BookBeat Reviews 243

I downloaded the BookBeat app in June as I was looking for an alternative to Audible. Unfortunately, I quickly discovered that the library was extremely limited and did not include any of the titles I was interested in. I purchased a single audiobook and listened to it, but when I searched for another, there was again nothing I wished to read.
Three months later, BookBeat began charging me for a subscription without any prior notification or consent. They have since stated that purchasing the initial audiobook constituted signing up for an account and have refused to issue a refund.
This has been a disappointing experience overall — both in terms of the limited content available and the lack of transparency around billing. I would not recommend BookBeat.

I cancelled the free trial and sent a request to delete my account few months earlier. And suddenly they charged a fee this month! The energy you put into deal with them is not worth it. I do not recommend the service.

I'm generally happy with my experience, but I'm not sure I'll continue my subscription. I'll preface by saying that I'm not a reader, I'm envious of those that can read for enjoyment, having tried audiobooks I can definitely see the appeal here. I got the 60 student trial so no complaints here. As I've explored more I come across book suggestions online, or see things in bookshops that I think sound appealing I check book beat and they either don't list it, or you need to buy it separately and it's not in the subscription. Maybe I'm not their target audience, maybe I'm interested in different books. Either way, I've had no technical issues and no issues with the app, but I can't see my subscription continuing.

I tried BookBeat’s Premium plan (100 hours/month) but had a frustrating experience due to technical issues and unhelpful customer support.

Pros:

✔ Decent audiobook selection (though not as large as Audible)
✔ User-friendly app when it works

Cons:

❌ Offline listening failed – I downloaded books for a long flight, but when I tried to listen, they wouldn’t play due to an error. This meant I lost valuable hours that I had paid for.
❌ Customer service was dismissive – When I reported the issue, I was only told that my email had been forwarded to technical support. I never received a real solution, compensation, or even a proper apology.
❌ Hours expire unfairly – If you don’t use them, they disappear, even if you lost them due to their own app issues. Unlike Audible, where you keep purchased books, BookBeat simply removes the hours you paid for.

Final Verdict:

If the app works perfectly for you, then BookBeat might be fine. But if you run into any issues, don’t expect them to help. I’ll be using up my last free week and switching to Audible, where at least I get to keep my books and get real customer support.

Let me start by saying I've never used this website.
I've Just checked my online bank account and found out they took £18 out of my account without my permission, I've just had to cancel my card and luckily the bank will refund me, but I'm so angry they stole money off me. Do not use them, even if they offer you a free trial.

Do NOT give this company any or your details. They claim to give you a free trial and then despite cancelling well before the end date (due to the app not working) they STILL charge you and use your bank details they captured 6 months before. I have contacted them and await their reply and my refund for the £6.99 they stole. Utterly disgusting. AVOID.

Something really strange going on here, or else I am a fool - I am open to being corrected here
Downloaded the app, and was all in Swedish despite my app store location being an accurate representation of where I am (Ireland). No option to translate on the website, as has also been stated by other online reviews
Managed to try to translate enough of the information to get an email verification sent to my account, upon which I was asked to select a payment plan. To note, I also had to download Chat GPT and use a free trial with them for all the translations, which was also frustrating.
Once again, this was in Swedish so I selected what I believed to be the correct one.
I tried both of my bank cards, and they would not accept either of them - without any clear reason identifiable.
I do believe there are regulations regarding how and why a company is able to refuse legal tender, and none of the valid reasons for refusal seem to have been stated. One would wonder why offer the service to an audience if you are unable to accept their most commonly used form of payment?
My phone is registered to the local app store and the app was advertised to me instantly when I looked up audiobooks. If you're not going to accept a card as standard as VISA, why expose yourself to all the hassle? Just remove yourself from countries that you won't accept their tender?
Really strange, and again, I am open to correction, maybe I missed something obvious. I also messaged the company on instagram and got no response.
Strange and bizarre. Had really looked forward to using this app as my friends in the UK have found it to be very enjoyable

Misleading trial period, scam of a company. Impossible to get in contact with. Practically stealing my money.

I sign up for a free trial and that same day money is taken from my account. Weeks of back and forth to get that money given back and inform them to close my account. Then 1 month later another payment is taken and I cannot get in touch with anyone to close my account and get this second payment back

Misleading and predatory free trial system

You cannot cancel the payment without losing free trial (unheard of). When you activate the free trial it doesn't even work and redirects you to the payment site.