Who Is Audible For?
Audible is Amazon's audiobook subscription service. The pricing is confusing by design—a credit system that makes value hard to calculate. Let's clarify.
The ideal Audible subscriber:
- Listens to audiobooks regularly — At least one book per month
- Has listening time — Commute, exercise, chores
- Prefers listening to reading — Audiobooks fit your lifestyle
- Chooses expensive titles — Credits maximize value on $30+ books
If you listen to audiobooks occasionally, the library is free.
Pricing Breakdown
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | What's Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plus | $8 | $96/yr |
|
| Premium Plus 1 | $15 | $180/yr |
|
| Premium Plus 2 | $23 | $276/yr |
|
| Annual 12 | $12.50 | $150/yr |
|
Hidden Costs: Credits expire after 12 months. Unused credits are lost.
Refund Policy: Easy returns within 365 days (even after listening). No questions asked.
Understanding Credits
1 credit = 1 audiobook, regardless of price.
This favors expensive books:
- Use credit on $40 book → Great value ($15 for $40 book)
- Use credit on $10 book → Bad value (pay $15, get $10 book)
Strategy: Use credits on expensive titles. Buy cheap audiobooks outright.
The Plus Catalog Trap
Audible Plus ($8/mo) sounds cheap, but:
- Limited to "Plus catalog" books (a small subset)
- New releases aren't included
- Popular titles often excluded
- You're streaming, not owning
For most users, Plus is not enough. Premium Plus (with credits) is the real product.
Time vs. Money Tradeoff
| Factor | Details | |--------|---------| | Setup Time | 5 minutes | | Learning Curve | None | | Time to Value | Immediate—download and listen |
Audiobooks require significant time investment (8-15 hours per book typically). The question is whether you have that listening time.
The Math: When Credits Pay Off
| Book Price | Credit Value | Savings | |------------|--------------|---------| | $40+ | Excellent | $25+ | | $30 | Good | $15 | | $20 | Break-even | $5 | | $10 | Bad | -$5 |
Break-even point: If the average audiobook you want costs $20+, credits are worth it.
Alternatives Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Audible (This review) | — | — |
| Library (Libby/OverDrive) | Free | Budget-conscious, patient listeners |
| Spotify Audiobooks | $11/mo (with Premium) | Existing Spotify subscribers (15 hrs/mo) |
| Scribd | $12/mo | Heavy readers who want unlimited |
| Google Play Books | Pay per book | Occasional purchases, no commitment |
| Libro.fm | $15/mo | Supporting local bookstores |
The Library Alternative
Libby/OverDrive provides free audiobooks from your public library:
- ✅ Completely free with library card
- ✅ Huge selection
- ❌ Wait times for popular titles
- ❌ Limited loan periods
If you're patient and budget-conscious, the library is the answer.
Spotify's Audiobook Play
Spotify Premium now includes 15 hours of audiobook listening per month. If you already pay for Spotify:
- Check if the books you want are available
- 15 hours ≈ 1-2 audiobooks monthly
- No extra cost if you're already subscribed
When Audible Is NOT Worth It
❌ Skip If:
- You listen occasionally — Pay per book on Google Play or use the library
- You already pay for Spotify Premium — Try included audiobooks first
- You're patient with holds — Library audiobooks are free
- You prefer podcasts — Many podcasts offer book-like content free
- You read physical/ebooks — Different format, different value
The biggest trap: subscribing, letting credits pile up, then losing them after 12 months.
When Audible IS Worth It
✅ Buy If:
- You'll listen to 1+ audiobooks monthly — Credit value is realized
- You have consistent listening time — Commute, exercise, chores
- You want new releases immediately — Library wait times are long
- You prefer owning over borrowing — Audible purchases are yours forever
- You'll use the generous return policy — Try books, return if not for you
Audible's Secret Weapon: Returns
Audible's return policy is absurdly generous:
- Return any audiobook within 365 days
- Even after listening completely
- No questions asked
- Original credit returned
This is effectively a try-before-you-keep system. Use it liberally.
Final Verdict
DEPENDS
Audible is worth it for regular audiobook consumers who listen to 1+ books monthly and prefer new releases over library waitlists. The credit system rewards strategic use on expensive titles.
It's not worth it for occasional listeners. The library is free, Spotify includes 15 hours, and buying individual audiobooks is cheaper if you consume one every few months.
Bottom Line: Calculate your realistic listening time. If you'll consistently consume 12+ audiobooks per year, the annual plan ($150/year, 12 credits) makes sense. If not, stick to library or pay-per-book.
FAQ
Is Audible worth it if I already have Kindle Unlimited?
Different formats. Kindle Unlimited is ebooks; Audible is audiobooks. If you prefer listening (commute, exercise), Audible might be worth it separately. Some Kindle books have Audible narration add-ons at reduced prices.
Do I keep audiobooks if I cancel Audible?
Yes. Any audiobook you purchased with credits or money is yours forever, accessible in the Audible app even without a subscription.
How do I maximize Audible value?
Use credits on books priced $25+. Buy cheap audiobooks outright. Use the annual plan for best per-credit pricing. Return books you don't enjoy within 365 days.
Is Audible Plus worth it?
Rarely. The Plus catalog is limited. Most people want specific books that require Premium Plus credits. Try a free trial to see if the Plus catalog has what you want.