Comparing Audiobook Platforms

Comparing Audiobook Platforms for Indie Authors: Which Service Is Right for You?

The Indie Author’s Dilemma

The audiobook market has never offered more opportunity—or more confusion. With dozens of platforms competing for your content, it’s no longer a question of if indie authors should publish audiobooks, but where they should do so. Choosing the right service affects not only your royalties and exposure, but your long-term control over your intellectual property.

In this comprehensive guide, we compare the major audiobook platforms available to indie authors today: ACX/Audible, INAudio (formerly Findaway Voices), Authors Republic, Lantern, Soundwise, Spotify (via INAudio), YouTube, Chirp, and direct sales from your author website. We look at royalty rates, costs, ease of use, distribution reach, learning curve, and platform flexibility to help you make an informed publishing decision.

Royalty Rates and Payouts

One of the most important considerations for indie authors is how much you’ll earn per sale or stream. Royalty rates vary wildly across platforms, and understanding them is critical to building a sustainable business.

• ACX/Audible: 40% royalty for exclusivity, 25% for non-exclusive. Returns policy can impact revenue significantly.
• INAudio (Findaway Voices): Up to 80% of the net sale, varies by platform. Acts as a middleman between author and retailer.
• Authors Republic: Similar to INAudio, offering 70–80% of net sales across 40+ platforms.
• Lantern: Royalties vary by deal and platform, but often competitive with INAudio.
• Soundwise: Offers 85% royalties on direct sales, making it attractive for authors who own their audience.
• Spotify (via INAudio): ~50% for a la carte purchases. Streaming royalties are variable and engagement-based.
• YouTube: Monetization via ad revenue and off-platform links. Not a direct royalty model.
• Chirp: Discount-driven sales via BookBub’s ecosystem. Short-term high volume, but royalty percentage varies.
• Direct Sales: Authors keep nearly 100% of revenue (minus Stripe or PayPal processing) when using tools like BookFunnel or Shopify.

Cost to Publish and Platform Fees

Most audiobook services have eliminated upfront publishing fees, opting instead for a percentage of royalties. However, there are still differences worth noting:

• Free to Publish: ACX, INAudio, Authors Republic, Lantern, Spotify (via aggregator), Chirp
• Subscription-Based or Freemium: Soundwise requires a monthly plan or percentage of direct sales.
• DIY Costs: Direct sales may require hosting fees, audiobook fulfillment (via BookFunnel), and ecommerce setup (via Shopify).
• YouTube: Free to use, but requires audio-to-video conversion and setup time.

Ease of Use and Learning Curve

While audiobook quality and rights matter, so does the author experience. Some platforms make the process simple; others demand more technical skill or industry knowledge.

• Easiest to Use: Authors Republic, Lantern, INAudio, YouTube
• Moderate Complexity: ACX (due to contract implications), Soundwise, Direct Sales
• High Learning Curve: ACX (narrator contracts, exclusivity), Direct Sales (tech setup)

Distribution Reach

If your goal is going wide, distribution reach matters. Below is a breakdown of each platform’s reach:

• ACX: Audible, Amazon, iTunes only
• INAudio: 50+ platforms including Spotify, Apple, Google, Scribd, Kobo
• Authors Republic: 40+ platforms (many same as INAudio)
• Lantern: ~25 platforms with premium quality curation
• Soundwise: Direct-to-consumer with no broad retailer distribution
• Spotify: Global streaming via INAudio; massive reach but indirect upload
• YouTube: Worldwide discovery but no direct store presence
• Chirp: BookBub’s discounted audio promotions only
• Direct Sales: Total control, but limited to audience you build and reach via your own website

Direct Upload Options

If you want control over your uploads, metadata, pricing, and asset changes, here’s what each platform offers:

Service Links

• ACX
• INAudio (Findaway Voices)
• Authors Republic
• Lantern Audio
• Soundwise
• Spotify
• YouTube
• Chirp via BookBub
• BookFunnel
• Shopify

Conclusion: Which Platform Is Right for You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to audiobook distribution. The right choice depends on your goals, your budget, your technical comfort level, and your long-term publishing strategy.

• Use ACX if you’re starting with Audible-focused sales and want access to Amazon's ecosystem, but beware exclusivity.
• Choose INAudio or Authors Republic if you want wide reach without managing multiple accounts.
• Go with Lantern if you’re looking for high-end production and a boutique distribution experience.
• Soundwise is ideal for nonfiction authors, teachers, and coaches who already have an audience.
• Spotify (via INAudio) is best for visibility, especially among streaming listeners and mobile users.
• YouTube is perfect for serialized audio, free samples, or reader funneling with global reach.
• Chirp is a solid option for promotional spikes tied to BookBub’s platform.
• Direct Sales offer total control and the highest royalties but require more setup and audience-building.

The most successful indie authors often combine two or more platforms—releasing wide, retaining control, and maximizing revenue across formats. Whichever route you take, understanding the pros and cons of each will ensure your audiobook publishing plan supports your goals as an author and entrepreneur.