What Is The Cost Of Audiobook Production In The UK?
Audiobooks are booming in the UK, with listener demand rising steadily year on year. For self-publishing authors, they’re a natural next step. But the big question is: how much does it cost to create an audiobook?
The answer depends on whether you’re testing the waters with new technology, recording on a budget or investing in professional production that meets industry standards.
In this article we’ll break down all your options so you can figure out exactly which route is best for you:
How Much Does Audiobook Production Cost In The UK On Average?
In the UK, audiobook production costs span from completely free to several thousand pounds, depending on the route you choose.
At the lowest end, Amazon KDP’s AI narration (currently in beta for some users) allows you to generate an audiobook at no monetary cost. However, while the tool is impressive, it still sounds robotic in places and requires authors to spend considerable time checking and correcting pronunciation errors in the editor.
Other budget routes, such as hiring freelancers or semi-professional narrators, typically cost £500 – £1,500. At the professional level, where experienced human narrators record in studios and engineers handle editing and mastering, you should expect £2,000 – £5,000+, depending on book length and narrator profile.
Most human narrators charge on a per finished hour (PFH) basis, generally £150 – £400 PFH in the UK. Since one finished hour is about 9,000 words:
- An 80,000 word novel (around 9 hours finished audio) might cost £1,350 – £3,600 for narration.
- Adding mastering and ACX compliance checks brings the total closer to £2,000 – £4,000.
In short: AI narration may be free but time expensive, while professional services require financial investment but save effort and deliver the highest listener trust.
Cheap Or Free Audiobook Options
There are budget friendly paths, but each has limitations. The most common ones include:
- DIY recording
A microphone and free software (like Audacity) let you record yourself. Costs are low, but it’s time intensive, technically demanding and often lacks the professionalism you get from someone who does it for a living. - AI narration on KDP (beta)
Amazon KDP is trialling an AI voice tool for selected users. It’s impressive in parts, but can still sound very robotic. You’ll need to listen through the entire recording, correcting pronunciation errors with their built in editing tools. At present, this method only works for KDP ebooks and isn’t widely available. - Budget freelancers
Marketplaces such as Fiverr offer low cost narration. Rates can be £50 – £100 PFH, but quality, consistency and rights management can be unpredictable.
Downsides Of Cheap Options
- AI narration cannot be used with ACX (Audible’s distribution service). ACX requires a human narrated audiobook.
- DIY or budget recordings may fail ACX’s strict technical checks.
- Time spent editing and troubleshooting can outweigh savings.
- Listener reviews often penalise poor sound quality, which damages long term sales.
Cheap routes can be useful for testing or short projects, but they rarely deliver the polish or acceptance needed for major platforms.
Professional Audiobook Production
Professional services take the stress out of the process by handling narration, editing, mastering and distribution compliance. Typical costs in the UK include:
- Narration by a professional actor: £150 – £400 PFH.
- Studio recording: Sometimes included, otherwise £50 – £100 per hour.
- Editing and mastering: Ensures the audiobook meets ACX technical standards.
- Distribution support: Guidance on royalties, rights, and submission to Audible/iTunes.
A full-length novel (8 – 10 hours audio) usually costs £2,000 – £5,000, but the benefits include professional quality, listener trust and wide distribution potential.
At Spiffing Publishing, we help authors make confident, informed decisions about their audiobooks. Whether you want hands on creative involvement or prefer to delegate, we ensure your book is produced to the highest professional standard.
How Spiffing Publishing Helps
- We can commission and audition narrators on your behalf, matching voice style to your story.
- Our team is well versed in mastering for ACX, so your files pass first time.
- We provide ACX distribution for audiobooks, guiding you through the submission process.
- Because ACX requires an established KDP product, we ensure your Kindle edition is correctly set up before you begin.
- You remain in control: you choose the narrator, set the budget, and approve the final master.
By combining technical expertise with publishing know-how, we give UK authors the confidence to expand into audio without the headaches.
Need Help?
If you’re considering an audiobook, Spiffing Publishing can help you navigate every stage. From choosing a narrator to distributing on ACX. Get in touch to explore how we can bring your words to life for UK and global listeners. Call now on: 01206 585200.
