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Audiobookshelf
What it is
Audiobookshelf is a free, open-source media server for audiobooks and podcasts that users host themselves. It supports multiple users with custom permissions and keeps playback progress synced across devices. Its beta Android and iOS apps support offline listening, and it also offers web access. Users can find and apply metadata and cover art from several providers, edit and look up audiobook chapters, embed metadata, and merge audio files into one M4B. Podcast tools include finding shows, automatically downloading episodes, and open RSS feeds for podcasts and audiobooks. Basic ebook support covers EPUB, PDF, CBR, and CBZ, with an ereader and an option to send books to a device such as Kindle. Scheduled backups cover the database and metadata-directory cover images, but not media files or covers stored with library items. Docker is the recommended installation method; Linux, Windows, and Podman options are also documented. Audiobookshelf has no built-in remote access, so users must configure a VPN or reverse proxy, and the server serves unencrypted HTTP.
For and against
For
- Free and open source
- Playback progress syncs across devices
- Beta mobile apps support offline listening
- Includes audiobook, podcast, and basic ebook tools
- Scheduled backups include the database
Against
- Remote access requires a user-configured VPN or reverse proxy
- Server traffic uses unencrypted HTTP
- Scheduled backups exclude media files
- Mobile apps are beta
The verdict
Audiobookshelf combines self-hosted audiobook and podcast management with multi-user playback sync and basic ebook features. Plan for your own remote-access setup, and note that its scheduled backups do not include media files.
Who it suits
Audiobookshelf suits people who want to host and organize audiobooks and podcasts for multiple users. It may also suit readers who want basic ebook support alongside their audio library.
Plans and prices
Audiobookshelf self-hosted server
Self-hosted audiobook and podcast server; no paid plans or price listed on the official pages opened
Read 4 Oct 2026 · audiobookshelf.org
On the record
- Audiobook tools
- The server includes a chapter editor and lookup, metadata embedding, and a tool to merge audio files into one M4B.audiobookshelf.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Backups
- The server supports scheduled backups, which include its database and metadata-directory cover images but not media files or covers stored with library items.audiobookshelf.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Ebooks
- Basic ebook support covers EPUB, PDF, CBR, and CBZ, with an ereader and an option to send books to a device such as Kindle.audiobookshelf.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Docker is the recommended installation method; official documentation also lists Linux, Windows, and Podman installation options.audiobookshelf.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Listening
- Its beta Android and iOS apps support offline listening.audiobookshelf.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Metadata
- Users can look up and apply metadata and cover art from several providers.audiobookshelf.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Podcasts and RSS
- Users can find podcasts, automatically download episodes, and access open RSS feeds for podcasts and audiobooks.audiobookshelf.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Remote access
- Audiobookshelf does not provide built-in remote access; users must configure their own VPN or reverse proxy, and the server serves unencrypted HTTP.audiobookshelf.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security reporting
- The project asks users to report security issues through GitHub private vulnerability reporting, with email or private Discord message as alternatives; response times vary.audiobookshelf.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to its Discord community and GitHub repository for help.audiobookshelf.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Third-party clients
- Community client apps are not maintained or security-tested by the Audiobookshelf team, and some may use outdated API endpoints that cause problems.audiobookshelf.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Users and sync
- The server supports multiple users with custom permissions and keeps each user’s playback progress synced across devices.audiobookshelf.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Audiobookshelf is an open-source, self-hosted media server for audiobooks and podcasts.audiobookshelf.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Who maintains it
- The project FAQ says it began as a passion project by advplyr, who remains its main maintainer and contributor.audiobookshelf.org · read 4 Oct 2026
