Scribd Vs Audible: In Which Service Should You Invest?
Audiobooks, nowadays, have been getting so much popularity among users because you could just listen to the contents instead of actually reading them. To help you choose which among Scribd and Audible should you use, let us have below a discussion about Scribd vs Audible comparison.
Two of the most popular streaming platforms include Scribd and Audible. Both of them have a library of audiobooks which may include the title that you want. Since most of the users are considering these two services, they must be getting a hard time deciding because both can give the best features.
The following sections will be tackling the major differences between Scribd and Audible. So, you better check them out in order to decide without regret.
Contents Guide Part 1. Scribd Vs Audible: OverviewPart 2. What Is The Difference Between Scribd And Audible?Part 3. Scribd Vs Audible: What Is The Best Subscription Service For Audiobooks?Part 4. Bonus: How To Play Audible Books Without LimitsPart 5. Summary
Part 1. Scribd Vs Audible: Overview
In this Scribd vs Audible comparison, let us tackle the major differences between the two including the pricing, availability, sound quality, library, features or services offered, and many more. Audible, which is owned by Amazon, is a platform that provides people with an extensive library of the most popular and best-selling audiobooks and podcasts. Scribd, on the other hand, is known as one of the best sources of e-books available all around the world.
Let us have below a more detailed comparison of Scribd vs Audible.
What Is Scribd?
Scribd is a subscription service that gives the users a more extensive package that includes an unlimited source of audiobooks, all-time magazines, and e-books. So far, Scribd has a record of about 70, 000 audiobook titles in total, which is considered in Scribd vs Audible comparison, is a much lower number compared to the library of Audible. But Scribd has a section wherein suggestions and recommendations could be found whenever you are having a hard time looking for books to read. Since Scribd is not just about audiobooks, it is very advisable to check first the item that you are purchasing because it might not be an audio but of another type.
Just like other streaming platforms, files from Scribd are also encrypted with DRM in order to avoid the illegal copy production of the files involved. In using Scribd, take note that you are allowed to use up to three different computer devices within an entire day if you are streaming online. Meanwhile, you can save your favorite files on up to four different devices of your choice. Scribd is also designed with an interactive email system in which concerns and questions by users are being monitored.
To tell you the truth, Scribd may be the biggest source of digital books, but it is still in need of more functions in relation to navigation. Some users might not succeed in locating a certain feature he wants because of Scribd’s lack of navigation features. This would be a problem, especially for users who are not good at exploring things. Since Scribd is a subscription service, once you end your membership, you will not be allowed to access its library anymore.
What Is Audible?
Audible is the most popular source of audiobooks in town. This platform allows its users to save as many audiobooks they want through the subscription, and keep all of these downloads even after they cancel their membership. To add, it is really commendable that Audible has a very huge catalog in which all the most exclusive and the best-selling audiobooks are included. So, if you are looking for the currently released and the trending titles, there are high chances that you can find them in Audible.
As you can see as well, Audible has a good interface that users can easily understand. Its search function is working very fine and would even release some suggestions of titles similar to what you have put in the search bar. However, like Scribd and many other services online, its files are also protected with DRM. This has caused Audible to receive a lot of issues from the customers because it has resulted in a limited streaming experience due to a limited number of devices that they can use for streaming.
In addition to this, Audible has made sure that every user’s concern could be heard. It even allows them to return any audiobook title they do not want even after a purchase was done. This will even restore as well all the credits that you have collected once the return process was finished.
Part 2. What Is The Difference Between Scribd And Audible?
In this section, let us tackle Scribd vs Audible comparison in an easier and simpler way by having a certain topic, and then descriptions of the two would be stated in relation to the topic that was mentioned.
Contents Availability/Library
As mentioned a while ago, in Audible, you can find a lot of titles amounting to about 100,000 and more. Compared to Scribd, it actually does not have yet an official number of books in its catalog. It could have stored about 70, 000 titles, but this is much lower compared to Audible. In Scribd, the files are more of getting licensed for usage, and ownership is not guaranteed.
Since Scribd is not just a platform for audiobooks but is also a home for digital books, it is expected to have millions of files in it. However, the chances of finding your preferred titles are still higher if you are to search them in Audible. Not only you can stream and download them in Audible, you could even have permanent ownership of them.
Audio Quality
Comparing Scribd vs Audible in terms of audio quality, Scribd can only offer about 32 kbps bit rate whereas Audible can give you up to 64 kbps bit rate. This is a much better audio quality compared to what Scribd has. Sadly, the 32 kbps bit rate of Scribd can be bad for the ears because of the unwanted audios included if you could notice while streaming. Most users do not prefer the said audio quality.
Compatibility
When it comes to devices that you may be able to use in using Scribd vs Audible, there are more device types available in Audible. In Audible, you may choose from using iOS devices such as iPhones, iPods,s and iPad; Android devices including tablets and mobile phones; Windows, Mac computers, Sandisk, approved MP3 music players, and a lot more. Whereas in Scribd, you may use as well Windows computers, Mac, iOS devices, Android devices, and more. Both of them allow the users to use the most common streaming devices but Scribd has a lower number of devices available compared to Audible. However, both of these platforms utilize DRM, so you might encounter a problem with regard to this anytime.
Services
As discussed above, Audible allows you to keep your downloaded audiobook titles. Once saved in your library, you can access all of them even if you have your subscription canceled. Compared to Scribd which allows you alone to access the contents but does not allow you to buy them. So, ownership is not possible.
Pricing
About Scribd vs Audible comparison in terms of pricing plans, Scribd is much cheaper. In Scribd, you will have to pay a total amount of $8.99, and then you will already have the access to its titles. Meanwhile, Audible will cost you $14.95 every month. This includes a credit given to you each month and two Audible originals as well.
Part 3. Scribd Vs Audible: What Is The Best Subscription Service For Audiobooks?
With the discussion above about Scribd vs Audible comparison, it is clear that Audible could give you better services especially if you are more into looking for popular audiobook titles. The only drawback could be the subscription fee to pay every month. But of course, this still depends on whichever item you are looking for. If you love e-books more, then Scribd should be a better fit. Also, both of them are really great. It’s just that Scribd fell short, especially in terms of sound quality and content library.
Part 4. Bonus: How To Play Audible Books Without Limits
After the discussion of the differences between Scribd vs Audible and you still cannot decide which platform or service to use, I would then suggest using AMusicSoft Audible Converter to download and enjoy your favorite audiobooks. Since it was mentioned many times already that Audible utilizes DRM, AMusicSoft could be of great help because of its capability to remove the DRM from the files which will enable you then to convert them into a format that could be played on almost all devices. Once the files are converted, you can now download them and enjoy them later for offline streaming.
To name the output formats that you can use in AMusicSoft, you can have MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC, and M4A. Also, in AMusicSoft, it is very sure that you can get the best audio quality. Lastly, you can enjoy your favorites unlimitedly without any restriction to think about if you will use AMusicSoft.
See the detailed steps below on how to use AMusicSoft.
- Download AMusicSoft from its official page and proceed with its installation.
- After doing so, upload the original copy of the audiobooks you have. You may either tap the Add button located in the upper left corner or you may drag and drop them instead.
- Among the available formats, decide which output format you desire to have the most.
- Tap the Convert button.
- Wait for a few minutes until the process was done and select the Completed tab above to check the converted audiobook titles.
Part 5. Summary
In our discussion about Scribd vs Audible differences, it is really hard to choose in which service would you invest your money and time. In deciding, I would advise thinking very hard about the thing that you want so that you can decide which service could be able to give you what you want.
Meanwhile, I would recommend AMusicSoft Audible Converter for saving your favorite Audible files. Since it can give you a DRM-free file, you can surely enjoy audiobooks without limit.
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Robert Fabry is an ardent blogger, and an enthusiast who is keen about technology, and maybe he can contaminate you by sharing some tips. He also has a passion for music and has written for AMusicSoft on these subjects.