Downpour: Practical Tips That Make a Difference
If you’ve landed on Downpour’s website, you’ve probably already spotted what makes it different: a DRM-free audiobook store that lets you actually own your files. No proprietary apps, no locked-down ecosystem, no feeling like you’re renting your library. But Downpour also runs its own subscription service, and that’s where things get interesting—and where a few insider tips can save you real money.
Here’s how to make Downpour work harder for you, whether you’re a first-time subscriber or a veteran listener looking to optimize.
What Downpour Actually Is (and Isn’t)
Downpour launched in 2011 as an independent audiobook retailer with a simple pitch: sell DRM-free audiobooks in open formats like M4B and MP3. That means the files you buy are yours. You can back them up, play them in any app, and keep them forever, even if you cancel your account.
The subscription service, Downpour Select, works on a credit system similar to Audible: you pay a monthly fee, get a set number of credits, and trade those credits for audiobooks. But the differences matter.
What Downpour Select gives you:
- DRM-free downloads — no app required, no playback restrictions
- M4B and MP3 formats — M4B supports chapter markers and bookmarking, which is huge for longer titles
- A 30% discount on all non-credit purchases — so if you want a book that costs less than a credit, you’re better off buying it outright
- A free monthly audiobook — members get one curated title each month at no cost, and it’s yours to keep
What Downpour doesn’t give you:
- No Whispersync — Amazon’s sync technology is exclusive to Audible and Kindle
- No exclusive originals — Downpour doesn’t produce its own content, so you won’t find platform-only releases
- A smaller catalog — Downpour carries around 200,000 titles versus Audible’s massive library, though they cover most major publishers
The trade-off is clear: you’re sacrificing some convenience and selection for true ownership and format freedom. For listeners who’ve been burned by Audible’s DRM, that’s a fair deal.
Try Audible Free for 30 Days — Start your free trial on Amazon and get two free audiobooks.
The Credit Math: When Subscribing Beats Buying
Downpour’s credit pricing is straightforward: one credit per month costs $13, two credits cost $22.95, and you can roll over unused credits for up to six months. But here’s the thing—credits aren’t always the smartest purchase.
The rule of thumb: If a title costs less than your per-credit price, buy it with cash. You’ll get the 30% member discount, and you’ll save your credits for bigger-ticket items.
Let’s run the numbers. Say you’re on the two-credit plan at $11.48 per credit. A backlist title like The Hobbit might retail for $19.99, but with your 30% discount, it drops to $13.99. That’s still more than a credit, so you’d use a credit. But a shorter title—say, a 4-hour novella priced at $9.99—drops to $6.99 with the discount. That’s a clear cash purchase.
The real credit sweet spot: long audiobooks. Downpour prices by retail, not by length, so a 40-hour epic like The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson costs the same as a 6-hour thriller. If you’re using credits, always spend them on the longest titles in your wishlist. That’s where your per-hour cost drops dramatically.
One more tip: Downpour runs frequent sales, often 50-60% off select titles. If you’re not in a hurry, wait for a sale and buy with cash. Your credits stay banked for titles that rarely discount.
The Free Monthly Audiobook: Don’t Skip It
Every month, Downpour Select members get one free audiobook. It’s usually a lesser-known title, often from a smaller publisher, but it’s genuinely yours to keep—no strings attached.
The catch? You have to actively claim it. It doesn’t auto-add to your library. Check the “Members” section of the site each month and grab it before it rotates out.
A concrete example: In recent months, Downpour has offered titles like The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins and The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker—both critically acclaimed novels that would cost $15-20 otherwise. That’s a $180-240 annual value on top of your subscription.
If you’re a genre reader, this is also a low-risk way to discover authors you’d never try otherwise. Worst case, you spend an hour and move on. Best case, you find a new favorite.
Format Matters: Why M4B Beats MP3
Downpour gives you a choice between M4B and MP3 files. Most listeners default to MP3 because it’s familiar, but M4B is genuinely better for audiobooks.
M4B advantages:
- Chapter markers built in — skip between chapters without hunting for track breaks
- Bookmarking support — most audiobook apps handle M4B bookmarks natively
- Smaller file sizes — better compression without sacrificing audio quality
- Resume playback — apps remember where you stopped, even across devices
The one caveat: M4B files are DRM-free but still use Apple’s AAC codec. If you’re on a device that doesn’t support AAC—some older Android players, for instance—you’ll need to convert. But for 99% of listeners, M4B is the right choice.
A concrete example: Say you’re listening to The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, a 28-hour audiobook. With MP3, you’re dealing with hundreds of track files, each representing a few minutes of audio. With M4B, you get one file with clean chapter breaks. If you’re using an app like Bookmobile or Bound, the M4B version will feel like a native audiobook experience. The MP3 version will feel like a music album.
Using Downpour with Your Existing Audiobook Apps
Because Downpour files are DRM-free, you can play them in virtually any audiobook app. This is the platform’s biggest advantage over Audible, and it’s worth exploiting.
Best app pairings:
- Bookmobile (iOS) — free, handles M4B beautifully, supports CarPlay
- Bound (iOS) — $5.99, sleek interface, excellent bookmarking
- Listen Audiobook Player (Android) — $1.99, handles large libraries well
- Smart Audiobook Player (Android) — free with ads, paid version removes them, great speed controls
The library sync trick: If you use multiple devices, you’ll need to manage your listening position manually. Downpour doesn’t offer a library sync feature like Libby does. But if you’re using an app that supports cloud storage—say, uploading your M4B files to Dropbox and opening them in Bookmobile—you can get close to seamless syncing.
A practical example: You listen to Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir on your commute using your phone. When you get home, you want to continue on your tablet. With Audible, that’s automatic. With Downpour, you’d need to manually find your spot. It’s a minor inconvenience, but it’s worth knowing before you commit.
The 30% Discount: Your Secret Weapon
Here’s a tip most Downpour members overlook: the 30% member discount applies to everything in the store, not just full-price titles. That includes sale items, which means you can stack discounts.
A concrete example: Downpour runs a “2-for-1” sale on select titles. As a member, you get those two titles for the price of one, and then your 30% discount applies on top. That’s a 65% total discount off retail.
The math works even better on box sets and omnibus editions. A complete series collection—say, the full Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells—might retail for $60. With your 30% discount, it drops to $42. That’s cheaper than using three credits on individual titles.
The strategy: Before you use a credit, check the retail price. If the discounted price is close to your per-credit cost, buy with cash. Save credits for titles that never go on sale—usually new releases and bestsellers.
What Downpour Gets Wrong (and How to Work Around It)
No platform is perfect, and Downpour has a few weaknesses worth acknowledging.
The app problem. Downpour’s own mobile app is functional but dated. It works, but it lacks the polish of Audible or Libby. The good news: you don’t have to use it. Download your files and play them in a better app.
The catalog gap. Downpour doesn’t carry every title. Some indie authors and smaller publishers don’t distribute through them. If you’re a genre devotee who reads 50+ books a year, you’ll occasionally hit a wall. The workaround: use Downpour for your main library and supplement with Libby or Hoopla through your local library.
No returns. Audible lets you return books you didn’t enjoy. Downpour doesn’t offer that luxury. You’re stuck with your purchases, so be more careful with your credits. Read reviews, listen to audio samples, and check the narrator before committing.
A concrete example: Say you buy The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin based on hype, but you can’t stand the narrator’s delivery. With Audible, you could return it and get your credit back. With Downpour, you’re out $13. That’s a real risk, and it’s worth factoring into your buying decisions.
Is Downpour Right for You?
Downpour isn’t for everyone. If you’re deeply invested in the Audible ecosystem—if you use Whispersync, listen to Audible Originals, or rely on Audible’s massive catalog—switching entirely would be a downgrade.
But if you value ownership, format freedom, and the ability to play your audiobooks anywhere, Downpour is worth a serious look. The subscription service is competitively priced, the free monthly audiobook adds real value, and the 30% member discount makes cash purchases genuinely affordable.
The best approach: Use Downpour for titles you know you’ll want to keep forever—your favorite series, reference books, classics you’ll revisit. Use Audible or your library for everything else. It’s not an either-or decision; it’s about matching the tool to the job.
Start with a single credit month, claim your free audiobook, and buy one discounted title. That’s enough to tell you whether Downpour’s trade-offs work for your listening habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I listen to Downpour audiobooks without their app?
Yes. Since Downpour sells DRM-free files in M4B and MP3 formats, you can play them in any audiobook app that supports those formats, including Bookmobile, Bound, and Smart Audiobook Player.
How long do Downpour credits last?
Unused credits roll over for up to six months, giving you a generous window to bank them for larger purchases or sale events.
Does Downpour offer a free trial?
Downpour occasionally runs promotional trials for its Select subscription. Check the website directly for current offers, as availability changes throughout the year.
Can I return a Downpour audiobook I didn’t like?
No. Downpour does not offer returns on audiobook purchases, so it’s worth listening to audio samples and reading narrator reviews before spending a credit.
Does Downpour have an app for iOS and Android?
Yes, Downpour has its own mobile app for both platforms. It’s functional but less polished than competitors, which is why many users prefer downloading files and using third-party players instead.
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