Audible, owned by Amazon, is a popular audiobook service known for its vast selection of titles, including bestsellers, new releases, Audible Originals, and more. Users can enjoy these audiobooks on iOS, Android, or other compatible devices via the Audible app.
Beyond audiobooks, the platform also offers podcasts and other spoken-word content. This article aims to explain the costs associated with using Audible and the services it offers.
Audible Membership Plans
Audible offers different membership plans to meet diverse listening needs, and the primary plans include Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus. The Audible Plus’ monthly subscription service costs around $7.95 per month and offers unlimited access to the Audible Plus catalog, which consists of select Audible audiobooks, new titles, podcasts, Audible originals, free audiobooks, and more.
Overview of Audible Plus plan features:
- Cost: $7.95/m
- Free 30-day free trial
- Audible originals
- Audiobooks
- Sleep tracks
- Meditation programs
- Podcasts
The Audible Premium Plus plan offers the perks of Audible Plus and additional benefits like monthly credits which can be used to purchase any audiobooks, regardless of their price.
The Premium Plus plan comes in two forms: a monthly plan costing $14.95, which provides one credit per month, and an annual plan, known as Audible Premium Plus Annual, costing $149.50, which gives 12 credits at once.
For those looking to save money, opting for the annual plan provides a significant discount compared to the monthly membership. A less commonly chosen option is the Platinum Annual plan, offering 24 credits upfront at $229.50 per year.
Overview of Audible Premium Plus plan features:
- Cost: $14.95/m
- Free 30-day free trial
- Includes everything in the Audible catalog
- Audible Premium Plus Members get 1 title per month from the extended best sellers selection. To keep forever.
One thing to note is that Audible, though owned by Amazon, isn’t automatically available for Amazon Prime members. You’ll need to purchase an Audible subscription and choose the right Audible Plan, even if you are a Prime account holder.
Are Audible and Kindle Unlimited the same
No, Audible and Kindle Unlimited are not the same things, although they are both services offered by Amazon and are related to books.
Audible is a platform that specializes in audiobooks. It offers a vast selection of audiobooks that can be purchased individually or accessed through a monthly subscription and allows you to listen to books on various devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and dedicated audiobook players.
Whereas Kindle Unlimited is a subscription service that primarily focuses on eBooks. With Kindle Unlimited, subscribers can access a library of over a million eBooks, including popular titles, self-published works, and a variety of genres. Kindle Unlimited allows you to read these eBooks on Kindle e-readers, Kindle apps for smartphones and tablets, and even on your computer with the Kindle Cloud Reader.
While both services offer digital books, Audible emphasizes audiobooks, while Kindle Unlimited focuses on eBooks. They are separate subscriptions and have their own pricing structures and libraries.
Additional Costs
Extra costs may arise if you want to purchase more audiobooks beyond the free credit(s) provided by your Audible subscription. Without credits, you'll have to buy at the full price, which varies based on the book.
Audible members enjoy a 30% discount on additional purchases and access to members-only sales, including the Daily Deal.
Audiobooks vs. E-books
The choice between audiobooks and e-books often boils down to personal preference. Audible audiobooks offer the convenience of consuming literature while multitasking or during commutes.
If you are an Amazon Kindle user, you may benefit from the Whispersync feature, allowing you to switch seamlessly between reading a Kindle e-book and listening to the corresponding Audible audiobook.
Pros & Cons of Audible
Audible provides an extensive library, easy accessibility across devices, and exclusive content like Audible Originals. The unused credits in your account roll over to the next month, and you can keep all the audiobooks in your Audible library forever, even after canceling your subscription.
On the downside, some might find Audible expensive compared to other entertainment subscriptions like Netflix. Additionally, while you can return books you didn't enjoy, there's a limit on how many you can return.
Are there Alternatives to Audible
While Audible is a leading audiobook service, alternatives like Librivox offer free audiobooks, and services like Scribd provide unlimited access to a vast selection of audiobooks under their monthly subscription.
So basically, Audible offers a variety of membership plans to cater to different listening needs. The Audible Plus plan, priced at $7.95 per month, provides unlimited access to a selection of Audible audiobooks, podcasts, Audible Originals, and more. While the Audible Premium Plus plan, available at $14.95 per month or $149.50 per year, offers additional benefits such as monthly credits that can be used to purchase any audiobook.
It's important to remember that Audible requires a separate subscription and is not immediately available to Amazon Prime subscribers. Furthermore, Audible and Kindle Unlimited are distinct services, with Audible focusing on audiobooks and Kindle Unlimited offering a vast library of eBooks.
While Audible provides a comprehensive library and convenient accessibility across devices, it may be perceived as expensive compared to other entertainment subscriptions. However, the platform offers benefits such as the ability to keep purchased audiobooks even after canceling the subscription.
If Audible doesn't meet your requirements, there are alternatives available. Services like Librivox offer free audiobooks, while Scribd provides unlimited access to a wide selection of audiobooks through a monthly subscription.
Ultimately, the choice between audiobooks and eBooks, as well as the selection of a specific service, depends on personal preference and individual needs.
