According to ChatGPT:
Here are some top online platforms to get or borrow books and audiobooks—most of them integrate with public libraries:
Note: it is useful to have a library card.
1. Libby (by OverDrive)
- Best for: Borrowing eBooks and audiobooks from your public library.
- How it works: Connect your library card to borrow books and audiobooks for free.
- Pros:
- Easy-to-use app (mobile + web).
- Download or stream.
- Syncs across devices.
- Available on: iOS, Android, web (libbyapp.com)
2. Hoopla Digital
- Best for: Borrowing instant-access eBooks, audiobooks, movies, and more.
- How it works: Free with participating library card (check if your library supports it).
- Pros:
- No waitlists—everything is instant.
- Includes comics, TV, movies too.
- Available on: iOS, Android, web (hoopladigital.com)
3. Audible (by Amazon)
- Best for: Purchasing and owning high-quality audiobooks.
- How it works: Subscription-based; you get credits for audiobooks.
- Pros:
- Large selection, including exclusives.
- Great for frequent audiobook listeners.
- Cons: Not free.
- Available on: iOS, Android, web (audible.com)
4. Project Gutenberg
- Best for: Free classic books (public domain).
- How it works: Download eBooks (no app or account needed).
- Pros:
- Completely free.
- Huge collection of classics.
- Cons: Limited to older works.
- Available on: Web (librivox.org)
5. Librivox
- Best for: Audio reading of books.
- How it works: Just search and click.
- Pros:
- Completely free.
- Huge collection of classics.
- Cons: Not everything there.
- Available on: Web (gutenberg.org)
6. Internet Archive
- Internet Archive is a non-profit library of millions of free texts, movies, software, music, websites, and more.
- This is old school, but amazing sometimes.
- It does have an audio reader.
- Available on: Web (archive.org)
If your library card works with both Libby and Hoopla, you’ll be set for thousands of free books and audiobooks—Libby for more popular titles (with waitlists), and Hoopla for instant access.
