Audiobooks

ACX vs Lantern Audio

ACX combines audiobook production and distribution, allowing authors to find royalty-share narrators at no upfront cost, but takes 25–40% of royalties. Lantern Audio is strictly a distributor, charging a flat $50 per title (with a $199 minimum, so at least 4 titles) and keeps no royalties. Both deliver to major audiobook retailers, but ACX's deep integration with Amazon/Audible offers more potential reach for exclusive titles. The choice hinges on whether you need production help and prefer royalty-sharing versus paying a flat fee to keep all royalties.

Pick ACX

Pick ACX if you need a narrator and want to avoid upfront costs, accepting a royalty split in exchange for integrated production and distribution.

Pick Lantern Audio

Pick Lantern Audio if you already have an audiobook and prefer a flat fee per title to keep all future royalties.

At a glance

ACXLantern Audio
PricingFree; 25–40% royalty$50/title ($199 min)
Pricing modelFreemiumPaid
Free optionYesNo
PlatformsWeb
Best forAudiobooksAudiobooks
AI featuresNoNo
Open sourceNoNo

ACX

acx.com

Audible/Amazon/iTunes audiobook production + distribution; royalty-share narrators.

Visit ACX

Lantern Audio

lanternaudio.com

Audiobook distribution; $50/title onboarding.

Visit Lantern Audio

See more options: ACX alternatives · Lantern Audio alternatives