--- schema_type: "SoftwareApplication" entity_type: "Mobile Application" app_name: "Audiobooks King" developer_entity: "Nishkarsh Bhati" bundle_id: "com.mb.audiobooksking" app_store_id: "6740301016" category: "Book" primary_platform: "ios" primary_monetization: "Free" offline_capable: false market_region: "US" platforms: "iOS" app_last_updated: "2025-08-26" report_date: "2026-07-29" last_verified: "2026-07-29T00:00:00.000Z" report_version: "1.4.0" total_reviews: 142 overall_rating: 3.3 sentiment: "Frustrated" sentiment_score: 35 confidence: "medium" confidence_score: 0.6 top_praise_theme: "Free access to a wide selection of popular audiobooks provides significant value for budget-conscious listeners" top_complaint_theme: "The lack of an automatic progress saving feature forces users to manually bookmark their position" review_sample_size: 49 total_review_count: 49 analyzed_review_count: 49 data_age_days: 18 momentum_velocity: "zombie" intelligence_version: 5 nemesis: "Librivox" competitor_count: 10 tags: ["book", "free", "frustrated sentiment", "mobile app", "app review", "app analysis", "readers", "listeners", "interested"] canonical_url: "https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-mb-audiobooksking" license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0" content_version: "v2" --- # Audiobooks King Intelligence Report ## TL;DR {#tldr} - **Category**: Book · Free - **Signal**: Rating 3.32 · Sentiment Frustrated - **Recent focus**: The lack of an automatic progress saving feature forces users to manually bookmark their position (top complaint) · Free access to a wide selection of popular audiobooks provides significant value for budget-conscious listeners (top praise) > **TL;DR:** Audiobooks King is a book app by Nishkarsh Bhati, rated 3.32/5 by 142 users, with Frustrated user sentiment (35/100), available on iOS. > > **Marlvel.ai App Intelligence** - Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence. > **Key Insight:** Audiobooks King faces Frustrated user sentiment (3.32/5 from 142 reviews), with users reporting the lack of an automatic progress saving feature forces users to manually bookmark their position as the primary concern. ## Quick Facts | Fact | Value | | :--- | :--- | | **Rating** | 3.32/5 (142 reviews) | | **User Mood** | Frustrated | | **Category** | Book | | **Developer** | Nishkarsh Bhati | | **Pricing** | Free | | **Platforms** | iOS | | **Confidence** | Medium (0.6/1.0) | | **Data Age** | 18d | ## Metadata & Market Performance - **Publisher:** Nishkarsh Bhati - **Category:** Book - **Target Audience:** Readers and listeners interested in classic literature and public domain audiobooks. - **Platforms:** iOS - **Version Reviewed:** 1.4.0 - **Report Date:** 2026-07-29 - **Signal Count:** 49 reviews analyzed - **Confidence:** Medium (0.6/1.0) - **App Store ID (iOS):** 6740301016 - **Bundle ID:** com.mb.audiobooksking - **Performance Trend:** Declining - **Data Window:** Analysis based on signals collected up to 2026-07-29 ## Executive Snapshot **What it is:** Audiobooks King is a free, ad-supported iOS application providing access to public domain classic literature audiobooks. **Why users hire it:** The app removes the financial barrier of premium subscription services for users who prioritize classic literature over modern releases. ## App DNA (Features & Intent) - **[Standard] Public Domain Library:** Access to classic literature audiobooks like Pride and Prejudice and Sherlock Holmes. Content catalog serves as the primary acquisition hook for the free-to-use model. * *User Intent:* Users expect intelligent, adaptive experiences that learn from their behavior. - **[Standard] Playback Customization:** Adjustable playback speed and chapter bookmarking. Retention lever that increases session duration and habit formation. * *User Intent:* Users value self-expression and personalized experiences. - **[Standard] Personalized Playlists:** User-created lists for organizing audiobooks. Increases time spent in-app, expanding potential ad-inventory. * *User Intent:* Users value self-expression and personalized experiences. ## Market Position {#market-position} Audiobooks King occupies a niche in the free audiobook category, but its 3.32-star rating across 142 reviews reflects significant user dissatisfaction with the latest update. The lack of offline functionality and progress-saving bugs limits its competitiveness against platform-native utilities like Apple Books. ## Monetization Strategy - **Model:** Free - **Tiers:** 100% free with no subscriptions - **Analysis:** The app operates as a free, ad-supported utility for public domain content. ## 🔴 User Sentiment (Medium Confidence: 49 of 49 reviews analyzed) {#user-sentiment} - **Overall Rating:** 3.32/5 - **Platform Split:** iOS 3.3/5 (142 ratings) - **Overall Sentiment:** Frustrated ### Top Praises - **Free access to a wide selection of popular audiobooks provides significant value for budget-conscious listeners** - **Adjustable audio playback speed allows users to customize their listening experience to their personal preference** ### Top Complaints (Impact Areas) - **The lack of an automatic progress saving feature forces users to manually bookmark their position** ## SWOT Analysis {#swot} **Core Strengths:** - Intuitive interface design provides a lower-friction listening environment than legacy-heavy competitors **Growth Levers:** - Offline download functionality would address the top requested feature and improve retention ## Recent Changes (v4 → v5) {#recent-changes} The app remains in a state of development stagnation, with user feedback shifting to emphasize the lack of offline listening and the persistent failure of progress-saving mechanics. **Overall trend**: Declining **Compared at**: 2026-07-29 ### High-impact changes - **[Added] Offline Listening Gap** (features) ### Medium-impact changes - **[Added] Personalized Playlists** (features) - **[Declined] Progress Saving Failure** (sentiment) - **[] Interface Positioning** (swot) ## Rivals Landscape {#rivals} > Competitive positioning identified by AI analysis of app features, category, and market signals. ### Audiobooks King vs Librivox - **[Librivox](https://marlvel.ai/apps/librivoxbook)** by himalaya-soft: This app dominates the public domain audiobook niche with a massive, established user base and high-frequency content availability. - **Key differences:** - Leverages a massive volunteer-driven catalog that dwarfs this app's curated public domain library - Maintains a high-velocity release cadence that keeps the app relevant in search rankings - Provides a standardized listening experience that has become the industry benchmark for free audiobooks ### Contenders (Strong Challengers) - **[Audible: Audiobooks & Podcasts](https://marlvel.ai/apps/audible-audiobooks-podcasts)** by Audible, Inc.: The clear market leader in premium audio content, setting the standard for feature sets and platform integration. - Integrates exclusive podcasts and original audio content that this app cannot replicate - Features advanced synchronization across devices, including seamless transitions between mobile and smart speakers - **[Libby, the library app](https://marlvel.ai/apps/libby-the-library-app)** by OverDrive, Inc.: Provides a high-quality, free alternative by connecting users to institutional library catalogs. - Grants users access to premium, copyrighted bestsellers for free via local library card integration - Offers a polished, professional UX that significantly elevates the perceived value of free reading apps - **[Libro.fm Audiobooks](https://marlvel.ai/apps/libro-fm-audiobooks)** by Libro.fm: Strong contender focusing on ethical consumption and supporting independent bookstores. - Positions itself as the ethical alternative by funneling revenue directly to independent local bookstores - Provides a curated, human-centric discovery experience that contrasts with algorithmic-heavy platforms ### Peers (What They Do Better) - **[Apple Books](https://marlvel.ai/apps/apple-books)** by Apple: A platform-native utility that captures significant market share through deep OS integration. - Pre-installed on all iOS devices, providing an insurmountable distribution advantage over third-party apps - Offers deep system-level integration, including Siri support and seamless iCloud library synchronization - **[Amazon Kindle: Reading App](https://marlvel.ai/apps/amazon-kindle)** by AMZN Mobile LLC: The dominant force in digital reading, leveraging the massive Amazon ecosystem to lock in users. - Enables cross-platform reading progress syncing between Kindle e-readers, tablets, and mobile devices - Provides a massive, integrated storefront that makes purchasing and consuming content a single-click process - **[ReadEra – book reader pdf epub](https://marlvel.ai/apps/org-readera-book-reader)** by READERA EOOD: A highly capable reader app that excels in file format support and offline performance. - Supports a wide array of file formats including PDF, EPUB, and MOBI without requiring account registration - Operates entirely offline, appealing to users who prioritize privacy and data autonomy - **[PocketBook Reader](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-obreey-reader)** by Pocketbook International SA: A versatile reader that bridges the gap between cloud-based services and local file management. - Includes robust support for Adobe DRM, allowing users to open protected files from various sources - Features highly customizable reading settings, including advanced font and layout adjustments for power users ### New Kids on the Block (What's Innovative) - **[LibriVox Audiobooks – Ad-Free](https://marlvel.ai/apps/biz-bookdesign-librivox-pro)** by BookDesign LLC: An emerging threat that monetizes by removing the friction of ads found in the original Librivox experience. - Targets users frustrated by ad-supported models by offering a clean, paid-upfront experience - Focuses on a premium, ad-free wrapper for existing public domain content to capture high-intent listeners - **[Wattpad - Read & Write Stories](https://marlvel.ai/apps/wattpad-read-write-stories)** by Wattpad Corp: A rapidly evolving platform that blends reading with social interaction and user-generated content. - Integrates social features like comments and author-reader interaction to drive daily active usage - Prioritizes serialized, bite-sized content that fits mobile-first consumption habits better than long-form classics ## What's New - **Latest (v1.4.0, 11 months ago):** Introduced a new library page, media player bookmarking, and integrated Apple and Google sign-in options. ## App Momentum (Zombie) {#momentum} - Ships no feature updates for 11 months. - Last major release August 2025. > **Cadence:** 1 total versions · 1 majors in last 6 months · 337 days since last update ## The "So What?" (Strategic Takeaway) {#so-what} Audiobooks King is a book app that is completely free. With a 3.32/5 rating from 142 reviews, it faces significant user friction. > **Bottom Line:** The app must stabilize its core media player to prevent further churn, as the current technical instability outweighs the value of the free library. Addressing progress-saving bugs would unlock the retention potential required to compete with more stable, ad-free alternatives. **Best for:** Readers and listeners interested in classic literature and public domain audiobooks. ### PM Action Plan (Next Best Moves) - [ ] [INVEST] Ship automatic progress-saving logic because it is the top-cited churn driver → recover daily active habit ### Feature Gaps vs Competitors - Offline download functionality (available in ReadEra but missing here) ### Outlook: Declining The free audiobook market is consolidating around stable, high-content platforms, leaving Audiobooks King exposed due to its limited library and technical instability. Without a fix for the progress-saving bugs, the app will continue to lose users to more reliable, ad-free alternatives. - 🔴 The 11-month gap since the last major release suggests the app is in maintenance mode, which erodes user trust in future library updates. - 🔴 Persistent progress-saving bugs and intrusive ad crashes are driving high churn, which compounds the rating drag already visible on the platform. ## Key Metrics Summary | Metric | Value | | :--- | :--- | | Overall Rating | 3.32/5 | | Total Reviews | 142 | | Sentiment | Frustrated (35/100) | | Confidence | Medium | | Pricing Model | Free | | Platforms | iOS | | Key Features | 3 analyzed | | Trend | Declining | | Outlook | Declining | ## Competitor Comparison | App | Rating | Sentiment | Developer | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Audiobooks King** (this app) | 3.32/5 | Frustrated | Nishkarsh Bhati | | [PocketBook Reader](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-obreey-reader) | 4.5/5 | N/A | Pocketbook International SA | | [LibriVox Audiobooks – Ad-Free](https://marlvel.ai/apps/biz-bookdesign-librivox-pro) | 4.8/5 | Excited | BookDesign LLC | | [Librivox](https://marlvel.ai/apps/librivoxbook) | 4.6/5 | N/A | himalaya-soft | | [ReadEra – book reader pdf epub](https://marlvel.ai/apps/org-readera-book-reader) | 4.8/5 | Thrilled | READERA EOOD | | [Audible: Audiobooks & Podcasts](https://marlvel.ai/apps/audible-audiobooks-podcasts) | 4.9/5 | Mixed | Audible, Inc. | ## Company Profile - **Developer:** Nishkarsh Bhati - **Website:** [https://www.audioforestapp.com](https://www.audioforestapp.com) ## Data Sources & Links - **App Store:** [View on Apple Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/audiobooks-king/id6740301016?uo=2) - **Dev Site:** [Official Website](https://www.audioforestapp.com) - **Sources:** Developer website content, App store metadata, User reviews. ## Related Intel Reports - [*PocketBook Reader*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-obreey-reader) (Pocketbook International SA) · 4.5/5 Rating - [*LibriVox Audiobooks – Ad-Free*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/biz-bookdesign-librivox-pro) (BookDesign LLC) · 4.8/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment - [*Librivox*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/librivoxbook) (himalaya-soft) · 4.6/5 Rating - [*ReadEra – book reader pdf epub*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/org-readera-book-reader) (READERA EOOD) · 4.8/5 Rating | Excellent Sentiment - [*Audible: Audiobooks & Podcasts*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/audible-audiobooks-podcasts) (Audible, Inc.) · 4.9/5 Rating - [*Libby, the library app*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/libby-the-library-app) (OverDrive, Inc.) · 4.9/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment - [*Amazon Kindle: Reading App*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/amazon-kindle) (AMZN Mobile LLC) · 4.9/5 Rating - [*Libro.fm Audiobooks*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/libro-fm-audiobooks) (Libro.fm) · 4.9/5 Rating | Excellent Sentiment - [*Wattpad - Read & Write Stories*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/wattpad-read-write-stories) (Wattpad Corp) · 4.7/5 Rating - [*Apple Books*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/apple-books) (Apple) · 4.4/5 Rating ## Frequently Asked Questions {#faq} ### Is Audiobooks King free to use? Yes, Audiobooks King is marketed as 100% free with no hidden costs or subscription fees, supported by ads. ### How does Audiobooks King compare to Librivox? Librivox offers a significantly larger, community-driven library and a more established content release cadence compared to the curated, smaller library of Audiobooks King. ### Does Audiobooks King support offline listening? No, the app currently requires a constant internet connection for playback, which is a common point of frustration in user reviews. ### What are some free alternatives to Audiobooks King? Users looking for free audiobooks should consider Librivox for its massive library or Libby for access to premium content through institutional library cards. ## Methodology {#methodology} This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 5-stage AI intelligence pipeline: 1. **Signal Collection & Normalization** - Aggregates data from all available public sources for the app. Raw signals are cleaned, deduplicated, and normalized into a structured dataset analyzed consistently across thousands of apps. 2. **Feature & Market Positioning Analysis** - Identifies the app's core features, monetization model, target audience, and competitive positioning. Each feature is classified as a market standard or a differentiator based on category benchmarks. 3. **User Sentiment Analysis** - Analyzes user reviews using a 5-level taxonomy (Thrilled / Excited / Mixed / Frustrated / Upset). Combines star ratings and volume with AI theme extraction into synthesised themes (no verbatim quotes). 4. **Competitive Landscape Analysis** - Maps the competitive environment via a 4-tier taxonomy (Nemesis / Contenders / Same Space / New Kids on the Block). Prioritizes same sub-genre over broad category. 5. **Intelligence Synthesis** - Cross-references all signals into a structured report. Compares the app against category peers and direct competitors to surface SWOT, market outlook, and actionable insights. - **Confidence Score:** 0.6/1.0 (based on review volume, data source diversity, and signal quality) - **Reviews Analyzed:** 49 - **Data Sources:** user reviews, developer website, App Store metadata - **Rating Method:** Weighted average across platforms (iOS & Android), weighted by review count per platform - **Independence:** Fully independent analysis. No publisher sponsorship or editorial influence. - **Report Age:** 18 days since last refresh --- © 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-mb-audiobooksking) Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.