There is a free app on your phone's app store right now that gives you unlimited ebooks and audiobooks at no cost, and most people have never heard of it.
Libby is my pick for the best reading app on the market, and it's one of the standout recommendations from WhistleOut's full guide to the best book apps. All it requires is a library card from a participating branch, and most public library systems in the U.S. already qualify.
I've logged over 1,000 hours on Libby in a single year (that's not a typo).
Download Libby now:
Audiobooks need more data than you'd expect
Streaming audiobooks away from Wi-Fi adds up fast, and a capped data plan can cut your listening short mid-chapter. An unlimited data plan means you can listen through Libby anywhere, without watching a data meter.
Here are the most popular unlimited plans available right now:
|
Visible
$25 Visible Plan
$25.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
|
|
Mint Mobile
Unlimited Data Plan
$25.00/mo
$75.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $25.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
|
XFINITY Mobile
Mobile Select Plan
$0.00/mo
(for the first year of service) <br>Regular rate of $30/mo. thereafter
|
What is Libby?
Libby is a free app that connects your public library card to a digital catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines. It is not a subscription service. There is no monthly fee, no free trial that converts to a paid tier, and no catch hidden in the fine print. Your library card is your access pass, and most U.S. library systems are already connected.
Not sure how to update your apps?
Keeping your apps up to date ensures you're always getting the latest features, bug fixes, and security improvements. Learn how to update the apps on your iPhone and your Android. It takes less time than you think.
Setup takes about two minutes
All you have to do is download Libby, search for your library by name or location, and enter your library card number. Most users are browsing the catalog within two minutes of installing the app. If you don't have a physical library card, many library systems now issue digital-only cards online at no cost, so you don't even have to leave the house to sign up.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
The catalog includes both ebooks and audiobooks across nearly every genre. You can search by title, author, or browse curated shelves by genre, mood, or award lists. Libby also surfaces what's available right now versus what has a waitlist, so you can filter for instant borrowing when you want to start something immediately.
Libby is the best audiobook app too
Ebooks on Libby are excellent, but the audiobook library is what makes it irreplaceable. I listen at the gym, on runs, during drives, and I've re-read Harry Potter in Portuguese on hiking trails. Narrators are professional, production quality is on par with paid audiobook platforms, and the player itself is clean and reliable. Playback speed, sleep timers, and bookmarks all work exactly as they should.
Image: Kevin Kearney | WhistleOut
Libby also syncs across devices. Start an audiobook on your phone during your commute and pick it up on a tablet at home without losing your place. For an app that costs nothing, it functions at a level that puts most paid platforms to shame.
The only real downside: Popular titles make you wait
Libby operates on the same borrowing model as a physical library, which means popular titles have waitlists. A newly released bestseller can have a hold queue stretching 12–16 weeks. I've sat on a 16-week waitlist before. It's not ideal, but the trade-off for free access to thousands of titles is more than worth it.
Libby does have a workaround called Skip-the-Line loans. If Libby detects that you're an active reader and a hold becomes available, it will sometimes offer you an instant seven-day loan that jumps you to the front of the queue. Seven days is more than enough time to finish most books if you're a serious reader. The waitlist problem is real, but Libby works hard to soften it.
If you still aren't using Libby, you're leaving a genuinely excellent free service sitting on the table. It replaced every paid audiobook subscription I'd ever tried, and it has never let me down.
How I tested Libby
- Hands-on testing
Logged over 1,000 hours across multiple devices and library systems, testing both audiobook and ebook functionality in real listening conditions. - Library setup
Tested account creation across multiple U.S. library systems, including the digital card signup process, to evaluate how quickly a new user can get reading. - Free tier assessment
Evaluated waitlist behavior, Skip-the-Line loan frequency, and offline download reliability on the free tier over an extended period.
Why you can trust WhistleOut
.svg)
15+
years of mobile industry experience
900+
published wireless guides
35+
firsthand carrier reviews
We've been around since the birth of the iPhone. Along the way, we've learned how to spot the best deals for your wallet (and your sanity). We spend our days researching informative guides and writing insightful reviews on every kind of wireless plan, distinguishing what matters from what doesn't. We played around with these plans before recommending them, ensuring they're worth your hard-earned money.
Want to know more? Check out how we review every cell phone plan we rank.
Libby FAQ
Is Libby really free?
Yes, Libby is completely free as long as you have a library card from a participating public library. If you don't have a card, most library systems let you sign up for a digital-only card online at no cost.
Is Libby better than Audible?
Libby is absolutely better than Audible. Libby's catalog is massive, the audio quality is professional, and it costs nothing. Meanwhile, Audible charges a monthly subscription. The only area where Audible has an edge is new release availability without a waitlist—but you have to pay.
Does Libby work without Wi-Fi?
Yes, you can download ebooks and audiobooks to your device before you go offline, and Libby will play them without a data connection. But streaming without downloading does require an internet connection.
How long can you borrow a book on Libby?
Standard loan periods are 21 days. You can return books early if you finish them, which frees up the title for the next person on the waitlist.
Can you use Libby with any library card?
You can use Libby with any library card from a participating U.S. public library branch. Most locations are connected, and you can add multiple library cards to one Libby account to access different catalogs.
Jessica Santero
Staff Writer
Find a better phone plan
Thousands of cell phone plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.
.png?w=280&h=280&usm=20&usmrad=0.8&fit=crop "Best Cell Phone Deals for June 2026: Get the New iPhone 17 for Free")
