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If you’re trying to decide between Findaway Voices and ACX, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options. Both platforms have their perks and quirks, and knowing which one fits your needs can be a challenge. Stick with me, and I’ll help you compare them clearly so you can pick the right one without the headache. By the end, you’ll understand which platform offers the most control, reach, and support for your audiobook journey.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
- Findaway Voices requires upfront payments but offers higher royalties and full control over pricing, distribution, and no exclusivity, making it a good fit for wide reach and international markets.
- ACX is simpler for beginners, with no upfront costs but strict exclusivity if you choose royalty share, focusing mainly on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes.
- Findaway’s distribution covers more platforms, including libraries and niche stores, while ACX mainly targets Amazon and Audible.
- Findaway’s contracts are shorter and non-exclusive, giving more flexibility; ACX’s agreements are longer and require exclusivity if you opt for royalty share.
- ACX offers self-service support with narrator options and promotional tools, whereas Findaway manages production with broader narrator choices but less direct interaction.
- Using both platforms can expand reach but needs careful management of rights and distribution to avoid conflicts.
- Choose ACX if you want easy access to Amazon and Audible; go with Findaway if you want wider options, library sales, and more control over distribution channels.
Findaway Voices vs ACX: Which Audiobook Platform is Right for You?
1. Which Platform Offers the Best Value and Control?
Cost and Royalties
When choosing between Findaway Voices and ACX, money matters. ACX offers a royalty share option where authors earn around 40% if they commit to exclusivity, or 25% otherwise. The royalty share model means no upfront costs, making it appealing for new authors with limited budget.
In contrast, Findaway Voices requires upfront payment for narrator services—what’s called "Per Finished Hour" (PFH)—but it pays higher royalties on sales, often ranging from 40% to 50% for a la carte sales, and about 25% for Audible titles through their platform. This upfront payment can be a hurdle, but it often results in better earnings per sale in the long run.
For authors prioritizing higher royalty rates, especially for wide distribution, Findaway’s model might be more attractive, especially since they take a 20% commission on sales routed through them.
Control Over Pricing and Distribution
Findaway Voices offers full control over how you price your audiobook and where it's distributed, giving you the flexibility to set your own prices and reach a multitude of platforms, including libraries and international stores. They don’t require exclusivity, letting you sell your audiobook elsewhere without restrictions.
ACX, especially when opting for the exclusive royalty share agreement, limits distribution mainly to Amazon, Audible, and iTunes, giving you less control but potentially more promotional tools. If you want to keep your options open and sell across multiple venues, Findaway is the way to go.
2. How Do Findaway Voices and ACX Differ in Distribution Reach?
Number of Retailers and Libraries
ACX primarily distributes to Amazon, Audible, and Apple, which accounted for roughly 43% of the audiobook market as of 2019. Its reach is strong in North America but not as extensive globally.
Findaway Voices partners with over 50 distribution platforms, including local stores and library networks like Overdrive and Bibliotheca. This broad reach allows authors to tap into audiences outside the usual Amazon ecosystem. Interestingly, library sales via Findaway can account for up to 58% of unit sales for some authors, a channel ACX doesn’t offer.
Specialist Retail Partners
Findaway also works with niche partners like Storytel and AudiobooksNZ, letting authors reach markets that are harder to access via ACX. This means you could get your audiobook into various international markets without much hassle.
3. What Are the Key Differences in Licensing Terms?
Exclusivity Requirements
ACX has a strict exclusivity rule if you choose the royalty share option, locking your audiobook into Amazon, Audible, and iTunes for up to 7 years. Breaking this contract can be costly or difficult.
Findaway Voices, on the other hand, works on a non-exclusive basis, so you can distribute your audiobook elsewhere without restrictions. That flexibility is a big plus if you want to diversify your sales channels.
Contract Length and Flexibility
ACX contracts tend to be longer and more binding, often requiring a commitment at least 7 years, while Findaway offers shorter or no-term contracts, giving you more freedom to adapt your marketing strategies or remove titles if needed.
4. Which Platform Provides Better Support and Management?
Author Assistance and Support
ACX provides a dedicated dashboard with promotional tools like promo codes and direct communication with narrators, making the process straightforward for authors who want to be hands-on.
Findaway Voices offers a user-friendly platform that guides you through the process and gives you access to a wide pool of narrators, but their support may be less personalized—more self-service with less direct narrator interaction.
Narrator Selection and Collaboration
ACX allows authors to browse and select narrators, often collaborating directly and shaping the narration style. This can lead to more tailored results but requires more time investment.
Findaway works with a global network of narrators and manages the casting process for you, streamlining production but offering less direct control over specific narrators.
5. What Are the Main Features and Technologies?
Production Tools and AI Capabilities
Both platforms focus on high-quality audiobook production, with Findaway offering additional tools for collaboration and editing. However, neither heavily emphasizes AI tools for production—most rely on human narrators for authentic voices.
Distribution Features and Management Tools
Findaway provides robust dashboards for tracking sales across multiple stores, plus optional tools for marketing, making it easier to manage and promote your audiobooks globally.
ACX has built-in promotional features like codes and direct access to Amazon’s promotional campaigns, but its management options are more limited to Amazon and Apple’s ecosystem.
If you want to explore how self-publishing works in today’s digital world, consider reading about (https://automateed.com/how-to-get-a-book-published-without-an-agent/). It offers helpful insights that can also apply to audiobook distribution strategies.
6. When Should You Choose ACX or Findaway Voices?
Deciding between ACX and Findaway Voices really depends on your goals and situation. If you want to get your audiobook into the biggest market — Amazon and Audible — and are okay with exclusive distribution, ACX might be the better pick.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for broader international reach, library options, and more control over your sales channels, then Findaway Voices makes sense, especially since they don’t force exclusivity.
For example, first-time authors who want quick access to Audible and Amazon might lean toward ACX for simplicity, but those planning a wide distribution strategy or planning to sell across multiple platforms may prefer Findaway.
If you’re unsure, consider your long-term plans — do you plan to keep your options open or focus mainly on Amazon’s ecosystem? That decision will shape your choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- If you want to sell exclusively on Amazon and Audible to maximize royalties, go with ACX.
- If you prefer wide distribution, including libraries and international stores, and don’t mind paying upfront, Findaway Voices is probably better.
- Thinking about entering multiple markets gradually? Combining platforms later can be an option — just know how each setup impacts your rights and income.
Ideal Situations for Each Platform
ACX is a good fit if you’re new to audiobook publishing and want a straightforward route into Amazon’s dominant market with some promotional tools. Its exclusivity clause can boost your earnings per sale but locks you in.
Findaway Voices suits authors who already have a decent budget and want to avoid exclusivity so they can diversify their stream of income and reach audiences worldwide, especially through libraries.
Additionally, if you already have a following outside Amazon or expect to sell across several platforms, Findaway’s flexible setup will serve you better.
7. Can You Use Both Platforms to Maximize Results?
The short answer is yes — but it comes with some caveats. Using both ACX and Findaway Voices can amplify your reach, but it requires some strategic planning to avoid rights conflicts or overlapping distribution.
One approach is to produce one version of your audiobook for ACX, targeting Amazon and Audible, while offering another through Findaway on global or niche platforms, including libraries.
Another tactic is to start with ACX to build initial buzz and then expand via Findaway to tap into additional markets and library sales.
Just be aware that managing rights and distribution agreements can get complex, so always double-check your contracts to ensure you aren’t unintentionally breaching exclusivity clauses.
Strategies for Combining ACX and Findaway Voices
- Use ACX for your primary, exclusive sales channel, especially if you’re new and want to boost visibility via Amazon and Audible.
- Leverage Findaway for non-exclusive distribution, reaching international stores and libraries, and expanding your audience base.
- Maximize marketing efforts by promoting your audiobook links separately tailored to each platform.
- Stay organized with clear records of your rights and distribution rights to avoid conflicts and maximize royalties.
FAQs
Findaway Voices allows authors to set their own prices and choose distribution channels, giving more control. ACX requires exclusivity for certain territories and pricing control, limiting some options.
Findaway Voices distributes to a wide range of retailers and libraries worldwide, including some niche partners. ACX primarily focuses on Amazon and Audible, limiting options unless you opt for exclusive agreements.
ACX requires exclusive licensing if you choose distribution through them, with fixed contract lengths. Findaway Voices offers non-exclusive rights, giving you more flexibility and control over your audiobooks.
Findaway Voices offers dedicated support for authors and options for narrator collaboration. ACX provides a narrator marketplace but has mixed reviews on support level and communication quality.
