Audiobookshelf review: a self-hosted audiobook server

Audiobookshelf is a free, open-source self-hosted audiobook server for the audiobooks and podcasts you want in a library of your own.¹⁵ It is for listeners who are willing to run a small server at home, then listen in a browser or a phone app. The privacy benefit is plain: the project says it does not collect personal data, and that the data stays on your server.²

Last checked October 28, 2026.

At a glance

What it is: An open-source server for a home library of audiobooks and podcasts.¹

Works on: Docker, the recommended install, including a Windows note in that guide; Android and iOS apps the project marks as beta.³⁶

Price: Free to download and run.⁵ You provide the computer.

Licence: GNU General Public License, version 3, or any later version.⁷

Best for: Households who want audiobooks and podcasts on hardware they control.

Official site: audiobookshelf.org

What Audiobookshelf does and how it protects your privacy

Audiobookshelf is a media server you run yourself for audiobooks and podcasts.¹ It remembers how far each person has listened, and it syncs that place across devices.¹ More than one person can have an account, with permissions you can set.¹ The privacy policy says the project collects no personal data, and that all data is stored locally on your server.²

You can search for podcasts and download episodes automatically.¹ A podcast is a show published as an audio feed. The download request comes from your computer, so the show’s host sees it. Cover pictures and other details, called metadata, can be filled in from several providers.¹ That lookup is the moment your server contacts a service you do not run.

The Android and iOS apps can save listening for offline use, and they are still described as beta.¹ The Android app is on Google Play and needs your server.⁵⁶ The iOS app is an early TestFlight beta, and the project says that beta is full because Apple limits it to 10,000 testers.⁶ GitHub’s latest server release is version 2.37.2, published on 23 October 2026, and it is not a pre-release.⁸ The licence notice names a 2021 copyright by advplyr, the account listed as that release’s author.⁷⁸

Audiobookshelf key features

A place in every book: Progress is stored per person and synced across devices.¹
Household accounts: More than one user, with permissions you can set.¹
Podcast downloads: Search for shows and download episodes automatically.¹
Tidier shelves: Look up metadata and cover art from several providers.¹
Listening without a connection: The beta phone apps support offline listening.¹
A spare copy of the catalogue: Backups can be scheduled.¹
A simple ebook shelf: Basic reading for epub, pdf, cbr and cbz files, plus sending an ebook to a device such as a Kindle.¹
Feeds and file tools: Open RSS feeds for books and episodes, embed details in audio files, and merge files into one m4b, a single audiobook file.¹

Audiobookshelf pros and cons

Pros

The privacy policy says data stays on your server and that the project does not collect personal data.²
The server is free software under the GNU General Public License, version 3 or later.⁷
Each listener can keep a separate place in a book.¹
Podcast episodes can be downloaded for you.¹
There is an official Android app. Its Play listing was updated on 27 September 2026.⁵
Scheduled backups are part of the software.¹

Cons

You run the computer. Disk space, updates and keeping it switched on are part of the job.
The Docker guide says the database must sit on the same machine. It says a network drive can be slow and can eventually corrupt the database.³
IzzyOnDroid, a catalogue that republishes the Android app, says that build includes Google Cast, Google Mobile Services and Firebase, and that it potentially connects to Google servers.⁴
The phone apps are still beta, and the iOS TestFlight beta is full.¹⁶
Cover and metadata lookups contact outside providers.¹
Ebook support is described as basic.¹ A large ebook collection fits more naturally in calibre.

Is Audiobookshelf safe and private?

The privacy policy says the project does not collect any personal data, and that all data is stored locally on your server.² In a Docker install, the config folder holds a SQLite database, a database stored as a file, plus the scripts that update it.³ Another folder holds book metadata, cover and author images, logs and backups.³ Anyone who can open those folders can see the library, so keep the admin sign-in to yourself.

Google Play’s data-safety section says no data is collected and none is shared with third parties. Play says the developer provided that information and may update it.⁵ The listing says the app connects to your server and streams to the phone.⁵ IzzyOnDroid’s copy of the same app, version 0.14.2-beta, is flagged for Google Cast, Google Mobile Services and Firebase libraries, with a note that it potentially connects to Google servers.⁴ The project lists podcast downloads, and cover lookups from several providers, among its features.¹ The notes for version 2.37.2 say a new authentication system, the sign-in check, was added in version 2.26.0.⁸ Read that note when you update. If the server should be reachable while you are away, start with the Academy’s guide to what an internet provider can still see.

How to get started with Audiobookshelf

Install with Docker. That is the recommended method.³ Follow the Docker guide, keep the config folder on the same computer, and use the Windows command note if you are on Windows.³
Open the web page. The Docker example uses port 13378, the numbered door the program listens on.³ Visit that address in a browser on the same computer.
Add a user per listener. The server supports several users and stores progress for each one.¹ Use a long admin password.
Add a few files you already have. Use separate audiobook and podcast folders, as the Docker guide shows, and play one item first.³
Then connect a phone. On Android, install the app from Google Play and point it at your server.⁵⁶ On iPhone, the official app is an early TestFlight beta and that beta is full.⁶
Back up and update. Scheduled backups are built in.¹ The current release is 2.37.2, from 23 October 2026.⁸

Who should use Audiobookshelf, and who might prefer something else

Audiobookshelf fits a household with audiobook files or podcasts, and a computer that can stay on, when each person’s place in a story should stay on hardware they control. Start with a few familiar books.

For podcasts on an Android phone, AntennaPod follows shows from their feeds on the phone. For music files, Navidrome streams a library you host. Ebook support here is basic.¹ A larger ebook shelf on your own computer is what calibre is for.

Frequently asked questions

Is Audiobookshelf free?

Yes. The Google Play listing describes it as a free and open-source audiobook and podcast manager, and the server is under the GNU General Public License, version 3 or later.⁵⁷ You still supply the computer. Add files only when you are allowed to keep them.

Is Audiobookshelf safe?

The privacy policy says the project does not collect personal data, and that data stays on your server.² You still choose who can sign in, who can open the folders, and when you update. Play’s developer-provided form says the Android app collects no data and shares none.⁵ Podcast downloads and cover lookups from several providers are listed features.¹

Does Audiobookshelf work on iPhone?

There is an early iOS beta, and the project says TestFlight is full because Apple allows 10,000 testers.⁶ Offline listening is part of the companion apps.¹ Check the project’s app page before you count on an iPhone app.

Does Audiobookshelf work on Android?

Yes. The project links an Android beta on Google Play, and the listing was updated on 27 September 2026.⁵⁶ The app is for use with your own server.⁵ IzzyOnDroid lists that build as requiring Android 7.0 or newer.⁴ Get the server playing in a browser, then connect the phone.