Many people will tell you that listening to audiobooks totally counts as reading. Think about it – you’re still experiencing a book, just engaging your ears instead of your eyes.
If you’re even a casual book lover, you’ve probably heard of Audible. For anyone who’s browsed Amazon, the platform is practically unavoidable.
Audible stands out as one of the most popular audiobook subscription services available. As someone who’s embraced audiobooks in recent years, largely thanks to my trusty library card, I decided to dive deep and explore if Audible truly lives up to the hype.
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So, is Audible worth the investment? Spoiler alert: I’m definitely leaning towards yes! Below, I’ve compiled a detailed review of Audible, covering everything from its pricing structure to its features, along with some audiobook recommendations I’ve personally enjoyed on the platform.
Understanding Audible: A Deep Dive
Audible is an Amazon-owned subscription service that gives you access to a vast library of audiobooks, exclusive Audible Originals, and podcasts. You have the flexibility to purchase audiobooks individually, or you can choose from two different monthly subscription plans to unlock a world of listening.
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As someone deeply immersed in the world of reading, primarily through audio, I’ve experimented with various audiobook platforms. In my experience, Audible consistently comes out on top. Its user-friendly interface and unique benefits, such as the Audible Plus catalog which offers a range of titles free with your subscription, set it apart.
Audible Subscription Price: Decoding the Cost
Let’s get to the crucial question: How Much Is Audible? Audible provides two main membership options, starting at $7.95 per month. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each plan:
| Feature | Audible Plus ($7.95/month) Audible Pricing Structure: Unveiling the Plans
Currently, Audible offers two primary subscription models, designed to cater to different listening habits and preferences. Understanding these plans is key to answering the question of how much Audible truly costs and whether it aligns with your needs.
1. Audible Plus: The Budget-Friendly Gateway
For a monthly fee of $7.95, Audible Plus provides unlimited access to the Plus Catalog. This catalog is a treasure trove of select Audible Originals, audiobooks, podcasts, and exclusive series. Think of it as an all-you-can-listen buffet of audio entertainment. You can explore various genres and authors without needing to spend extra credits.
Key Features of Audible Plus:
- Unlimited Listening from the Plus Catalog: Dive into a wide range of audiobooks and podcasts within the Plus Catalog as much as you like.
- Affordable Entry Point: At $7.95 per month, it’s the more budget-conscious option to experience Audible’s offerings.
- Free Trial: Test the waters with a free trial to explore the Plus Catalog before committing.
2. Audible Premium Plus: Credits and Premium Selection
Stepping up to $14.95 per month, Audible Premium Plus includes everything in the Plus plan, and adds the crucial element of credits. With this plan, you receive one credit each month. This credit can be used to purchase any audiobook in Audible’s premium selection, regardless of its listed price. This opens up access to the entire Audible library, including new releases and bestsellers that might not be in the Plus Catalog.
Key Features of Audible Premium Plus:
- Everything in Audible Plus: Enjoy unlimited access to the Plus Catalog.
- Monthly Credit for Premium Title: Receive one credit per month to redeem for any audiobook in the premium selection.
- Keep Your Purchased Titles: Audiobooks purchased with credits are yours to keep forever, even if you cancel your subscription.
- Exclusive Member Discounts: Benefit from special deals and discounts on additional audiobook purchases.
- Free Trial: Experience the full Premium Plus benefits with a free trial month.
| Feature | Audible Plus ($7.95/month) | Audible Premium Plus ($14.95/month)
On the right, an Audible original included at no extra cost in the Plus catalog. On the left, a title that requires purchase or credit to listen. Audible
This image illustrates the distinction you’ll encounter on book pages depending on whether they are part of the Audible Plus catalog or not. Audible Plus titles allow you to instantly play and add them to your library without any purchase. For titles requiring purchase – either with credits or direct payment – this will be clearly indicated on the book’s page.
Once you’ve added books to your library, you can download them for offline listening. Audible also offers customizable playback speeds, ranging from 0.5x to 3.0x. The app intelligently adjusts the estimated time remaining in the book based on your chosen speed, ensuring you always have an accurate understanding of your listening progress.
Mackenzie Newcomb, a literary consultant and founder of the online book club, shared with our sister site Decider a helpful tip for audiobook newcomers: starting at 1.5x speed.
“If you have a hard time following an audiobook, it’s probably because it’s too slow,” Newcomb explained.
As someone who personally listens at a minimum of 2.0x speed (and often up to 2.5x!), I wholeheartedly agree. While it might sound fast initially, most audiobooks are intentionally narrated at a slower pace for easy comprehension. Increasing the speed can sometimes enhance focus and information processing.
Within the Audible player, you’ll find convenient features like car mode, simplifying controls to essential functions like play/pause and skip back 30 seconds. A sleep timer allows you to set the audio to pause automatically after 5-120 minutes or at the chapter’s end. You can also clip and save sections as bookmarks for future reference.
Audible Compared to Other Audiobook Platforms
Beyond Audible, I’ve explored Libro.fm and Spotify for audiobooks.
Libro.fm mirrors Audible’s credit-based system with a $14.99 monthly subscription for one credit. However, it lacks the added perks of Audible’s Plus catalog, which offers extra no-cost books within the subscription.
Spotify recently entered the audiobook arena. While you can purchase books individually, Spotify Premium subscribers get 15 hours of audiobook listening per month. The catch? Finishing a full book within 15 hours is often challenging, especially considering the time limit is based on the book’s original runtime, not adjusted for playback speed. So, even if you listen at 2x speed and finish a 12-hour book in six hours, it still counts as 12 hours against your 15-hour limit.
As a library enthusiast, I utilize Libby and Hoopla, my public library’s apps, whenever possible. However, for new releases with lengthy waitlists (sometimes stretching to six months), Audible’s discounted member pricing, especially with available credits, becomes a more appealing option, particularly when deadlines like book club meetings are involved.
Returning an Audible Book: Understanding the Policy
Audible titles acquired with credits or purchased directly are generally non-returnable. Even upon canceling your Audible subscription, all books purchased with credits remain in your library indefinitely, as they are yours to keep.
Audible
Books within the Audible Plus catalog can be removed from your library by selecting the three dots next to the title and choosing “Remove from Library.”
Top Audible Book Recommendations
When searching for compelling audiobooks, I prioritize engaging formats, full-cast narrations (where each character has a distinct narrator), and celebrity memoirs read by the authors themselves.
editor’s pick
‘Do Tell’ by Lindsay Lynch
This captivating debut novel transports you to Hollywood’s Golden Age through the eyes of a character actress turned gossip columnist. She grapples with the weight of secrets and the power to potentially disrupt her friends’ lives.
$17.72 $0.00
Buy Now
celeb-narrated
‘Taste’ by Stanley Tucci
Delve into actor Stanley Tucci’s life beyond recipes, as he shares stories of his Italian-American upbringing, filming food-centric movies, and finding love – all interwoven with the food that defined these moments.
$13.12 $0.00
Buy Now
full play
‘Angels in America’ by Tony Kushner
Andrew Garfield and Nathan Lane reprise their Tony-winning roles as Prior Walter and Roy Cohn in this complete rendition of “Angels in America.” Adapted for Audible, it features the original 2018 Broadway revival cast.
$19.69 $0.00
Buy Now
non-fiction
‘The Anthropocene Reviewed’ by John Green
John Green, acclaimed for his young adult fiction, explores non-fiction in this essay collection. He examines various aspects of human-centered life on Earth, rating them on a five-star scale. Unsurprisingly, “The Anthropocene Reviewed” earns a full five stars from us.
$15.75 $0.00
bestseller
‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A reclusive, aging Hollywood icon approaches a journalist with an offer: Evelyn will share her life story, but only if Monique is the writer. This audiobook enhances the narrative with three narrators, each representing a distinct perspective, adding richness to the story.
$17.71 $0.00
young adult
‘The Cousins’ by Karen M. McManus
Karen M. McManus reigns as the queen of YA thrillers. “The Cousins” centers on Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story, distant cousins who’ve never met their wealthy, reclusive grandmother. That is, until she invites them to spend the summer working at her island resort, where family secrets begin to surface.
$21.66 $0.00
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Final Verdict: Is Audible Worth It?
To reiterate, I’m a devoted Audible enthusiast. But is it genuinely worth the cost? For me, the answer is a resounding yes. However, for others, the value proposition hinges on individual listening habits and preferences.
If you prioritize access to new releases shortly after publication, Audible might be a more worthwhile investment compared to solely relying on your library’s Libby app, due to potentially long wait times.
Personally, I find a harmonious balance between exploring new releases on Audible and borrowing older titles through Libby (especially by strategically managing waitlists). Ultimately, the decision boils down to personal preference and your average audiobook consumption rate.
Our Testing Methodology:
Audible app displayed on a smartphone with headphones resting on a marble surface. Angela Tricarico
How did we arrive at this review? Simple: extensive listening! I’ve been an Audible subscriber for over two years, making it a constant presence in my app rotation. Leading up to this review, I significantly increased my audiobook consumption.
Our evaluation criteria included:
- User-Friendliness: How intuitive and easy is the app to navigate? Is searching for titles straightforward?
- Selection: Does Audible offer the books I’m interested in? What is the range of titles available for free within the subscription?
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