A Breakdown Of Best Features And Cost To Develop An App Like Audible

Seeing the craze of Audiobooks, do you want to develop an app like Audible? If yes, then read this blog to have a successful development journey.

Imagine telling someone a few years ago that you can ditch the physical book and listen to stories instead! The idea might have seemed like a fiction. But, it has now turned into reality with audiobook apps like Audible.

Basically, Audible is a product of Amazon and is quite famous as a top-rated Audiobook. It has more than 100 billion downloads and the user base is still growing. Apart from that, In the Audiobook Market Audible itself has more than 63.4% market share. Not wrong to say that it inspires many businesses to develop an app like Audible.

If you want to do so, this blog has all the relevant information from top features, to the cost of developing an app like Audible. Without any delay, let’s get to know about it:

Overview of the Audiobook Market

If you are planning to build an app like Audible, it is important to know whether this market is worth it or not. Find out about it through a fascinating Audiobook.

Source

Looks like the Audiobook market has a bright future.

Over the last five years, the sales revenue through audiobooks in the US increased by over 50%. Even Audiobook sales crossed eBook revenue too in 2019 and getting bigger than ever. As far as the analysis goes, this industry will be worth $35.05 bn in 2030.

What’s more in this zone?

• 81% of listeners have taken action after hearing audio ads during a podcast.
• Half of the audiobook listeners at least spend 1-4 hours a week.
• Among others, Women listen to audiobooks more than men.
• Audibles alone account for 13.5% of the total number of Audiobooks published in a year.

Now, with that, we believe you got an inspiration to invest in mobile app development. Well, if you need more reasons, below we are sharing the list of benefits.

Why Develop an App Like Audible?

Why should you invest in this market? If this is one of the pieces of your puzzle. We will happily give you reasons to do so.

Here are some best benefits:

1. The Market is Exploding

The audiobook industry is currently exploding.

Although there are several apps currently present in the market such as Audible, Kobo, and others.

But listeners are still seeking suitable ways to consume content, which is why they are always on the hunt. By developing an Audiobook, one can cater to the growing demand.

2. Catering to Busy Lifestyles

Talking about modern life, we all know it’s fast-paced.

An audiobook app caters to those who have limited time for traditional reading in a modern way.

Whether you are working out in a gym, standing in a metro, or making a choice, users can easily pick their audio and maximize their time spent with books.

3. Enhanced User Experience

An audiobook app like Audible allows users to easily manage their libraries, adjust the font size and narration speed, and set bookmarks.

Doing so will help you to personalize their experience and help them have a convenient listening experience.

4. Accessible to all

Without any limitation, these audiobooks can cater to visually impaired individuals or those with reading difficulties.

Apart from that, they can also cater to multilingual audiences who prefer listening to books in their native language which means catering to a huge variety of audiences.

5. Curated Content and Discovery

To engage people in your app, you can curate audiobooks by genre, bestseller lists, or user recommendations.

This way, your users discover new and exciting lines, similar to how video streaming apps recommend movies and shows.

6. Potential for offering Original Content

By partnering with authors and publishers, you can create exclusive audiobook content for your platform, you can offer your users new content for them to engage with.

This USP can attract a lot of users to your app and differentiate it from your rivals.

If you understand why, then it’s time to talk about the features of your Audible-like app development.

Features to Integrate in Your Audiobook

It is not wrong to say that features are the top way to make your Audiobook successful. So, let’s have a look at the needed features of various panels.

► User Panel

Here are some of the must-have features of the user panel to integrate into your Audiobook like app development.

• Easy Sign-Up

One of the most important features of the User panel is to provide them with easy sign-ups through Gmail or phone. Just to read a book, if they have to go through plenty of steps, it’s possible that they might ditch your app.

• Push Notification

By leveraging push notification services, you can provide them with timely information about any new updates on your audiobook app. For example, if you release any new content, add new features, or special deals for them. This way, you can communicate with them as well as you can also send them personalized messages to foster deeper relationships.

• Search and Filter

Another important part of your Audible-like app development is search and filter. Apart from providing them recommendations, you should also let them search and filter books, podcasts, or others to find specific audiobooks based on their preferences, titles, narrators, authors, and more. This way, your app will be more helpful to them.

• Background Play Audio Podcasts

Podcast app development is growing due to the increasing interest of people. Listeners are demanding more flexibility. Your app can address the needs of people with background playback.

With this feature, they don’t have to switch and browse the web, social media, and other tasks without any interruption. It eliminates the need to switch back and forth between the Audiobook and other apps you are using.

• Play & Pause

This will be of great use to your users, adding play/pause to the book through which your users can pause the listening whenever they feel like a need. And start again from the spot they left.

• Save and Share

Allow them to bookmark any chapter, book, or section within an audiobook. Also, let them share it with others, this way your app will get a free promotion. With social media integration, you can allow your user to read the entire audiobook with recommendation messages via email, text message, or other.

► Admin Panel

Here are some features for your admin panel for your audiobook that you can explore.

• Content Management

One of the keys to make your app successful in the long run is allowing your admin panel to have control and manage the content on the audiobook app. This way, they can edit audiobook information, track availability, set prices, see the best sellers, and act as per that.

• User Management

Through User Management, you can see a list of user accounts and registration details, and get to know their preferences to target them accordingly. You can track user activity for troubleshooting purposes and find ways to increase their content engagement.

• Get Insights Into Performance

By doing this, you can get to know about the active subscription (if you have one), sales, create and manage marketing campaigns as per that. This will also help you promote your best seller and offer discounts etc.

Amazing Advanced Features for Your App like Audible

If you want to have a competitive edge over your rivals, here are some of the best-advanced features.

► Available on different devices

This feature will allow the user to switch their reading to any device or software such as cars, speakers & more. In this interconnected world will motivate them even more to download and engage with your app.

► Voice Assistance

In an era where convenience reigns supreme, you can let them leverage voice assistance to look up particular content or things, this way you can offer more comfort to them.

► AI-powered Narration

The best way you can utilize AI for your app is by analyzing their listening history, genre preferences, and completion rates to suggest new audiobooks they might enjoy. Also, allow your user to narration speed depending on their preference.

► Immersive Listening

Integrate Spatial Audio Technology to create a more immersive listening experience, placing the listener virtually within the story’s environment. Also, you can display the audiobook text during the narration for better visual learning which is only possible if you hire a mobile app developer from a talented company.

As we laid the foundation of the features, it’s time we talk about the cost to develop an app like Audible – a crucial part for you to consider.

How Much it Cost to Develop an App Like Audible?

So, how much does it cost to build an app like Audible”? You might be wondering about the same.

Audible-like app development cost ranges from $40,000 to $150,000. The cost depends on various factors such as features, complexity, and platform you use. Such as, if you go for a basic version, it might be cost-effective compared to an advanced version.

Here is a small breakdown of the different versions, let’s get to know about it:

So, just like that, there are other elements involved in deciding your cost to develop an app. Get to know more about them too:

Factors Affecting the Cost to Develop an App like Audible

So you might have a good understanding of how much it costs to develop an app like Audible, and now it’s time to look at factors affecting the Audible-like app development cost.

Let’s have a look at them:

1] Complexity

Out of all other factors, complexity is one of the most common factors.

Simply put, if your app is complex and needs more time to build, it will automatically increase the cost to develop an app like Audible. Whereas, if your app is simple, and doesn’t take a lot of developer’s time, then it will reduce the overall cost.

2] Development Platform

Selecting the right platform is a crucial decision, so choose the one that suits your target audience well. You will get two options:

1. Native App Development (Android & iOS) – $60,000-$120,000, this can change as per the platform.
2. Hybrid App Development– $30,000-$100,000.

Both have their own benefits so you choose the best as per your requirement.

3] Developer’s Expertise

Now moving on, the developer’s expertise is yet another important aspect for you to consider for the cost to develop an audiobook app like Audible. The experience level of your developer is important, regardless of whether you choose Android app developer or hire iOS app developers.

See, it’s simple if developers have more experience in their field, and have good command over the latest trends or tools, their charges won’t be nominal.

Let’s check out how a developer’s expertise can affect your overall cost to build an app like Audible.

4] Maintenance of the App

App maintenance is yet another important thing. You see, once you launch an app like Audible, you need to keep it free from bugs, and issue-free.

There are several things that you can take care of initially such as you can invest in a high-quality tech stack and testing process to catch bugs and prevent any issue earlier.

This way you can reduce your cost to maintain an app translating to reduce your cost to develop an audiobook like Audible.

5] Developer’s Location

Another factor that’s related to the developer is geographical location.

If you hire app developers from a top on-demand app development company in the USA, the charges will be high due to the high standard of living. Whereas, the charges of developers from other countries such as Eastern Europe or Asia will not be that high.

Let’s see the hourly rates of developers that can affect your cost to develop an app like Audible.

With this out of the way, let’s see how long it takes to build an Audible-like app development cost.

How Long Does it Take to Develop an App Like Audible?

So, how long does it take to develop an app like Audible?

The development time can be 13 weeks to 17 weeks for a basic app and can go up to 17 to 25 weeks for an advanced app.

See here is a breakdown for a better understanding:

Popular Monetization Models for Your App like Audible

Seeing the potential of revenue, businesses like to invest in building an app like Audible. So, how you will back the money you invested, let’s get to know about some of the app monetization strategies that are of help:

1. Subscription

One of the most popular models that is catching the attention of businesses is Subscription.

Users have to pay a particular fee to continue with the app after a 30-day trial on a monthly or yearly basis.

Many audiobooks have turned to subscription-based apps to offer them access to unlimited eBooks.

This can be a great option if you have advanced features in your app such as AI-powered narration or free audiobooks for them.

2. Advertising

Advertising is surely one of the popular monetization models through which you can show relevant third-party ads to your user and earn money on pay-per-click or impression.

You can also target them through various types of ads such as video ads, banners, interstitial ad & more. Make sure to find a balance between showing them ads and maintaining their experience on the app.

3. Partnerships

Another best model is partnerships; you can collaborate with different brands and businesses to offer products & services.

This can accelerate user growth and help to target a huge user base. Choose partners that complement your product & services that provide value to you/your partner and audience.

4. Author Promotion

Many authors go unnoticed, you can promote them and their work on your platform in exchange for a fee. This way, they will be seen by a huge audience and you will get a constant source of income. It also exposes the app to a new pool of potential users who are already interested in audiobooks.

5. Selling Audiobooks

Selling Audiobooks can be a great way to generate money for your business. For every sale you can take a cut from the profit, making it a win-win situation for both authors and your platform.

Unlike Physical Books, audiobooks have relatively low production costs, so there’s no printing, warehousing, or distribution required. Hence, you can get your hands on a high-profit margin.

How Nimble AppGenie Can Help to Build an App Like Audible?

The audiobook industry’s booming! Have you considered developing an app like Audible?

It’s a challenging but rewarding market and with the right expertise, you can create something exceptional.

Consequently, we suggest you take the help of Nimble AppGenie, a top mobile app development company that can not only successfully convert your app idea into reality but also take your business toward growth.

We can help you get the best of this industry with the latest trends and reinvent new possibilities for your business.

Hire dedicated developers from us and turn your vision into a successful audiobook.

Conclusion

In essence, as people are getting familiar with this concept of Audiobooks, they are constantly seeking new audiobook apps on their phones to read or listen to books.

You can target such users with a top-notch app built by a market-leading company i.e. Nimble AppGenie with a plethora of tools. This way you will attract them to your app and turn them into a loyal fan base.

FAQs

Niketan Sharma

Niketan Sharma is the CTO of Nimble AppGenie, a prominent website and mobile app development company in the USA that is delivering excellence with a commitment to boosting business growth & maximizing customer satisfaction. He is a highly motivated individual who helps SMEs and startups grow in this dynamic market with the latest technology and innovation.