshelf.org/docs/category/server-management/· checked 4 Oct 2026
- audiobookshelf.org/docs/category/installation/· checked 4 Oct 2026
- audiobookshelf.org/docs/faq/server/· checked 4 Oct 2026
- audiobookshelf.org/docs/contributing/security/· checked 4 Oct 2026
- audiobookshelf.org/docs/documentation/community/community-· checked 4 Oct 2026
- audiobookshelf.org/docs/faq/general/· checked 4 Oct 2026
- audiobookshelf.org· checked 4 Oct 2026