Audiobooks

ACX is still the only path to Audible — the world's largest audiobook marketplace. But in 2026, Audible is replacing its flat-percentage royalty structure with a pooled Member Value model, and every author currently distributing through ACX has an enrollment decision to make before the legacy system shuts down at the end of the year. This is the complete, current guide.

Voices by INaudio — the platform formerly known as Findaway Voices, then Findaway Voices by Spotify — became an independent company again in August 2025, founded by the original Findaway team. This guide covers the full platform: its history, distribution network, royalty structure, what changed in the split from Spotify, and the strategic decisions that determine how much value you get from it.

Spotify for Authors is Spotify's own self-publishing portal for audiobooks — a direct upload path that exists independently of Voices by INaudio, with its own account, its own royalty reporting, and the ability to set your own suggested price. This guide covers how the portal works, how royalties are calculated under both the à la carte and Premium pool models, and how it fits alongside wide distribution.

Authors Republic is the commission-based wide audiobook aggregator — no subscription fee, no upfront cost, and a distribution network that includes Audiobooks.com, Hoopla, OverDrive, and 40+ platforms. For authors evaluating Voices by INaudio alternatives or looking for a no-cost entry point into wide audio, here is the complete picture.

Lantern Audio — the rebranded successor to the longtime traditional-publishing studio ListenUp Audiobooks — positions itself as a curated, quality-forward audiobook distributor with a 75% author royalty, production services, and a smaller but established distribution network. This guide covers what Lantern offers, where it fits, and what to expect from its royalty structure and reach.

Soundwise is a direct-to-listener audio platform designed specifically for authors and creators who want to sell audiobooks and audio courses without retail platform middlemen. This guide covers what Soundwise does, how it compares to BookFunnel for audio delivery, its subscription capabilities, and when it makes sense relative to other direct sales options.

Kobo is one of the only major audiobook retailers that gives indie authors a genuine choice: upload directly through Kobo Writing Life for the better royalty rate, or distribute through an aggregator for single-dashboard convenience. For authors with strong Kobo ebook readerships in Canada, the Netherlands, and Australia, Kobo's audiobook store and Kobo Plus Audio subscription are meaningful revenue channels. This guide covers both paths, how Kobo Plus Audio works, and what to expect.

Google Play Books is reachable two ways for audiobooks — through an aggregator like Voices by INaudio, or directly through the Google Play Books Partner Center. The direct path gives you more control and is worth understanding on its own terms, alongside Google's distinct auto-narrated audiobook program built specifically around AI conversion of existing ebooks.

Library audiobook distribution through OverDrive and Hoopla reaches listeners who are passionate about books but not necessarily paying Audible subscribers — and for nonfiction, self-help, and literary fiction authors, libraries represent a meaningful and often overlooked revenue stream. This guide covers how it works and how to make sure your audiobook is reaching library listeners.