How much is Audible subscription: Pricing plans and costs explained

Audible, the globally renowned audiobook service, has long been a favorite with its "one new audiobook per month" subscription model.

However, the company is now aiming to expand its offerings to become the ultimate audio streaming service. In this review, we will explore the latest subscription options, unique features, and assess whether Audible remains a worthwhile choice, tailored to individual needs and preferences.

The review will delve into the frequently asked questions about Audible, covering topics such as the number of books included in the monthly subscription, the actual cost, the extensive audiobook library, and the potential benefits of using the service.

Key Takeaways

Audible is evolving from its traditional "one new audiobook per month" subscription model to a comprehensive audio streaming service.
The review will address frequently asked questions, explore unique features, and assess the value proposition of Audible.
The analysis will cover various aspects, including subscription options, audiobook selection, user experience, and overall benefits of using Audible.

Quick Summary of Our Audible Review (FAQ)

How many books do you get a month with Audible?

Audible offers two membership options - Audible Premium Plus and Audible Plus. With Audible Premium Plus, you get one credit per month to select any audiobook in their library to keep. This plan costs $14.95 per month. Audible Plus, on the other hand, is like a streaming service for audiobooks where you can listen to all you want a month at a time. This plan costs $7.95 per month and lets you listen to any book in the library, but you don’t get to keep them.

How much does Audible really cost?

Audible Plus costs $7.95 per month, while Audible Premium Plus costs $14.95 per month. Audible Plus lets you listen to any book in the library, but you don’t get to keep them. Audible Premium Plus offers one credit per month to select any audiobook in their library to keep, along with all the benefits of Audible Plus.

How many audiobooks are on Audible?

Audible has over 200,000 audiobooks available in its library. It is usually the quickest service to get bestsellers as they come out, and many audiobooks are only available on Audible.

Is Audible free with Prime?

No, Audible is not free with an Amazon Prime membership. However, if you choose to get a free trial of Audible Premium Plus, you can select two audiobooks to keep instead of just one.

Can I get Audible for free?

Yes, you can try Audible for free for 30 days. After that, your subscription will renew monthly depending on which plan you chose. If you use an affiliate link when you subscribe to Audible Premium Plus, you’ll get at least one audiobook to keep even after the free trial is over. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you’ll get two. For those who purchase Audible Plus, you can listen to any audiobook in their library for free for 30 days.

Do I need a subscription for Audible?

No, you do not need a subscription for Audible to keep the books you’ve purchased or received as part of a free trial. Without a subscription, however, you will not be able to listen to unlimited audiobooks in their library or use credits to purchase audiobooks.

Can I still listen to Audible if I cancel my subscription?

Yes, you can still listen to any book in your library even if you cancel your Audible subscription. You get to keep the books that you’ve received as part of a free trial or purchased with credits or otherwise.

In summary, Audible offers two membership options - Audible Premium Plus and Audible Plus. Audible Premium Plus offers one credit per month to select any audiobook in their library to keep, while Audible Plus is like a streaming service for audiobooks where you can listen to all you want a month at a time. Audible has over 200,000 audiobooks available in its library, and it is usually the quickest service to get bestsellers as they come out.

Audible is not free with an Amazon Prime membership, but you can try it for free for 30 days. Without a subscription, you can still keep the books you’ve purchased or received as part of a free trial, but you will not be able to listen to unlimited audiobooks in their library or use credits to purchase audiobooks.

Pros and Cons of Audible

Audible is one of the most popular audiobook services available today. It offers a wide range of benefits to its members, but like any service, it has its drawbacks as well. Here are some of the pros and cons of using Audible:

Pros

Unlimited access to all the audiobooks you want. Regardless of which subscription you purchase, you get to listen to any audiobook in the “included” library. This makes it kind of like a streaming service for audiobooks. You can listen to 10 books a month if you feel so inclined!
Unbeatable selection. Audible has an extensive library with many Audible-only titles that you can't find anywhere else. It's also quick to get new releases, especially bestsellers, soon after they're released if not at the same time.
A great user experience. Using the Audible app is an almost flawless experience. The user interface is beautiful and includes dark mode. There are no crazy glitches to worry about.
Discounts on the full price of any audiobook. As long as you keep your subscription, you'll receive a 30% discount on the full price of any audiobook. This can be a significant saving given that audiobooks are usually expensive.
Affordable pricing. Audible is really affordable, with a monthly subscription of $7.99. Additional options for purchasing monthly credits make it even more inexpensive. For instance, a 2 credit plan is $22.95 a month, which is about $11 per audiobook. Other options include the annual 12-credit plan for $149.50 and the annual 24-credit plan for $229.50, both of which are great deals.

Cons

You don't get to keep the books if you subscribe to Audible Plus. This is the one that's like a streaming service. However, subscribers get unlimited listens to any book in their “included” library. It might not be a problem for some, but others might find it limiting.
Owned by Amazon. Audible is owned by Amazon, which means that its effectiveness as an audiobook service may be hindered by Amazon’s goals. It might be seen as a generalist shoe company as opposed to a company that solely makes running shoes. However, this doesn't seem to have affected the quality of the service in any way. Having a giant with endless resources behind it makes Audible more stable and reliable than other options.

Overall, Audible is an excellent audiobook service that offers a lot of benefits to its customers. While there are some drawbacks to using it, the pros far outweigh the cons. If you're an audiobook lover, Audible is definitely worth checking out.

What Using the Audible App is Like

The Audible app offers a seamless and user-friendly experience for audiobook enthusiasts. The app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Users can choose to either subscribe or purchase audiobooks individually to add new listens to their library. Once acquired, these titles remain in the user's possession indefinitely, even if the subscription is cancelled.

The app's audio player presents a straightforward interface, with various features enhancing the listening experience. The main screen provides access to the home page, the user's library, the Discover section, and the user's profile. The car icon activates the driving mode, simplifying the display to show only essential playback controls.

Additionally, the app offers a button-free mode, ideal for minimising distractions while driving or engaging in other activities. The player controls include the chapter or section title, the place within that chapter or section, and the option to connect to a wireless device such as a Bluetooth speaker. Users can adjust the playback speed, select specific chapters, activate sleep mode, and add clips or bookmarks for easy reference.

The app's sleep timer feature is particularly useful for unwinding with fictional audiobooks before bed, allowing users to relax without concerns about falling asleep. The option to add a clip and bookmark enables users to mark their favourite parts, enhancing the overall listening experience.

The Audible app provides a comprehensive and enjoyable platform for audiobook consumption, with a range of features designed to cater to various preferences and needs.

Additional Features of the Audible App

Audible offers a range of features to enhance the listening experience. These features are accessible from the home screen of the app. Users can access the app's features by pressing on the "home" icon in the bottom left of the screen.

One of the features on the home screen is the "Sample Audible Bestsellers" section. This feature allows users to listen to clips of recent bestsellers to see if they like them. Another feature is the "Continue Listening to Your Library" section, which shows the books you've listened to most recently in order so you can pick up where you left off. The "From Your Wish List" section shows you books you've added to your wishlist, starting with the most recently added.

Audible also has a "Best Sellers" section, which includes the most popular books. The "Recommended For You" section is a great way to find new reads based on what you've listened to in the past. The "Popular In Your Top Genres" section takes the genre of what you listen to and recommends top listens from that genre. The "New Releases" section shows the newest books on Audible, and they add more all the time, so this section is constantly changing. The "Editors' Picks" are recommendations from the editors at Audible. The "Top 10 free podcasts" shows the best podcasts that you can listen to for free, with or without a subscription.

The "Library" section is where users can select a book to listen to. If you click on the three vertical dots by a title, you can see its details, find more books by the author, share, mark it as finished, rate and review, add it to your favorites, add it to a collection, archive it, or download it or remove it from your device if it's been downloaded. Users can select different options for viewing their library, including All, Not Started, Started, Downloaded, and Finished. Users can also sort by All, Audiobooks or Podcasts, Wish List, Collections, Authors, and Genres.

The "Collections" section allows users to create their own groups of audiobooks, making it really easy to keep track and listen to just what you want to at the right time. This makes finding books a lot easier and sharing some of your favorites with others, too! It also makes it possible for users to split up the fiction and non-fiction books that they listen to.

The "Discover" section is another favorite of many Audible users. It allows users to find new books by browsing by genre, podcasts, sleep & meditation, Audible Originals, and Included With Membership. The section also includes best sellers, creator picks, coming soon, and more. Users can see all categories and compare plans and start listening.

The "Profile" section includes account settings, billing, and customer support. The "Achievements" section is an exciting feature that shows how long users have listened, what level they're at, and even the badges they've earned. These badges are particularly interesting and are a good motivation to read and use the app to its full potential. Users can press on any of the badges that they don't have yet to see generally how to get it but not the specifics. It's kind of a mystery what you need to do to get the badge, but that makes it even more fun! Badges can be earned by listening to a title that's longer than 20 hours, listening for at least three hours around lunchtime, and finishing two books in a single week.

Other Listening Options

Audible offers a variety of listening options beyond the mobile app. Users can listen to audiobooks on their computer, tablet, or other devices, including Sonos speakers, Fire TV, Alexa-enabled devices, Kindle, and tablets.

To listen to Audible audiobooks on a computer, users can simply go to the Audible website and access their library. The audio player pops up in a separate window, which some users may find inconvenient, but the audiobooks continue to play even if the Audible tab is closed.

For users who prefer to listen on a tablet, Audible offers apps for Android, iPad, and Windows. The app allows users to download audiobooks for offline listening and offers playback speed controls, bookmarks, and other features.

Amazon device owners can also listen to Audible audiobooks on their devices. This includes Alexa-enabled devices, Fire tablets, and Kindles. Users can link their Audible account to their Amazon device and access their audiobooks through the Audible app or by asking Alexa to play their audiobook.

While Audible is owned by Amazon, it is not limited to Amazon devices. However, some users may prefer other audiobook services that offer compatibility with a wider range of devices.

In summary, Audible offers a variety of listening options beyond the mobile app, including on desktop, tablet, and other devices. Users can choose the listening option that works best for them, whether it's the Audible app on their tablet or accessing their library through the Audible website on their computer.

How Much Does Audible Cost?

Audible offers five subscription options, including Audible Plus, Audible Premium Plus, Audible Premium Plus (2 Credits), Audible Premium Plus Annual (12 Credits), and Audible Premium Plus Annual (24 Credits). The cost of each plan varies depending on the number of credits and the duration of the subscription.

The cheapest option is Audible Plus, which costs £7.99 per month. This plan includes access to the plus catalog, which lets you listen to thousands of Audible Originals, podcasts, sleep tracks, and meditation programs, as much as you want.

Audible Premium Plus is priced at £15.99 per month and includes access to the plus catalog as described above, plus one title of your choice each month that you get to keep in your library forever, even if you cancel.

If you want more credits, you can opt for Audible Premium Plus (2 Credits) for £22.95 a month, which is the same as the regular Premium Plus, but you get two audiobooks a month to keep in your library forever.

For those who want to save money, Audible Premium Plus Annual (12 Credits) is priced at £149.50 a year. This option is the same as Premium Plus, only cheaper, because you’re paying for a year at a time. Each credit comes out to about £12.50 on this plan.

If you want even more credits, you can opt for Audible Premium Plus Annual (24 Credits) for £229.50 a year. This plan is the same as the Annual plan described above, but you get 24 credits in the year instead of just 12. This is even cheaper, as each audiobook comes out to roughly £9.56 with this plan.

All of the options include a 30-day free trial. If you get Premium Plus, that means you get one audiobook for free plus the ability to listen to all those Audible Originals and more. And if you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you can even get two premium titles as part of a Premium Plus free trial!

In summary, the cost of Audible depends on the subscription plan you choose. Audible Plus is the cheapest option, while Audible Premium Plus Annual (24 Credits) is the most expensive. All plans come with a 30-day free trial, and Premium Plus subscribers get one free audiobook and access to the plus catalog.

9 Benefits of Using Audible

Audible offers a wide range of benefits for audiobook listeners. Here are nine benefits of using Audible:

Reduced stress: Listening to audiobooks, especially fiction, is a great way to disconnect from the stress of daily life. It can help you relax and get lost in the story, reducing stress levels.
Better sleep: Listening to a fictional audiobook before bed can calm your mind and help you fall asleep faster, leading to a more restful sleep.
Improved relationships: Listening to fictional audiobooks can help you develop more empathy, which can improve your relationships with others. It can also activate parts of your brain that help you understand the world and other people better.
Memory enhancements: Reading fiction has been shown to slow down age-related mental decline and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Mentoring from experts: Listening to non-fiction audiobooks allows you to learn from experts in a variety of fields, even if you wouldn't otherwise be able to meet them.
Learning life lessons: Non-fiction audiobooks offer valuable insights and life lessons that can make you smarter and help you improve your life.
Motivation to be your best self: Non-fiction audiobooks can inspire you to be better and achieve your goals.
Happiness and success: Listening to non-fiction audiobooks can provide clear pathways to joy and prosperity, reinforcing ideas and helping you grow happier.
Exclusive member-only deals: Audible members have access to exclusive promotions, including free audiobooks, daily deals, and discounts of up to 80% off.

Overall, Audible offers a wide range of benefits for audiobook listeners, including relaxation, improved relationships, and personal growth. With a vast selection of titles and exclusive member-only deals, Audible is a great choice for anyone looking to listen to audiobooks.

How Audible Helped Them Become a Better Person

Audible has helped many people to become better versions of themselves by providing them with access to a vast library of audiobooks. For instance, one person discovered the power of books during a very stressful time in their life.

They came across Greg McKeown’s Essentialism and its principles helped them simplify their life by eliminating the unessential so they could focus on what was most important. Doing that brought them greater happiness and a better ability to handle stress than they would have had without it. They have since listened to the book many times, and each time they get a new insight that makes their life better.

In addition to non-fiction, fiction audiobooks can also have a profound impact on one's life. Listening to an old favourite can help someone relax and unwind each day, reducing their stress levels and improving their sleep. This, in turn, can make it easier to handle everything going on in their life.

Accessing Audible's library of audiobooks is easy, with a risk-free 30-day trial available to all new users. By signing up for the trial, users can discover the power of audiobooks for themselves and see how they can improve their life. Audible's library includes countless books that can help people to simplify their lives, improve their mental health, and learn new skills.

The trial is risk-free, and there is no obligation to continue using the service after the 30-day period. However, many people find that Audible becomes an essential part of their daily routine, helping them to become better versions of themselves.

Is Audible Worth It?

Audible is a subscription service that offers a wide selection of audiobooks, podcasts, and other audio content. The question is whether or not it is worth the monthly subscription fee of $7.99 or $15.99.

According to the background information provided, Audible is 100% worth it. The benefits of an Audible subscription include better sleep, stress management, happiness, and success. However, if you are concerned about adding another monthly expense to your budget, there are ways to make it work.

One suggestion is to consider cancelling one of your other subscriptions, such as Netflix or Disney+, and using that money and time to pay for and listen to audiobooks on Audible instead. This can not only save you money but also improve your overall well-being.

Watching too much TV has been shown to have negative effects on physical and mental health, including weight gain, poor sleep, and increased risk of Alzheimer's. By switching to Audible, you can gain back some of these intangible costs and improve your quality of life.

In summary, Audible is worth considering if you are looking for a way to improve your mental and physical health while enjoying great content. With a wide selection of audiobooks and other audio content, Audible can help you make the most of your time and money.

Conclusion: Our Audible Review

After extensive research and personal experience, it can be concluded that Audible is a great investment for audiobook lovers. With a monthly subscription of just £7.99 or £15.99, users get unlimited access to a vast selection of audiobooks, one free audiobook to keep each month, and additional benefits that come with reading more books.

The Audible app is user-friendly and offers several listening options, including the ability to listen offline. The audiobooks available on Audible are of high quality and cover a wide range of genres, from fiction to non-fiction. The subscription service also offers podcasts, original content, and exclusive deals.

Audible's free 30-day trial provides an excellent opportunity to test the service and decide if it's worth the investment. The trial includes a free audiobook and access to the included library, which has a vast selection of titles.

Overall, Audible is a great investment for anyone who loves audiobooks and wants access to a vast selection of high-quality titles. The subscription service is affordable, offers excellent value for money, and provides an enjoyable listening experience.

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