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Whether you are thinking of getting an Audible subscription for yourself or as an Audible Gift Membership for your favorite book lover, it can be daunting to know the best plan to pick. While there is a lot to understand about the different plans, there’s a simple way to make a choice that you’ll be happy with.
What all Audible plans have in common
No matter which subscription you purchase, you get to listen to audiobooks, podcasts, and more in the “included” library with unlimited streaming.
Audible not only includes audiobooks, but it also offers podcasts, sleep tracks, and meditation programs. Audible also provides an app that’s easy to use and has numerous beneficial features.
Which Audible Plan Do I Pick? (Short Version)
Short and sweet version. If you’d like a more in-depth approach, scroll down to the Detailed Version.
Option 1: Audible Plus
- You don’t want to keep any audiobooks if you cancel your plan
- You like the idea of “Netflix for books”
- You plan to subscribe longterm
Per Month: $7.95
Option 2. Audible Premium Plus
- You want to “own” the audiobooks you choose
- You plan to subscribe short term to collect a few books
Per Month: $14.95 with 1 credit per month
Per Year: $149.50 with 12 instant credits
If you are a real book worm, then you can double your credits.
Per Month: $22.95 with 2 credits per month
Per Year: $229.50 with 24 instant credits
Free Trial: Try Audible Premium Plus and Get Up to Two Free Audiobooks
Which Audible Plan Do I Pick? (Detailed Version)
Audible offers 5 choices for plans, which are all variations of Audible Plus or Audible Premium Plus. What they all have in common is unlimited streaming.
There are differences, however, in what titles are available between Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus. While it is estimated that there are over 200,000 audiobook titles in Audible’s overall library, some reports say that the Plus plan is limited to around 10,000 books. Audible Premium Plus grants access to its complete library, which includes an extended selection of bestsellers and new releases, as well as credits to purchase these titles.
Pricing differences consist of whether you pay monthly or annually, as well as how many credits you receive in a month or year. Audible Plus members do not receive credits.
One by one, let’s look at the differences between what features Audible Plus and the 4 Audible Premium Plus plans offer, then we will compare costs.
Why Should You Choose Audible Plus?
The Audible Plus plan is ideally suited to those who prefer to listen to as many audiobooks as they like each month but do not care to personally own any audiobook titles.
In other words, the Audible Plus plan is essentially a streaming service for audiobooks. Like all Audible plans, it comes with a free 30-day trial.
There are no credits with the Audible Plus plan, which means you can’t even buy books that are discounted during sales events.
If these limitations suit your needs, this is a great deal for the low price of a Plus subscription.
Why Should You Choose Audible Premium Plus?
Audible Premium Plus plans are designed for people who want to own (i.e., purchase) several audiobooks per year, as well as be able to stream unlimited audiobook content.
Premium Plus plans offer sales, such as 2-for-1 as well as $5 audiobook deals that are great bargains that are available with Plus plans.
If you are an avid consumer of books and prefer audiobooks, there is no discernible downside to the price.
When you consider that the cost of the best-selling book can range between $14.95-$19.95, and you receive one purchase credit per month with this plan, if you are somebody that already buys a book a month, then this plan pays for itself, as well as gives you access to unlimited audiobook streaming.
What is the Cost of Audible Plus?
Audible Plus is $7.95, paid monthly. There is no annual plan.
What is the Cost of Audible Premium Plus?
The four options for Audible Premium Plus plans. The one you choose will depend on how many books you want to keep per year.
Audible Premium Plus with 1 credit (paid monthly)
Audible Premium Plus is $14.95 if paid monthly ($179.40 annually). Includes access to the entire Plus catalog, and you receive 1 credit per month toward purchasing any premium selection title. As you will discover with #3 below, you’ll save $30 if you pay annually instead of monthly.
Audible Premium Plus with 2 credits (paid monthly)
Audible Premium Plus is $22.95 if paid monthly ($275.40 annually). Includes access to the entire Plus catalog, and you receive 2 credits per month toward purchasing any premium selection titles.
Audible Premium Plus annual with 12 credits (paid yearly)
Audible Premium Plus is $149.50, paid annually. It includes access to the entire Plus catalog and 12 credits per year toward any premium selection titles. Paying yearly will save you $30 over the monthly plan, and the benefits are the same.
Audible Premium Plus with 24 credits (paid yearly)
Audible Premium Plus is $229.50, paid annually. It includes access to the entire Plus catalog, as well as 24 credits per year toward any premium selection titles. Paying annually save you $45.95 over the 2 credits per month monthly plan, and the benefits are the same.
Try Audible Premium Plus and Get Up to Two Free Audiobooks
Does Audible Have a Free Trial?
Yes. No matter which plan you pick, Audible offers a free 30-day trial. You will be billed after 30 days, and it will automatically renew monthly, or you can choose an annual plan that will renew yearly. You can cancel at any time. (Additional important information on cancellations is given later in this article).
With some offers, you will also get at least 1 audiobook to keep (even after the free trial is over).
Amazon Prime benefit: Amazon Prime members get to keep 2 audiobooks.
You can Try Audible Plus or Try Audible Premium Plus and Get Up to Two Free Audiobooks.
What Are Audible Credits?
Credits allow you to purchase audible audiobooks you wish to keep, i.e., permanently own. Book titles available for purchase will have a banner with “1 CREDIT” next to them. According to Audible, 1 credit = 1 title.
Another critical thing to remember about credits is that they expire after one year. In other words, you need to use them in the year you receive them.
What You Need to Know About Canceling Audible
You can cancel all Audible plans any time, but there are some differences between canceling monthly and yearly plans.
With Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus monthly plans, just make sure to cancel before your renewal date, and you will not be charged for any additional months. You can continue to enjoy Audible with however many days remain until the renewal date (your plan expiration date).
However, if you purchase an annual plan you are paying for an entire year whether you use all of it or not. If you cancel an Audible annual plan, you will NOT get a refund for any unused months if you cancel before the year ends. Canceling an Audible annual plan ensures you will not be charged for an additional year once your 12 months are up. When you cancel a yearly plan, you will still be able to use Audible for however many days remain in your audible plan up until the renewal date.
Listening to Audiobooks: The Audible app
Using the Audible app to listen to audiobooks is a nearly flawless experience. The app has a simple interface, making it easy to use, yet perfectly detailed to provide everything that’s needed without being overwhelming.
Opening the app gives you a home page. This will provide you with access to your library of books, as well as show recommendations for new books, and you can delve further inside the Discover section.
Your profile will give you info on your account, achievements, links to customer support, and more.
Controls:
The basic controls are Play button that also toggles pause/stop. Back or forward 30 seconds. Next or previous chapter. The Chapters list lets you choose chapters directly. The Sleep feature allows you to start a timer for when audio playback will stop. You can choose between five minutes up to 23 hours and 59 seconds. Speed allows you to accelerate or slow down the book’s narration.
The Clip+ button (which also creates a “bookmark”) allows you to easily return to that part of the audiobook. When you add your clip and bookmark, you also can add a Note and Preview. When you choose “preview,” this option allows you to play the clip back and change the length of the clip you’ve saved if desired.
There is also a “Button Free” mode which allows you to simply swipe in different directions to control playback. Swipe left will rewind thirty seconds, while swipe right will forward thirty seconds. Swipe vertically to add a clip.
Our Book Recommendations
What kind of audiobook article would this be without some actual book recommendations? Here are some of the most popular books in the world at the moment, all of which can be found on Audible and Amazon.
1. For the Go-Getters
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones – James Clear
The #1 nonfiction book on Amazon at the time of this writing, this personal transformation and self-help book is a favorite of business leaders, psychologists, and the public alike. Author James Clear promises that tiny changes can create remarkable results. His now-famous mantra covers what he calls “The 4 Laws of Behavioral Change”:
- Make it obvious.
- Make it attractive.
- Make it easy.
- Make it satisfying.
Atomic Habits is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, and Amazon bestseller, and has already sold over 5 million copies worldwide and translated into more than 50 languages. It was acclaimed by Fast Company and Business Insider as among the best business and self-help books of 2018.
2. For the Thriller fans
The Housemaid – Freida McFadden
This 1 New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon #1 best-selling book has spent 14 weeks on Amazon’s fiction list, making author Freida McFadden a significant name and psychological thrillers. The Housemaid is a gripping tale that fans are sure to love.
Freida knows a bit about how the mind works because she is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury. She’s renowned not only for the intense suspense, thrills, and chills found in her books but also for jaw-dropping twists. She is also the recipient of the International Thriller Writers Award.
3. For the Romance fans
It Starts with Us – Colleen Hoover
#1 New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon best-selling author Colleen Hoover has established herself as one of the most popular writers in fiction, turning out a string of number-one hits in recent years in the romance genre. It Starts with Us is no exception.
USA Today called her “The queen of the bestseller list.” This book is the sequel to her blockbuster hit It Ends with Us and stands on its own whether or not you’ve read the first novel.
4. For the Fantasy fans
A Court of Thorns and Roses – Sarah J. Mass
#1 New York Times best-selling book by Sarah J. Maas has topped the charts in fiction, paranormal & urban fantasy, and romantic fantasy categories. It’s the first book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series (currently at 5 books overall).
It blends romance, adventure, and faerie lore into an unforgettable read. USA Today called it “enchanting, spellbinding and imaginative.” At the same time, the Huffington Post said, “This is not a book to be missed!”
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