At the end of 2023, Scribd split into three separate platforms. One of those, Everand, was dedicated to audiobooks and ebooks. A rough algorithm update crushed what seemed like a dream for digital readers. By the start of 2025, the internet was abuzz with poor reviews and hostile commenters claiming: “I’ve been with Scribd since the start and I’m canceling my subscription!” and “Everything you thought was great is gone.” Now that the dust has settled, let’s explore whether these changes were made for the better or worse.
What’s Everand like now?
Everand is a monthly subscription service that users have likened to Netflix for books. You can access millions of audiobook and ebook titles for about the same price as Audible and Spotify subscriptions.
An Everand Subscription Includes:
- Complimentary access to the other two platforms, Scribd and SlideShare
- Personalized recommendations based on your reading
- On and off-line access to the ebook and audiobook you have downloaded
- Unlimited access to 20k+ ebooks, audiobooks, podcasts, and Everand originals
- One (Standard) or three (Plus) unlocks to access the premium catalog of an additional 1.5 million+ titles
No matter which subscription tier, you can access the same Unlimited library alongside Everand Originals written by Roxane Gay, Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, and Chuck Palahniuk. This makes it a great choice for avid readers who want a mix of audiobooks and ebooks without breaking the bank. The library is extensive, the app works across multiple devices, and there are plenty of bookish podcasts to explore.
Reading Rituals: Features That Make Everand Shine
While using the service, I found plenty of features I like. You can organize your TBR by making lists within the app. You can choose from a variety of playback speeds to customize your listening even further. Depending on the narrator, you can slow it down to .08x or speed it up to 3x. Plus, I can use it on up to four mobile devices. I don’t need multiple subscriptions, whether I want to listen on my Kindle, phone, or even my work computer.
I especially appreciate the sleep timer option while listening. I love a bit of background noise as I’m falling asleep. Now, I can pick out a book from one of my pre-made lists and set a timer to avoid missing key plot points once I fall asleep. It beats falling asleep to Ocean Waves on Rocky Shores!
Bookmark or Pass? What to know about Everand’s unlock system.
Everand’s model relies on the thousands of “Unlimited” titles to draw you in, but there’s one big catch. You get a set number of “unlocks” each month, one for Standard or three for Plus. These unlocks allow you to listen to new releases and other premium titles.
When you find a book you want to unlock, you see options to either “Play sample” or “Unlock title.” You can see how many unlocks you have remaining for the month by visiting your account. Your available unlocks are displayed underneath your name and subscription level, along with the date when a new batch of unlocks is available.
Once unlocked, titles are yours to read as often as you would like, as long as your subscription is active and the title stays on the platform. It’s important to note that unused unlocks are not rolled over into the new month.
Dog-Eared Pages: Where Everand Could Improve
My first impression of Everand is that browsing Unlimited titles is more of a hassle than I appreciate. Sure, there are tabs for Unlimited and Everand Originals, but I would like to browse by format — Ebooks, Audiobooks, and Podcasts — similar to the premium titles. Currently, you’re stuck either scrolling through audiobooks and hoping to spot the “Unlimited” label or browsing nine underwhelming categories. For a paid subscription, browsing navigation really should be better.
I heard that the children’s audiobooks were a lifesaver for work-at-home moms. If I was bogged down at work or had a meeting scheduled, I could put one of our books down with an audiobook playing for a DIY read-along for my youngest. As I looked through the titles of children’s books, I couldn’t find any audiobook versions matching our home collection. That is, not without using one of my coveted unlocks. This feels like a missed opportunity when so many families seek affordable, screen-free entertainment options.
In terms of the eReader itself, it’s standard but functional. There is a dog-ear function to mark pages. You can access common options by long-pressing a word or sentence. You can also skip to a specific chapter. Tapping the bottom of the screen will display your current page number and the chapter title.
That said, you might get a surprise background color depending on whether your device is in light or dark mode. While attempting to read The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie, I was met with an unreadable black and orange screen. This was not exactly the cozy reading vibe I hoped for.
To Subscribe or Not to Subscribe? The Final Verdict
Although this service is a robust all-in-one platform for book lovers, it does have its flaws. I appreciate the Originals collection, but many other users agree that Everand works best when used alongside other audiobook platforms like BookBeat, Libby, or Audible.
Everand may be worthwhile if its strengths align with your reading habits, but it might not be for you if you seek greater control and consistent access to specific titles.
Get ready for more audiobooks in your future by checking out our list of 15 Of The World’s Greatest Audiobook Narrators!
For behind-the-scenes on how an audiobook is made, check out Beyond the Manuscript: How Writers Craft Captivating Audio Experiences on Bookstr!
