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Speechify Audiobooks vs. Audible

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Audiobooks have become increasingly popular over the years, allowing readers to enjoy their favorite books on the go. With the rise of digital audiobooks,...

Audiobooks have become increasingly popular over the years, allowing readers to enjoy their favorite books on the go. With the rise of digital audiobooks, there are now several audiobook services to choose from, and two of the most popular options are Speechify Audiobooks and Audible. In this article, we'll take a closer look at these two services and compare them in terms of pricing and features to help you decide which is right for you. See more in this Speechify Audiobooks vs Audible comparison.

What is Audible?

Audible is an Amazon-owned audiobook service that offers users access to a vast collection of audiobooks. The service was founded in 1995 and has since become one of the most popular platforms for audiobooks. In addition to audiobooks, Audible also offers podcasts, news, and other audio content, including Audible Originals.

What is Speechify Audiobooks?

Although newer to the market, Speechify Audiobooks features an impressive digital library of over 60,000+ titles across various genres. This makes the platform a great choice for people of all ages who love listening to their books, whether they wish to listen to a romance read, mysterious crime detective story, scary horror novel, light-hearted children’s book, sci-fi thriller, New York Times best-seller, or new release.

Speechify Audiobooks and Audible - A comparison

Although both audiobook providers, Speechify Audiobooks and Audible are very different. Here’s a comparison so you can decide which is the best choice for your needs and budget.

Features

While both platforms share some of the same features, like a sleep timer, Speechify outperforms Audible in a few areas.

Immersive Reading

Immersive or Immersion Reading allows users to read and listen at the same time by providing both an eBook version of the material and an audiobook version. This can be especially helpful for language learners or those with reading difficulties like Dyslexia or disorders like ADHD because listening to an audiobook while following along with the text can improve comprehension of the material. By engaging both your visual and auditory senses, users can more easily follow the plot, understand complex concepts, and retain information.

  • Immersion Reading on Audible — In order to use Immersion Reading on Audible, you must have both the Kindle eBook version and Audible audiobook version of the same title. You then must connect your Audible and Kindle accounts to your Amazon account and use that Amazon account to sign up for Whispersync, which allows you to read and listen simultaneously or switch between the two.
  • Immersive Reading with Speechify Audiobooks — Immersive Reading with Speechify is seamless. Simply choose a title from the “Immersive Books” section and press play to see the words appear after you’ve purchased the audiobook and ebook together. This feature highlights the text as the narrator reads, making it easy to follow along. Additionally, tap any sentence or paragraph to jump instantly and enjoy uninterrupted listening.

Advanced speed controls

Audiobooks have become an increasingly popular way for people to enjoy reading while multitasking, and for those who wish to boost their productivity or get to the next chapter faster, advanced speed controls can be quite handy.

  • Audible speed controls — Audible allows users to speed up narration in incremental options up to 3.5x.
  • Speechify Audiobooks speed controls — Speechify offers advanced speed controls, such as the ability to listen up to 4.5x as well as choose a “Trim Silences” feature which removes dramatic pauses allowing the narrator to read up to 10% faster and readers to power through books.

Volume boosting

Audiobooks are only as good as their audio quality, so what do you do when the volume is too low? Increase it, of course. However, Speechify Audiobooks outshines the rest with this feature.

  • Audible volume — Audible lacks in-app volume controls, and user reviews have mentioned the volume is too low on some titles.
  • Speechify Audiobooks volume — Speechify offers a feature called “Boost Volume,” which remasters the audio to increase the max volume of the audiobooks.

Pricing

Speechify Audiobooks and Audible differ substantially when it comes to pricing, so let’s break it down.

Audible’s pricing model

Audible is subscription-based and offers two plans Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus. With Audible Plus, users get access to the Audible Plus Catalog, which is a rotating library of audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals for $7.95 per month. However, since the library is rotating, users do not own this content out-right, and it could rotate out and be replaced by different content at any time, even mid-reading. For the $14.95 per month Audible Premium Plus plan, users get access to the Audible Plus Catalog and one credit per month they can use to buy any premium title, which they then get to keep forever.

Speechify Audiobook’s pricing model

Speechify Audiobooks is a premier audiobook service that offers both an a la carte and credit model for buying audiobooks. This unique approach allows customers to tailor their purchase method to their individual preferences, ensuring that they get the most value out of their listening experience. Whether you're an avid reader or a casual listener, Speechify Audiobooks has something for everyone.

Speechify Audiobooks a la carte option

Speechify Audiobook’s a la carte option allows users to buy audiobooks one by one as they wish to listen to them, after which they will get to keep them forever. The price users pay per book is among the most competitive on the market. This plan is perfect for the busy reader who may not need access to every book at once and those who like to cherish and refer back to books they’ve previously listened to.

Speechify Audiobook subscription option

Additionally, Speechify Audiobooks offers an annual subscription with 12 credits for an even better deal per title. This plan is perfect for readers who plan to listen to at least one book per month.

Free trial options

Here’s how you can try before you buy with both Audible and Speechify Audiobooks.

Audible’s 30-day free trial

If you’re new to Audible, you will receive a 30-day free trial upon signing up so you can try out the platform before you commit. Just make sure to cancel before the 30 days are up to avoid being charged.

Speechify Audiobooks’ free classic reads

The Speechify app is free, so users can choose to listen to thousands of free classic audiobooks such as Dracula, Les Misérables, Pride and Prejudice, C.S. Lewis titles, and more without having to sign up for a membership or pay for titles. The first premium book is also free, which provides ample opportunity to test the platform.

Business plans

Speechify Audiobooks is the only audiobook service on the market that offers audiobook subscriptions for businesses in the United States since Audible has retired its business membership options. Speechify Audiobook subscriptions for businesses and schools provide 12 credits/year per user, with each credit good for one audiobook. This option could be great as an HR benefit, with Speechify Audiobooks offering thousands of books on career building and personal development. Additionally, audiobook subscriptions for universities can get expensive, so Speechify’s subscription model is a more affordable alternative.

Try Speechify Audiobooks today

From best-sellers to classics, Speechify has something for everyone. With its simple setup, pricing model, and user-friendly features, readers can enjoy a hassle-free and relaxing listening experience. Immerse yourself in your favorite story today by trying Speechify Audiobooks for free.

FAQ

Is buying a la carte audiobooks cheaper than services like Audible?

A la carte audiobooks can be less expensive than Audible, especially if you only want to purchase a few titles.

Do you own a la carte audiobooks?

When you purchase an audiobook a la carte, you own it forever.

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.