ACX vs Findaway Voices vs Spotify Audiobooks - Which Distribution Path Is Best for Indie Authors?
- May 21
- 4 min read
Once indie authors decide to produce an audiobook, the next question is usually:
“Right… where exactly do I publish it?”
And this is normally the point where things become confusing.
You’ll be seeing names and terms like:
ACX
Audible
Findaway Voices
Spotify
Kobo
aggregators
exclusive distribution
wide distribution
…and before long it can feel like you accidentally enrolled in a publishing law degree.
The good news is that the basics are actually fairly simple once the jargon is stripped away.
So let’s break down the main platforms indie authors are likely to come across, what they actually do, and why it matters.
First Things First - Retailers vs Distributors
This is the bit that confuses most people initially.
Some companies are:
Retailers
Meaning they sell audiobooks to listeners.
Examples:
Audible
Spotify
Apple Books
Others are:
Distributors (sometimes called aggregators)
Meaning they help get your audiobook onto multiple retailers and library platforms.
Examples:
Findaway Voices
Authors Republic
Think of distributors as the middle step between your audiobook and all the places listeners can buy or borrow it.
Once that distinction clicks into place, everything starts making a lot more sense.
What Is ACX?
ACX stands for Audiobook Creation Exchange.
It’s Amazon’s audiobook platform and is closely tied to Audible.
For years, ACX was the main route indie authors used to publish audiobooks.
Using ACX, authors can:
upload audiobooks to Audible
distribute to Amazon and Apple Books
choose exclusive or non-exclusive distribution
For many authors, it’s still a perfectly good option.
The Pros of ACX
Well-established platform
Direct connection to Audible
Fairly straightforward to use
Familiar to many indie authors
The Things to Be Aware Of
If you choose ACX exclusivity, your audiobook generally can’t be distributed elsewhere for the length of the agreement.
That’s where many authors now pause and start looking at alternatives.
What Is Findaway Voices?
Findaway Voices works differently.
Rather than being a retailer itself, it acts as a distributor.
In simple terms:you upload your audiobook once, and Findaway helps distribute it across multiple retailers and library platforms.
That can include:
Spotify
Apple Books
Kobo
Google Play
library services
This is often called “going wide”.
Why Some Authors Prefer It
Some authors like the flexibility of not being tied to a single retailer.
Wide distribution can:
increase discoverability
reach library listeners
spread income across multiple platforms
reduce reliance on Audible alone
The Trade-Off
Wide distribution can sometimes feel slightly less straightforward initially because there are more platforms involved.
But for many indie authors, the added reach is worth it.
So Where Does Spotify Fit Into All This?
Spotify is primarily a retailer and listening platform.
Listeners use Spotify to access audiobooks, but authors don’t usually upload directly to Spotify themselves unless using specific publishing routes.
Instead, Spotify audiobooks are often accessed through distributors like Findaway Voices.
What’s important is this: Spotify has massively increased audiobook visibility.
People who may never have opened Audible are now discovering audiobooks while listening to music or podcasts.
That’s changed listener habits quite a lot.
And for indie authors, that’s generally a positive thing.
Exclusive vs Wide Distribution - What Does That Actually Mean?
This is one of the biggest decisions authors now face.
Exclusive Distribution
Usually means your audiobook is only available through Audible/Amazon for a set period.
The main advantage is often a higher royalty rate through ACX.
Wide Distribution
Means your audiobook is available across multiple retailers and library platforms.
The advantages can include:
broader reach
more flexibility
access to library audiences
reduced dependence on one platform
Neither option is automatically “better”.
Some books perform brilliantly through exclusivity. Others benefit far more from wider availability.
A lot depends on:
your audience
your genre
your marketing
your long-term goals
We’ll cover this in much more detail in a separate blog because it deserves its own proper breakdown.
So Which Option Should Indie Authors Choose?
Sorry. But there isn’t one universal answer.
And anyone pretending there is is probably oversimplifying things.
For some authors:
ACX exclusivity works very well
Audible remains their biggest source of sales
simplicity is important
For others:
wider reach matters more
libraries are valuable
flexibility is preferable
they don’t want all their eggs in one basket
The important thing is understanding what each route actually offers before making a decision.
One Thing Hasn’t Changed: Quality Still Matters
No matter where your audiobook ends up - Audible, Spotify, Apple Books, libraries, or everywhere at once - production quality still matters enormously.
Listeners are becoming more used to polished, professional audio, and they notice poor narration or inconsistent production very quickly. And what follows? Bad reviews. Even if the writing is incredible, poor audio = bad reviews.
That’s why choosing the right narrator and working with experienced producers is still one of the most important investments authors can make.
A well-produced audiobook doesn’t just sound better. It keeps listeners listening.
Feeling Overwhelmed by the Options?
That’s completely normal.
Most indie authors don’t start out knowing the difference between distributors, retailers, royalties, and exclusivity agreements - and honestly, you shouldn’t be expected to.
If you’d like help understanding your audiobook options, choosing the right narrator, or getting your audiobook production started, have a read of some of our other blogs, or get in touch. We’re happy to help.
You can browse narrator samples, request custom auditions, or make an enquiry on our website. Come take a look around:
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