Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Learn how to build a self-hosted audiobook server using audiobookshelf and replace your Audible subscription with a private audio cloud that you ACTUALLY OWN. You’ll get all the premium features you love like progress syncing, a polished mobile app, and variable playback speed without the DRM or the monthly fees.
We’ll deploy audiobookshelf on a cloud server using Docker, secure it with Cloudflare Tunnels so you can stream safely from anywhere (no open ports required), and set up the mobile app for a seamless listening experience. You can also self-host your audiobooks at home on your own hardware like a Raspberry Pi or an old laptop.
I earn commissions when you use the links below at no additional cost to you.
🔗 Get $200 free server credits (follow along for free!): https://ttt.do/DigitalOceanAudiobooks
🔗 Ditch Audible and get 2 free books you actually own: https://ttt.do/LibroFM (use code SWITCH)
🔗 Code snippets and more: https://ttt.do/bye-bezos
What You’ll Learn
✅ How to Self-host Audiobookshelf with Docker
✅ Where to get audiobook files (.M4B and .MP3)
✅ Transfer audiobook files to your server
✅ Automate book cover art and chapter lookups
✅ Use Cloudflare Tunnels to securely stream your books from anywhere
✅ Configure the mobile app to sync listening progress across devices
✅ How to build a permanent Audible alternative
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Build Your Own Audiobook Server: Introduction
00:09 Launch a Virtual Private Server (VPS)
00:38 Sign Up for Digital Ocean Credits
00:52 Setting Up a Digital Ocean Droplet (VPS)
01:00 Choosing Ubuntu Operating System
01:15 Server Specs and Storage
01:53 Authentication Method: SSH Key
02:14 Advanced Options and Initialization Script (Cloud Init)
02:58 Set the Droplet Hostname
03:06 Accessing Your Server (SSH)
03:49 Logging In Via SSH
04:09 Verify Cloud Init Script
04:17 Remove Existing Docker Installation (Optional)
04:35 Install Docker and Docker Compose
04:56 Add User to Docker Group
05:10 Reboot the Server
05:20 Set Up Audiobookshelf Directories
06:00 Create the Docker Compose File
06:11 Reviewing the Docker Compose Configuration
06:55 Deploy Audiobookshelf Container
07:07 Verify Container Status with docker ps
07:15 Access Audiobookshelf Web Interface
07:33 Bypass Dangerous Site Warning
07:47 Initial Server Setup: Create Root User
08:03 Audiobookshelf Dashboard and Libraries
08:09 Add Your First Library
08:44 Create a Standard User
09:15 Where to Get Audiobooks (Librivox, Libro.fm, Audible)
10:32 Transfer Audiobooks to the Server (SCP)
11:43 Scan Library for Audiobooks
12:04 Fix Missing Book Covers (Match Books)
13:17 Why Use Cloudflare Tunnels (Secure Streaming)
13:36 Set Up Cloudflare Account and Domain
14:00 Create a Cloudflare Tunnel
14:12 Install cloudflared Connector
15:07 Publish Audiobookshelf Application Route
15:38 Subscribe for More Self-Hosting Content!
16:00 Test the Secure Domain Access (HTTPS)
16:22 Audiobookshelf Mobile App Options (iOS/Android)
17:10 Access Audiobookshelf via Plappa App
Learn how to build a self-hosted audiobook server using audiobookshelf and replace your Audible subscription with a private audio cloud that you ACTUALLY OWN. You’ll get all the premium features you love like progress syncing, a polished mobile app, and variable playback speed without the DRM or the monthly fees.
We’ll deploy audiobookshelf on a cloud server using Docker, secure it with Cloudflare Tunnels so you can stream safely from anywhere (no open ports required), and set up the mobile app for a seamless listening experience. You can also self-host your audiobooks at home on your own hardware like a Raspberry Pi or an old laptop.
I earn commissions when you use the links below at no additional cost to you.
🔗 Get $200 free server credits (follow along for free!): https://ttt.do/DigitalOceanAudiobooks
🔗 Ditch Audible and get 2 free books you actually own: https://ttt.do/LibroFM (use code SWITCH)
🔗 Code snippets and more: https://ttt.do/bye-bezos
What You’ll Learn
✅ How to Self-host Audiobookshelf with Docker
✅ Where to get audiobook files (.M4B and .MP3)
✅ Transfer audiobook files to your server
✅ Automate book cover art and chapter lookups
✅ Use Cloudflare Tunnels to securely stream your books from anywhere
✅ Configure the mobile app to sync listening progress across devices
✅ How to build a permanent Audible alternative
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Build Your Own Audiobook Server: Introduction
00:09 Launch a Virtual Private Server (VPS)
00:38 Sign Up for Digital Ocean Credits
00:52 Setting Up a Digital Ocean Droplet (VPS)
01:00 Choosing Ubuntu Operating System
01:15 Server Specs and Storage
01:53 Authentication Method: SSH Key
02:14 Advanced Options and Initialization Script (Cloud Init)
02:58 Set the Droplet Hostname
03:06 Accessing Your Server (SSH)
03:49 Logging In Via SSH
04:09 Verify Cloud Init Script
04:17 Remove Existing Docker Installation (Optional)
04:35 Install Docker and Docker Compose
04:56 Add User to Docker Group
05:10 Reboot the Server
05:20 Set Up Audiobookshelf Directories
06:00 Create the Docker Compose File
06:11 Reviewing the Docker Compose Configuration
06:55 Deploy Audiobookshelf Container
07:07 Verify Container Status with docker ps
07:15 Access Audiobookshelf Web Interface
07:33 Bypass Dangerous Site Warning
07:47 Initial Server Setup: Create Root User
08:03 Audiobookshelf Dashboard and Libraries
08:09 Add Your First Library
08:44 Create a Standard User
09:15 Where to Get Audiobooks (Librivox, Libro.fm, Audible)
10:32 Transfer Audiobooks to the Server (SCP)
11:43 Scan Library for Audiobooks
12:04 Fix Missing Book Covers (Match Books)
13:17 Why Use Cloudflare Tunnels (Secure Streaming)
13:36 Set Up Cloudflare Account and Domain
14:00 Create a Cloudflare Tunnel
14:12 Install cloudflared Connector
15:07 Publish Audiobookshelf Application Route
15:38 Subscribe for More Self-Hosting Content!
16:00 Test the Secure Domain Access (HTTPS)
16:22 Audiobookshelf Mobile App Options (iOS/Android)
17:10 Access Audiobookshelf via Plappa App
