Audiobookshelf

Audio & Video

Organize and listen to audiobooks and podcasts on your own server, with synchronized progress.

Use with conditions

Official website Repository

Last updatedRelease 2026-09-28

Open source licenseGPL-3.0

PlatformsWeb / PWA · Android beta · iOS beta (limited enrollment)

DeploymentContainers / self-hosted

About this project

Audiobookshelf is a self-hosted audiobook and podcast server. It scans a media library and streams audio to web or application clients. Podcasts can be searched, downloaded, and configured for automatic retrieval of new episodes. Multiple users can have separate accounts and permissions, with listening progress recorded per user and synchronized across the devices they use.

Library tools include metadata and cover matching, chapter editing, audio processing, and bulk folder uploads. RSS feeds provide another access route, and a basic reader handles ebook formats including EPUB and PDF. The documented automatic daily backups cover application metadata; that scope should be distinguished from separately preserving all of the audiobook and podcast media files.

The repository labels the Android and iOS applications as beta. Its media-library instructions describe folder organization and naming, which should be considered before importing a collection. Reverse-proxy deployments require WebSocket support. Serving the application beneath an existing website also has a specific supported subdirectory, rather than accepting an arbitrary path chosen for another site's layout.

Audiobookshelf — Official README

Decision guide

Why it is worth a look

Audiobook streaming and automatic podcast downloads in one application
First-party usage or installation documentation is available
A verifiable formal release record is available

Before you use it

Mobile applications are still labeled beta
The official README says iOS TestFlight enrollment is full
Directory structure and filenames affect recognition
The reverse proxy must support WebSocket
The config database directory must be local and cannot be a network mount.

Manual setupHigh

With an AI agentModerate

DeploymentContainers / self-hosted

Additional requirements3 confirmed; others not verified

Choose a deployment method from the official installation entry point; Confirmed requirements: Command line, Docker, An always-on device or service; Some requirements have not been verified. Check the official setup instructions.

What it can do

Audiobook streaming
Automatic podcast downloads
Cross-device progress synchronization
Multi-user permissions
Metadata and cover lookup
Basic ebook reading

Who it fits

Good for

People with audiobook files; People needing separate listening progress for household members

Not a fit

Unwilling to maintain a self-hosted service and not considering hosting providers; Only accepting a workflow without checking permissions and data backups

Getting started

Use the officially recommended Docker Compose setup
Mount local config, metadata, and media directories separately
Start the service, create an account, and add a media library
Verify listening progress and backups before importing the entire collection

Alternatives to consider

What it takes

Getting startedModerate

Ongoing maintenanceModerate

Failure impactModerate

Knowledge neededModerate

Not selected for comparison.

Get help from an AI agent

DeploymentContainers / self-hosted

Additional requirements3 confirmed; others not verified

With an AI agentModerate

{
  "project": "Audiobookshelf",
  "decision": "Use with conditions",
  "purpose": "Organize and listen to audiobooks and podcasts on your own server, with synchronized progress.",
  "repository": "https://github.com/advplyr/audiobookshelf",
  "official_site": "https://www.audiobookshelf.org/",
  "deploy_shape": "Containers / self-hosted",
  "additional_dependencies": "Choose a deployment method from the official installation entry point; Confirmed requirements: Command line, Docker, An always-on device or service; Some requirements have not been verified. Check the official setup instructions.",
  "direct_setup": "High",
  "ai_assisted_setup": "Moderate",
  "operational_burden": "Moderate",
  "operational_risk": "Moderate",
  "knowledge_requirement": "Moderate",
  "license": "GPL-3.0",
  "install_steps": [
    "Use the officially recommended Docker Compose setup",
    "Mount local config, metadata, and media directories separately",
    "Start the service, create an account, and add a media library",
    "Verify listening progress and backups before importing the entire collection"
  ],
  "good_for": "People with audiobook files; People needing separate listening progress for household members",
  "avoid_if": "Unwilling to maintain a self-hosted service and not considering hosting providers; Only accepting a workflow without checking permissions and data backups"
}