Ever feel like you don't have full control over your Audible audiobooks? Even if you've bought and downloaded it, you can only listen to purchased Audible audiobooks within the app or Audible's ecosystem. If you want to play Audible audiobooks freely on any device, Libation can help you. It's a free and open-source Audible converter that removes DRM and converts books to MP3 or M4B format so you can listen to Audible books on unauthorized devices like an old iPod or in your car without using the Audible app.
In this review, we'll analyze what Libation is, how it works, its strengths and weaknesses, and most importantly, what is the best alternative for better conversion and backup results. Now, let's dive in and see if Libation is right for you.
Part 1. What Is Libation and Why Do You Need It?
If you have searched for free ways to convert Audible audiobooks to MP3, you may have seen Libation Audible Converter, or "Libation" for short. But what exactly is this tool and why should you use it to convert Audible audiobooks? That's what we are going to explain in this part.
What Is Libation?
Libation is a free, open source tool hosted on GitHub that connects to your Audible account, scans your library, strips Audible DRM, and converts AAX files to MP3 or M4B format. For those unfamiliar, AAX is a DRM-protected format that makes audiobook files proprietary to Audible and playable only in the Audible app. With Libation extraction, you can liberate your Audible library, which is the concept that this software is labeled as.
Key Features of Libation:
- DRM Removal: Libation removes DRM locks from Audible audio files so you can play them outside of the Audible app.
- Audible AAX to MP3 or M4B Conversion: Libation converts AAX audiobooks to audio formats like MP3 or M4B. Then you can listen to the converted audiobook on any device such as an MP3 player, an old iPod, and more.
- Batch Processing: Libation can download and convert multiple books, or download the entire Audible library at once.
- Download PDFs: Grab the accompanying Audible PDF (illustrations, guides, visual aids, etc.) and download it along with the audiobook.
- Chapter Splitting: For large audiobook files, Libation can split them into chapters so you can save them as smaller individual audio files for easier chapter navigation.
- Export Audible Library as an Excel file: Libation exports your Audible library book information and organize it into an XLSX file with complete metadata, including title, author, narrator, length, publisher, genre, and more. This gives you the clarity and flexibility to organize your Audible library.
- Cross-Platform Support: Libation runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Why Do You Need Libation?
1. Truly own your Audible audiobook purchases:
With Libation, you can download your Audible audiobook purchases to your device and keep them forever, without worrying that one day the book will be deleted from Audible.
2. Better organize and manage your Audible library:
With an exported Excel file of your entire Audible library with ID3 tags, you can keep track of your books and categorize them by author, release year, status, length, or any way you like.
3. Play your Audible books without restrictions:
By removing DRM from Audible audio files and converting them to MP3 or M4B, you can play converted Audible files wherever and whenever you want.
Part 2. How to Use Libation to Convert Audible Audiobooks
In this section, we'll show you how to use Libation with some Libation screen shots step by step, from downloading and installing, converting AAX Audible audiobooks to MP3/M4B, to exporting the conversion and saving it on your computer.
Step 1Download and Install Libation
- Go to the Libation GitHub release page.
- Download the latest version for your computer's operating system.
- If you are using a Window computer, extract the .zip file to a folder and run Libation.exe from that folder.
- If you are using a macOS computer, see the Libation macOS Official Guide.
- If you are using a Linux computer, see the Libation Linux Official Guide.
Step 2Connect to Your Audible Account
- Launch Libation.
- Click the "Settings" tab and select "Accounts."
- Enter your Audible email address and select your Audible region.
- Click "Save" to trigger the Audible login page, and then use your Audible credentials to complete the login process.
Step 3Import Your Audible Library
- Click the "Import" tab.
- Click "Scan Library." Libation will load all the titles stored in the Audible library for you. However, only purchased content will appear, not content in the Plus catalog.
Step 4Download and Convert Audiobooks
- Once Libation has successfully loaded the Audible library, hover your mouse over the audiobook you want to download.
- Click the Download button next to the title (shown as a stoplight icon).
- Libation converts Audible AAX files to M4B by default. If you want to convert books to MP3, click the "Settings" tab and select "Audio File Options."
- Enable the "Download my books as MP3 files" option.
- Click "Save" to confirm.
- If the spotlight turns green, the audiobook is now DRM-free and has been converted to the audio format of your choice.
Step 5View the Downloaded Files
- Once the download is complete, you can now check the results by locating the output folder.
- On Windows, the default output folder for Libation is usually: C:\Users\YourName]\Libation\output
- On macOS/Linux: /Users/[YourName]/Libation/books
- To change the location of the output, go to Libations' "Settings" and change the location under "Output Folder."
Bonus Tips:
Besides downloading Audible audiobooks in MP3 or M4B formats, you can also download the attached PDFs of the book and export your library as an Excel file, and here's how to do it:
Tip 1. Download PDF Attachments:
If your audiobook contains a companion PDF file (such as a guide or illustrations), a PDF icon will appear next to the traffic light icon. You can click on it to automatically download the PDF file at the same time as the audio file. If a downward arrow icon appears on the PDF icon, it means that this PDF has been successfully downloaded to your computer.
Tip 2. Export Your Library as an Excel File:
Want to save your list of audiobooks? Click on the "Export" tab. In the pop up window, select where to export, select the "Excel Workbook" as the output type, and finally click on "Save" to create an Excel spreadsheet with all your audiobooks information. This will help you easily organize, search or share your collection.
Part 3. Pros and Cons of Libation Audible Converter
After seeing the workflow of Libation, you may understand why it has become a popular tool for converting Audible audiobooks to MP3 for free, but it is not a tool without limitations. In the following , we will summarize the main pros and cons of Libation software based on our experience in using it to help you understand whether it is suitable for your Audible audiobook conversion needs.
- Pros
- Free to use
- Removes Audible's DRM
- Supports downloading PDFs that come with Audible
- Supports batch conversion
- Fast conversion speeds
- Cons
- No official support or help center
- Outdated interface design
- Requires some technical knowledge to install the open-source program
- Requires Audible account credentials to log in
- Output formats limited to MP3 and M4B
- Occasional bugs or compatibility issues
- Slows down when converting large audiobook files
Part 4. Best Libation Alternative to Remove Audible DRM
Although Libation converts Audible audiobooks well, it's not a perfect tool for everyone, especially those who prefer more output formats, faster conversion speeds and a more user-friendly interface. If this is you too, we think ViWizard Audible Audiobooks Converter is a better choice for you. To help you see why ViWizard is better, check out the table below:
Libation vs ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter Comparison
| Feature | Libation | ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter |
|---|---|---|
| Remove Audible DRM | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Output Formats | MP3, M4B | MP3, M4A, AAC, AC3, OGG, AIFF, APE, FLAC, WAV, WMA, M4B, M4R, MKA, AU |
| Conversion Speed | Standard | ⚡ Up to 100X faster (batch download) |
| Require Audible Login | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Preserve Chapters | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Yes |
| Edit ID3 Tags | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Adjust Sample Rate/Bitrate | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Adjust Narration Speed, Pitch, Volume | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| User Interface | Minimal and technical | ✅ User-friendly and intuitive |
| Customer Support | ❌ None (community only) | ✅ Dedicated support team |
| System Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows & macOS |
Unlike open-source tools such as Libation, ViWizard Audible audiobook converter prioritizes providing you with faster conversion speed and more professional features such as chapter segmentation, narration control, customizable audio quality, and wider audio format compatibility. We believe that ViWizard can stand out with its rich features, whether for beginners who have never used any audiobook converter or some serious audiobook collectors. You can download it and try it for 100% free.
A unique and innovative Audible audiobook converter to convert any protected Audible audio book from AA or AAX formats to universal formats, including lossless audio, MP3, AAC, FLAC, M4A, M4B, 2AV, AC3, and more in an easiest yet fastest way ever and with up to 100× super faster speed.
How to Convert Audible Audiobooks with ViWizard
Step 1Import Audible AAX Files
Firstly, download and install ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter on your Windows or Mac computer. Make sure you have downloaded the AAX file for Audible audiobook, which can be downloaded from Audible.com. Then, simply drag and drop the. aa or. aax file onto the ViWizard interface.
Step 2Customize Output Format and Audio Settings
Click on the "Format" panel at the bottom and select your preferred output format. ViWizard supports over 15 audio formats, including MP3, M4A, FLAC, AAC, and more. You can also click on the "Edit" icon next to each audiobook to:
- Split large audiobooks by chapter or time
- Adjust playback speed, pitch, and volume
- Change sampling rate, bit rate, channel, and codec
- Edit ID3 tags such as title, artist, genre, etc.
Step 3Start Converting and Removing DRM
Click the "Convert" button. ViWizard will automatically remove DRM from Audible audiobooks and convert them to the format of your choice at up to 100x speed. After conversion, you can find the output file in the output folder and transfer it to any device for playback without any restriction.
Part 5. FAQs about Libation Software
Q1.Can Libation convert iTunes audiobooks too?
A1.No, Libation is specifically designed for Audible audiobooks.The main purpose of Libation is to scan, convert, and manage your Audible library, not iTunes or Apple Books content. If you want to convert audiobooks purchased from Apple, you need to use other tools like ViWizard Audio Converter.
Q2.Is Libation safe to use?
A2.Libation is generally considered safe, especially because it is open source and widely used by the audiobook community. However, you do need to log in with your Audible account, which is always a bit risky when using third-party software. So, to avoid malware, please always download Libation from its official GitHub or website.
Q3.How does Libation compare to OpenAudible?
A3.Libation is completely free and open source, while OpenAudible requires a paid license.
- If you want a free solution and are happy with the community support, Libation is a good choice.
- If you want to convert Audible AAX files to MP3, M4A, M4B formats and want customer support to deal with the bugs and issues, and don't mind spending a bit of money on a software, OpenAudible is probably better!
Q4.Is it legal to use Libation to convert Audible audiobooks?
A4.Yes, it is legal to use Libation to remove DRM from your Audible audiobook purchases for personal use. You're already paying for these audiobooks, Libation just gives you more flexibility to enjoy them on more devices. However, sharing or distributing DRM-free files with others would be a violation of copyright law.
We do, however, recommend that you refer to your local copyright laws; in most areas, while such an action would not be illegal, it would fall into a legal gray area.
Q5.Does Libation keep Audible chapter information after conversion?
A5.Yes, Libation retains chapter information when converting audiobooks, especially in the M4B format. This means you can easily navigate between chapters in the converted file, just like in the Audible app.
However, for long audiobooks, Libation may not ensure consistent chapter retention. We recommend that you use ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter to get accurate preservation of chapters, metadata, and other information.
Final Verdict
If you are looking for a free way to convert Audible audiobooks, Libation is a good choice. This tool effectively removes DRM from AAX files and converts them to MP3 and M4B formats that can be played on other devices.
However, Libation does have its limitations. It lacks a nice interface, doesn't offer official support, flexible output settings and advanced features like consistent chapter retention. If you prefer a more professional and efficient converter, ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter is a better choice.
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Dave Henry, a multimedia technologist at ViWizard, focuses on delivering the best solutions for digital media challenges, including audio and video conversion, media optimization, and troubleshooting.
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