Audiobookshelf
Self-hosted audiobook and podcast server with cross-device progress sync
Overview
Audiobookshelf is an open-source audiobook and podcast server that streams all common audio formats and keeps per-user listening progress synced across devices. It ships native apps for Android and iOS and a fully featured web UI. The server scans your audiobook and podcast directories, fetches metadata from Audible and other sources, and supports multiple library types. Deployment is a single Docker container.
Where it falls short of Spotify
- No content store or marketplace; you must supply your own DRM-free audiobook files.
- Podcast discovery is limited to direct RSS URLs; no curated podcast directory.
- Lacks social features like shared shelves, ratings, or friend activity.
- Text ebook reading is not supported; audiobooks only (plus podcasts).
We list the gaps honestly so you can decide if the trade-off is worth owning your data.
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