# Downpour: Audiobooks — user reviews

> 98 indexed App Store user reviews of Downpour by Blackstone Audio, Inc, rated 4.50/5 from 465 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/downpour-audiobooks/id557282414/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/downpour-audiobooks/id557282414.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 347 · 4★ 54 · 3★ 28 · 2★ 7 · 1★ 29

## What do users think of Downpour?

Overall sentiment: neutral

**Pros**

- 💯 Excellent audiobook selection
- 💰 Affordable pricing
- 🔓 DRM-free downloads
- 👍 Easy to use app
- 🔧 Responsive customer service

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes
- 🤔 Inconsistent playback behavior
- 📥 Unreliable downloads
- 🔍 Limited search and browsing functionality
- 🔋 High battery drain

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App freezes when switching between books
- Inability to resume playback after phone calls
- Incompatibility with older iOS versions

**Most requested features**

- Ability to create playlists or collections
- Improved chapter navigation
- Sleep timer and bookmarking features
- Syncing across multiple devices

## Newest reviews (14 of 98)

### 4/5 — It’s good, kinda buggy though

*2026-07-04*

Downpour is pretty good, I switched to this from audible because you can’t load your purchased books to another device on audible, but you can on downpour. Also, I found out the hard way that audible can simply not permit you to listen to your books after a specific date, and since you can’t load your books, you just lose access to them forever or until audible buys back the rights to have the book on their services, and if they never get the rights to do that, you will never be able to listen to it again and they don’t even refund you for it!!! Now downpour’s UI is ok, it sometimes has issues scrolling between chapters, and there are occasional issues playing the book where it says “request timed out. Please try again later.” Overall, it’s good, definitely better than audible when comparing it to usability and flexibility with the purchased titles, definitely recommend!

### 2/5 — Buggy bad performance

*2026-05-04, version 7.1.6*

I can’t even get the app to work now. I kept getting some kind of connection error which made no sense. And now, after purchasing a new item the app refuses to load.

### 3/5 — Audio Stops

*2025-05-03, version 7.0.7*

Consistently will stop playing in the middle of audio. I’ve tried deleting and redownloading both the app and the book, but it’s a consistent glitch.

### 3/5 — Glitching

*2025-04-04*

I have been using this app for a couple of years and until recently have been happy with it. This year however, it has been having issues such as randomly stopping while listening to books, and if that wasn’t bad enough yesterday my library has been rendered frozen. For example, it will let me play some of my books but it won’t let me scroll down to the rest of my books forcing me to look them up by title, which for me as a voracious reader is not ideal since I have forgotten some of the title names.

**Developer response:** Hello - thank you for your review and for letting us know about these issues. We have recently released an update that addresses each of these issues! Please let us know if you need anything and we will be sure to help you.

### 4/5 — Almost There

*2025-01-26*

It just needs a little tweaking. If you could have collections so you could group the books. Also a little more control over the speed and it would be there.

**Developer response:** Hello—Thank you for reviewing this and for letting us know about these issues. We will be sure to take your requests into consideration for future builds. Please let us know if you need anything, and we will be sure to help you.

### 4/5 — Loved it until last update

*2025-01-07*

it was exactly what i needed: play my books with a shutoff timer.

but a couple weeks ago suddenly my library no longer loads. The only book available is the one i was apparently listening to when the app updated and broke. Downpour now tells me that it requires iOS 18 - even though the compatability list here says iOS 15.

Unless they can make an older version that will work on iOS 15 available, i guess i get to go back to downloads into Books or iTunes. This iPod works perfectly and there's no reason to replace it.

iPod Touch (7th Gen), iOS 15.8.3, Downpour v7.0.2 build 8

### 3/5 — Recent release does work on iPad

*2024-12-19, version 7.0.2*

Fortunately I only have a couple of “unread” Downpour books left. 7.0.1 doesn’t work on my iPad.

REVISED-the app works on iPad now. 7.0.2.

### 4/5 — The update works

*2024-12-18, version 7.0.2*

The update fixes the problems.

### 2/5 — This isn’t a review. I’m just letting you know the UX changed from good to terrible

*2024-12-16*

I started clicking on other fields about leaving feedback, but it just led to “FAQ” style documentation, so, I tried to make this private feedback, and I’m sorry to make it public, but I couldn’t find a private channel. Everything has been fine, even great, for years. But now, suddenly, the entire UX is a narrow column to the left of a blank screen, with most buttons inaccessible. It’s still usable as long as I don’t want bookmarks and am happy to use iOS play/pause/back/forward controls instead of the ones which are cut off and inaccessible by this new design. It is usable, but it’s a major downgrade, and I hope you consider it a bug, and that you’ll fix it soon. I also hope that, when you fix it, iOS gives me a way to adjust this review, because y’all have mostly been excellent, and I don’t feel good giving you a bad review. If I had found a way to keep this feedback private, I promise I would have done so. I’m happy to provide screenshots and OS details or whatever, if there’s a way for me to do that. Let me know, and I hope I get a notification if you do.

**Developer response:** Hello - we appreciate your feedback. We have released version 7.0.3 today and urge you to retry the app. Please contact us at customercare@downpour.com to provide additional screenshots and comments, as they are very useful to us. Thanks!

### 4/5 — Love it - but a few technical glitches of lately

*2024-03-12*

I have used it for now 8 years and absolutely love it - but in certain iOS versions it has had glitches of lately preventing me from logging in which is super annoying

### 3/5 — Seemed good

*2021-09-05, version 5.6.5*

It seemed good then it started crashing after launching the app so i don’t know how to feel.

### 3/5 — Disappointed New Customer

*2021-07-12*

I just made my first purchases. Tried to download them, but the app kept on cycling between 2 different ‘download’ buttons! Then l tried to relay this to customer service via the email link on the purchase confirm, but got an ‘undeliverable message’ response with the reason that l wasn’t on the group’s ‘accepted email list’.
What kind of foolishness is this?
Unless l get satisfaction l may not stay on this site, which would be a shame for Blackstone as well as me since I’m seriously looking to purchase the $390 Shakespeare set.
Your serve, Downpour.

**Developer response:** Hello,
Please accept our sincere apologies for the delay in responding to your review. Please reach out to our customer care department directly so we can address your experienced issues. You may call us at 800-369-6768 or email us at customercare@downpour.com. We would greatly appreciate the chance to make this right for you. Please reference this review response so we can coordinate our assistance.

### 4/5 — Just what you want

*2020-09-16*

Does exactly what you need in an app of this sort: wide variety of titles, excellent voice talent and a good mix of rent-or-buy options. 

This is an update to a prior (one-star) review. I had given a low rating because I was unable to play a rental due to an “Invalid license content” error and had no way to get around it. Tech Support had me delete and reinstall the app, and it worked fine from then out.

### 3/5 — Problems

*2020-05-18*

I would like to point out three problems with your app, all of which make me more inclined to use Audible instead, even though I would prefer to buy titles directly from you, whenever possible... if only you would fix the app.

First, the time display shows progress and time remaining only in the current chapter. I would like to be able to switch that display, but could not find an option for doing so.

Second, the volume level drops whenever I get an email or other alert tone, but does not pause playback, and so I miss several words of the book, every time this happens. It is quite annoying, and mostly, I would like a setting to choose how I want this behavior to exhibit.

Third, is that the playback will pause when I remove an AirPod, as does Audible, but if I have it out for more than a very few seconds, it will not resume without my taking out my phone, opening the app or pull-down access, and hitting the play button again. This is a lot of extra effort every time someone makes a comment to me or demands my attention for a moment, while I am listening. This also should either be changed, or be made a selectable preference option.

I hope that you will fix these problems, so that I may use your service as much or more than I use Audible. If not, I will likely return completely to Audible, even though I am terribly annoyed with how poorly they treat authors.

Sincerely, 
- Prof. Cascaddan

**Developer response:** Hello, 

Thank you so much for your detailed feedback. We will be sure to get your review over to our app developers. Thank you for your patience while we dive into this. As a thank you, we would like to offer you two free credits please email us at customercare@downpour.com so we may add them to your account.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — New Changes, Now Broken

*2026-04-30, version 7.1.6*

Since an update where ai was used to create the user i terfsce, the mobile app will no lner work, library is empty, lost all books

### 1/5 — Terrible!!!!

*2025-12-01*

Downpour recently made changes to their platform.  It went from 100% reliable to garbage.  There was no warning. The app still doesn’t work properly.  I can’t see my wishlist from the app, can’t search for new titles in the app, and I have to do everything online from their website.  I’ve signed in and out of the app and deleted and redownloaded the app.  If you buy a new title from their website it won’t automatically load into your list of purchased titles on the app.  I have to delete the app and download it again for any new purchase to show up.  This is absolute garbage!!

### 1/5 — Review

*2025-04-18, version 7.0.6*

App is frozen. No response. Downloaded Audible. Working fine. I’ll cancel the app once I figure out how. Colin Milde

### 1/5 — No longer supports iOS 15

*2025-01-02, version 7.0.2*

This isn’t a problem for iOS 18 but the app no longer works on my iPod touch (my favourite listening device), for example. All of my other audiobook apps work fine on that device. Don’t know how this affects older versions of iPadOS and hence older iPads. Don’t see any options to downgrade to earlier version either. A pity because Downpour offers real bargains.

### 1/5 — Gone to ruin

*2023-03-30, version 5.7.7*

Mostly the same books available endlessly. In recent months books that sell for the likes of $29.99 have appeared in 99 Cents deals. Clearly, nobody is minding the store. Hoopla does a much better job of providing new books (for free), and Audible (and sometimes Apple) are better buying options. Blackstone Audio, Downpour’s owner, is flailing.

### 1/5 — Nope…

*2023-01-08, version 5.7.5*

Can’t even search for an author. The moment I find the one I’m looking for and the collection of work appears…It promptly disappears along with the search bar!

### 1/5 — JSON failure

*2022-10-08, version 5.7.5*

App does not initialize because of a JSON error so I cannot login and access my >200 titles, or search and acquire more. Can provide the full error message. Hope yo can fix.

### 1/5 — The app does work but at the expense of my phones battery

*2021-12-01, version 5.6.6*

Absolutely wreaks havoc on my iphone 12 battery. Have been through 3 different iphones with this app and eats the battery on all of them. Simply, why?

### 1/5 — Don’t bother

*2021-07-11, version 5.6.5*

I paid for a download a couple years ago. Now, after completing the app update I can’t access my files without repurchasing. I find this completely ridiculous and unjust. Giving them even one star is one star too many.

### 1/5 — Disappointed

*2020-07-11, version 5.1*

I see absolutely no option to rent, which was why I wanted to try this app out. The buy prices are at least $10 more than Google Books or iTunes, so I'm going elsewhere. Waste of a download!

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Love this app after 2 months of use so far

*2025-10-02*

I really enjoy using Downpour! The app is easy to navigate, and I love that it offers both rentals and purchases, which gives me flexibility depending on what I want to listen to. The audiobook selection is great, the audio quality is always clear, and the prices are so much better compared to other audiobook platforms. I also appreciate that it’s DRM-free, so I can listen across different devices without any hassle. Overall, it’s been such a smooth and enjoyable experience, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves audiobooks!

### 5/5 — The best!

*2025-07-12, version 7.0.7*

My favorite place to listen to audio boooooks!!

### 5/5 — Downpour

*2025-04-12*

I have been using this app for a few years now and I love it. This week I was having trouble with the app on my phone and I reached out to them and they replied immediately and fixed my issue. I would recommend this to anyone who loves audiobooks.

**Developer response:** Hello - thank you for your review and for letting us know about these issues. We have recently released an update that addresses each of these issues! Please let us know if you need anything and we will be sure to help you.

### 5/5 — This isn’t a review. I’m just letting you know the UX changed from good to terrible

*2024-12-21*

[Removed negative review reaction to a broken app upgrade. Issue was fixed in less than a week.] Y’all rule, and I hope you know that. <3

**Developer response:** Hello - we appreciate your feedback. We have released version 7.0.3 today and urge you to retry the app. Please contact us at customercare@downpour.com to provide additional screenshots and comments, as they are very useful to us. Thanks!

### 5/5 — AMAZING

*2024-02-14*

This app has helped me so much and is easy to use! I really appreciate how great the audio quality and prices are! Worth the download

### 5/5 — App crashes easily

*2020-04-13*

While searching for books and reading summaries, the app will crash for no reason. Usually doesn’t crash while listening to your downloaded books however, or else I would give the app a 1 star.

**Developer response:** Hello,

Thank you for your feedback. We will be sure to get this information to our app developers. If you ever need immediate assistance you may email customercare@downpour.com

### 5/5 — Cannot create account

*2019-05-05, version 4.5*

I’ve tried several times to create an account and I’m repeatedly told that I need to enter a valid email. I’ve done so, trying with several emails, and keep receiving the same msg. Thoughts?

### 5/5 — Fantastic & easy to use

*2018-07-21*

I love downpour! It allows me to keep all my audiobooks in one digital library without requiring me to have them all downloaded (which saves me lots of memory on my phone). Endless options of audiobooks as well!

**Developer response:** Thank you so much for your feedback! If you need any assistance you are more than welcome to contact us via email at customercare@downpour.com or 855-369-6768. Happy listening!!!

### 5/5 — Rentals are a great deal, app works well

*2018-06-17*

Renting audiobooks makes them so much more accessible. Other reviews seem to reference the app before in app purchases were available but I got the app in June 2018. It works just fine and I’m a fan. Thanks for Downpour.

**Developer response:** Thank you so much for your review. We greatly appreciate your continued patronage and are happy to help when needed. Feel free to contact us any time via email - customercare@downpour.com, or by phone - 855-369-6768. Have a wonderful day! Downpour.com

### 5/5 — Much improved

*2018-04-22, version 4.1*

The new version fixed the problems. Thanks.

**Developer response:** We are very sorry for the inconvenience and the unsatisfactory experience you previously had with our app. We wanted to let you know that we have since released version 4.1, with updated user features including in-app purchasing. We would love the opportunity to assist you further, and urge you to try our app again. Please feel free to contact us at 855-369-6768, or by emailing us at customercare@downpour.com

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-28.*