What are the free audiobook apps for listening to novels? 2026 audiobook trials available
Wanting to read a book but being too busy to find the time is probably one of the common problems faced by people today.
Yes, this has been a problem I've had for years.
With the daily grind of work, housework, and childcare, reading is just a dream.
When I was single, I loved reading novels, and I would stop by Book Off once a week to buy a few books, then sell them after I'd read them. I also read a lot of books by my favorite authors in the library.
Now that I'm a mother, I want to read but I don't have the time! So should I give up on reading? When I'm faced with a problem, I try listening to novels and self-help books.
At first I was a little hesitant about listening to it through my ears, but once I tried it, I found it very comfortable and helped me to input a lot more information.
In my case, I discovered Audible and feel that my life has become much richer by being able to listen to books whenever I want, whether I'm doing desk work or housework.
Above all, the biggest thing for me was being freed from the dilemma and guilt of wanting to read but not being able to.
(▼If you are a parent, here are some recommended Audible videos that I would like you to listen to. Please take a look if you are interested.)
But, if you're wondering, doesn't reading by ear end up costing money?
Yes, of course it costs money, but for the price of buying one or two books you can take in as much information as you want every day, so I personally think it's extremely cost-effective and easy to use.
Some services allow you to read completely free of charge, and some even offer a free trial for the first month.
Of the many options available, choose the one that suits you best!
[Quick Reference] Comparison of free audio novel app services
Listening to and reading is perfect for relaxing while doing housework, commuting, or before bed. We've carefully selected and compared popular apps that you can try for free. The table can be scrolled left and right.| App Name | Free perks | Key Features | Recommended people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audible (Amazon) | 30-day free trial | Unlimited listening to over 200,000 titles. Overwhelming quality and quantity. | People who want to listen to the latest bestsellers |
| audiobook.jp | Free for 14 to 30 days | The largest number of titles in Japan. Strong in business and practical books. | People who want to absorb knowledge efficiently |
| Open-air reading | Completely free | Volunteers will read classic novels from Aozora Bunko. | People who want to enjoy classic masterpieces at zero cost |
| kikubon | Some titles are free | Specializing in science fiction, mystery, and fantasy. Emphasis on voice acting. | People who support a particular genre or voice actor |
| Google Play Books | Free works available | You can listen to free samples and free works before purchasing. | Android users who want to try it out casually |
A completely free novel service
First, we'd like to introduce some audio novels that you can listen to completely free of charge.
kikubon
This is a novel-specialized app that specializes in science fiction, mystery, and fantasy, and its appeal lies in the fact that you can listen to over 700 works for free .
Of course, not everything can be listened to for free, but if it's something that can be listened to for free, you can listen to it as much as you want without paying a fee.
If there are more titles you would like to listen to, there are six different plans to suit your needs. (The most popular plan seems to be the 1,100 yen plan.)
Open-air reading
They will read out-of-copyright classics (such as Akutagawa and Dazai), and you can listen to over 1,350 books from Aozora Bunko for free (as of summer 2025).
You can select works by genre, such as novels, fairy tales, and essays, or by author.
Paid services with free trials
| App | Number of titles available for free listening | Reading Quality | Free period | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| kikubon | Over 500 books (novels) | Professional Reading | none | For novel lovers |
| Open-air reading | Over 1,300 books | Volunteer Reading | none | For classical music |
| Audible | Over 200,000 books | Voice actors and professional readers | 30 days | Original works available |
| audiobook.jp | Unlimited listening to 15,000 books | Professional Reading | 14 to 30 days | Double speed and offline support |
| Himalaya | 10,000 books | Professional ~ Diverse | 30 days | Novel + audio content |
| LisBo | 5,000 books | Audio-centric | First month | For lectures and rakugo |
| flier | 4,000 book summaries | For reading substitutes | 7 days | Mainly business books |
Audible
Audible offers unlimited listening to over 200,000 titles for free for 30 days.
Amazon Prime members often get a 3-month free trial , after which the monthly fee drops to 1,500 yen.
Yes, I actually use it a lot myself!
I listen to it every day, and it pays off at 1,500 yen a month. (I listen to 2-3 volumes a day at double speed.)
Audible's unique features include professional readings and original works, as well as works that will surprise you and make you say, "Wow! There are new works like this too!"
When "Weird House" was popular, it was available for free on Audible!!
I had read a bit of it while browsing in the bookstore and was really curious to know what happened next, so I listened to it straight away, and it was sooooooo interesting!!
Generally, when it comes to books I listen to, I usually choose self-help or know-how books, genres that I can just casually listen to, but this was a shocking moment for me to realize that even if I listen to a novel, I can still absorb the content!
After that, I became addicted to listening to novels, and after listening to Strange House, I also listened to Strange Pictures for free.
I always listen to it while working, and it's surprisingly easy to do both!
However, when the conversation gets exciting and reaches a climax, I find myself stopping to make sure I don't miss anything...lol
If you're looking to listen to something casually during your commute, I highly recommend novels.
The sense of immersion is different.
I've always preferred to read books in print (I used to buy second-hand books at Book Off and sell them after I was done reading them), but the sound was more satisfying than I expected, and I was able to really immerse myself in the feeling of having finished reading.
audiobook.jp
There are over 15,000 audiobooks available for unlimited listening with a 30-day free trial.
After the trial period ends, the monthly fee is 1,330 yen, but with the annual discount plan it drops to just 833 yen!
It also has a wide range of features, including double-speed playback and offline playback, and has a wide selection of popular and new releases.
Himalaya
Try Podcasts & Novels free for 30 days.
With a selection of over 10,000 books, all of which are available for download.
Downloaded content can be played offline from the Himalaya app library, so you can enjoy it on the go without worrying about data usage.
*Downloadable content can only be listened to while subscribed to "himalaya unlimited listening."
At 750 yen per month, it's cheaper than other services.
LisBo
LisBo offers unlimited listening to audiobooks such as lectures by authors, scholars, and businessmen, as well as sermons, rakugo, storytelling, and recitations, for a fixed price. You can try it free for 30 days.
In addition to novels, the site mainly features specialized audio such as lectures and rakugo, so it is recommended for those who want to listen to niche audio.
Starting from the month following registration, the service will cost 1,650 yen (tax included).
flier
Flier allows you to listen to audio book summaries (mainly business books) and you can try it free for 7 days.
The biggest feature is that professional writers summarize each book so that it can be read in about 10 minutes .
It's hard to find time to relax between work and home life, but you still want to take in the information... This service is recommended for people like you.
In addition to summary content, you can also listen to unlimited video content with the Gold Plan, which costs 2,200 yen per month .
How to choose an audio service that you can listen to
- If you're looking for something that's purely free , try kikubon or Aozora Reading.
- If you want to try a wide range of genres for free → Audible (30 days)
- If you're looking for value for money , try audiobook.jp (30-day trial available)
Real word-of-mouth reviews from users of the aural novel app
"I thought 1,500 yen a month was expensive, but I got hooked after the free trial. There are works read by actors Anne and Issei Takahashi, and I never thought I'd be so moved by the voice acting alone."
"The annual plan is less than 1,000 yen per month, so it's great value for money. The double-speed playback (up to 4x) is excellent, and I sometimes manage to listen to the equivalent of an entire novel in no time during my busy morning commute."
"Although they don't have the latest works, professional announcers read works like Osamu Dazai's 'No Longer Human,' so I was able to appreciate the quality of classic works once again. I'm really grateful that it's completely free."
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Audio Novel App
Listening to Novels App Summary
If you want to enjoy listening to a story read aloud for free and in a casual setting, we recommend Kikubon or Aozora Reading.
If you want to listen carefully, I think it's best to start with Audible's 30-day free trial .
Read all the novels you're interested in, by Higashino Keigo, Tsujimura Mizuki, Arisugawa Arisu, and Isaka Kotaro, all by listening!