Is Audible Worth It?

0 Shares

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn’t change our picks or your price.

Quick answer: Audible is worth it if you regularly listen to about one audiobook a month, want to own your books and like the large catalog and narration quality. It is less worthwhile if you listen rarely, if your library has the titles you want, or if you prefer a subscription with unlimited listening. Prices and plans change, so check the current terms before joining.

Quick facts
Premium Plus has typically cost about 15 dollars a month in the US and includes one credit
Credits buy a book you keep, even after you cancel
Audible also has a cheaper catalog-only plan
A free trial is usually available for new members
Libraries offer free audiobooks through Libby and Hoopla

Audible is the best-known audiobook service, but it is not the right choice for everyone. Here is how it works, what it costs and who benefits most. Prices and plans change often, so confirm details on Audible’s site.

Table of Contents

How Audible Works

Audible members pay a monthly fee and receive a credit, which can be exchanged for any audiobook, regardless of its price. Books purchased with credits stay in your library even if you cancel. Members also get access to the Audible Plus catalog, which includes many titles to stream or download at no extra cost, and can buy additional books at member prices.

What Does Audible Cost?

In the US, the standard plan has been about 15 dollars a month for one credit, with options for annual plans or multiple credits. A lower-cost plan gives access to the Plus catalog without a monthly credit. New members often get a free trial and sometimes a discount for the first months. Because prices change, check the current offer. If an audiobook normally costs 20 to 30 dollars, a credit can be a good value.

Who Gets the Most Value?

People who listen to at least one audiobook a month
Listeners who like long or new best-sellers that libraries may have waitlists for
Those who want to keep their books permanently
Commuters, runners and anyone who listens daily
Readers who like narrator performances and full-cast productions

When Audible May Not Be Worth It

If you listen to only a few audiobooks a year, the monthly fee can feel wasteful, though credits roll over for a limited time. If you mostly read older or popular books, your library may have them for free on Libby. Some listeners prefer unlimited plans or subscriptions with a flat rate. Also note that Audible books are tied to Audible’s apps and formats.

Cheaper and Free Alternatives

Library apps. Libby and Hoopla provide free audiobooks with a library card.
Spotify Premium. Offers a monthly allowance of audiobook hours in some regions.
Libro.fm. Supports local bookstores.
LibriVox. Free public domain audiobooks.
Free trials. Try a service for a month, then decide.

Our comparison of Audible and Spotify can help you choose.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Audible

Use your credits on expensive or long books, and use the Plus catalog for casual listening. Take advantage of sales, which offer discounted audiobooks. Listen at 1.25 times speed to save time. Make a wish list so you can choose quickly each month. If you want to cancel, you may be offered a pause or a discount, so read the options. You can find Audible offers on Amazon.

Is Listening the Same as Reading?

Research on comprehension suggests that listening and reading are similar for many kinds of stories, though some people absorb information better by reading. Audiobooks are a good fit for fiction and memoir, and they are especially helpful when your hands or eyes are busy. See our article on whether audiobooks count as reading for more detail.

A Cost Example

Suppose you listen to one 12-hour audiobook each month. If you bought that audiobook individually at the typical price of about 20 to 30 dollars, you could spend 240 to 360 dollars a year. A credit-based membership at around 15 dollars per credit would cost roughly 180 dollars for twelve books, and the credits could be used on pricier titles. If instead you borrow most books from the library, you may need only a handful of purchases each year, and a membership would cost more than you use. Run the numbers with your own habits before joining.

Common Complaints and How to Handle Them

Listeners sometimes mention that credits expire after a period if unused, that the catalog interface can be cluttered and that audiobooks bought with credits can be tied to the Audible app. Ways to handle this include choosing books promptly, setting a monthly reminder and checking whether you can download the file for your own backup under the current terms. Some listeners also feel that the best deals appear during sales, so patience can pay off. If these issues bother you, a library app is a simple alternative.

Alternatives to Audible Worth Knowing

Besides library apps, Libro.fm lets you buy audiobooks while supporting independent bookstores, Chirp offers deeply discounted individual audiobooks and some publishers sell audiobooks directly. Comparing prices can save money, especially if you want to own the files. Because each service has its own app and format, think about where you want to keep your library before you buy many titles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes if you listen to about a book a month and want to keep your books; otherwise consider a library app.

Do I keep my Audible books if I cancel?

Books bought with credits stay in your library.

What is an Audible credit?

A token that lets you choose any audiobook, regardless of price.

Is there a free alternative to Audible?

Libby, Hoopla and LibriVox offer free audiobooks.

Can I get a refund on a book?

Audible has an exchange policy for books you did not like; check current terms.