Is Audible Worth It in 2025?

Wondering if Audible is worth the price? This 2025 guide explains what Audible is, what you get, how Audible Premium works, cancellation policies, pros and cons, and who should subscribe.

Introduction: Should You Pay for Audible?

If you love books but don’t always have time to sit down and read, chances are you’ve thought about audiobooks. Among all the options available, Audible, Amazon’s audiobook service, stands out as the biggest and most popular platform.

But with a monthly cost and different membership tiers, you might be asking: Is Audible worth it in 2025?

Photo by Stas Knop: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-corded-headphones-with-colorful-books-in-between-5939401/

In this in-depth guide, we’ll break down:

What Audible is and how it works
What you get with a membership
The difference between Audible Plus and Premium Plus
Audible’s cancellation policy and ownership rules
Pros, cons, and alternatives
And ultimately, whether it’s worth your money

By the end, you’ll know if Audible fits your listening habits (like it does for me) or if a free or cheaper alternative might be a better choice (and there are plenty of alternatives).

What Is Audible?

Audible is Amazon’s audiobook and spoken-word entertainment platform, launched in 1995 and now boasting the largest selection of audiobooks in the world (over 600,000 titles). Its catalog includes:

Best-selling fiction and non-fiction
Self-help and personal development books
True crime, memoirs, and biographies
Exclusive Audible Originals (audio dramas, podcasts, and shows not found elsewhere)

Audible is available on almost any device, including:

iOS and Android apps
Amazon Echo and Alexa-enabled devices
The Kindle app (with WhisperSync for switching between ebook and audio)
Desktop browsers

You don’t need a membership to use Audible (you can buy books individually), but subscribing unlocks major benefits like credits, discounts, and unlimited streaming.

How Does Audible Work?

Audible works through a credit-based system for most memberships:

Each credit equals one audiobook, no matter its price, length, or popularity.
Popular titles can cost $30–$40 individually, so a $14.95 credit can save you a lot.
Unused credits roll over (up to your plan’s limit).

Members also get access to the Audible Plus Catalog, a Netflix-style streaming library of thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and Originals you can listen to without using credits.

Once you buy a book (with a credit or cash), it’s yours to keep forever, even if you cancel.

What Do You Get with Audible Membership?

All Audible plans come with core benefits, but the features vary based on which tier you choose.

Standard Membership Benefits:

Monthly or Annual Credits
Redeemable for any audiobook, including bestsellers and new releases.
Audible Plus Catalog Access
Unlimited streaming of thousands of titles (like podcasts, Originals, and select audiobooks).
Discounted Purchases
Get 30% off any additional audiobooks you buy beyond your monthly credits.
Exclusive Sales
Member-only deals like “2-for-1” bundles and limited-time discounts.
Permanent Ownership
Books purchased with credits or cash remain in your library forever.

Audible Membership Tiers Explained

Audible currently offers two main membership levels: Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus.

1. Audible Plus (this is the plan I have)

Price: $7.95/month
Features:
- Unlimited streaming of the Audible Plus Catalog
- No credits (you can’t keep books permanently unless you buy them separately)
Best for:
- Casual listeners
- People who mainly want to stream podcasts and Originals
- Those who don’t mind not owning books

2. Audible Premium Plus

Price: $14.95/month for 1 credit
Features:
- Everything in Audible Plus
- 1 monthly credit for any audiobook (keep forever)
- 30% discount on additional audiobook purchases
Best for:
- Avid listeners
- Anyone who wants to build a permanent audiobook library
- People who listen to longer or pricier books (where credits save you money)

Annual and Multi-Credit Plans

Audible also offers annual plans (12 or 24 credits upfront) and 2-credit monthly plans.
These options often reduce the cost per audiobook and are perfect for power listeners.

Audible Premium Plus Annual: Is It a Better Deal?

For heavy audiobook listeners, annual plans can be the most cost-effective:

Paying upfront often lowers the cost per credit to around $11–$13.
You can use your credits at any time during the year (no monthly expiration pressure).

If you listen to at least two audiobooks per month, this plan usually saves money compared to buying books individually.

Can You Keep Audible Books After Cancelling?

Yes. One of Audible’s biggest perks is that you own any audiobook you purchase, even if it was bought with a credit.
However:

You lose access to the Audible Plus Catalog and member discounts after cancelling.
Unused credits disappear when you cancel, so use them first.

Audible’s Cancellation Policy: Is It Easy to Cancel?

Audible allows you to cancel anytime online via your account settings—no phone calls or hassles required.
Before you cancel:

Spend any remaining credits, or you’ll lose them.
Check for retention offers—Audible sometimes gives free credits or discounted months to keep you.

Is Audible Expensive?

Whether Audible feels expensive depends on how you use it:

$14.95/month for one audiobook and unlimited streaming can be a great value, especially for long or high-cost titles.
Buying a $40 audiobook for $14.95 via a credit saves money.
If you only listen occasionally, Audible Plus ($7.95) or even just buying books individually might be cheaper.

Pros of Audible

Largest audiobook selection (600,000+ titles)
Ownership of purchased books (keep forever)
Credits can be used on any book, no matter the price
Access to exclusive Originals and podcasts
Works across multiple devices and integrates with Alexa
Easy cancellation and refunds (you can even exchange audiobooks you don’t like-with exceptions)

Cons of Audible

Monthly fee (can feel steep if you’re not a regular listener)
Unused credits expire when you cancel
Streaming library (Plus Catalog) is limited compared to full catalog
Cheaper or free alternatives exist (like Libby or Scribd)

Who Is Audible Best For?

Audible is ideal if:

You listen to at least one audiobook a month (or more).
You want to build a personal audiobook collection.
You like exclusive content and seamless device integration.

Audible may not be worth it if:

You’re an occasional listener.
You prefer physical books or ebooks.
You’re fine with borrowing from free services like Libby instead of owning.

Audible vs. Alternatives

Before you decide, here’s how Audible compares to competitors:

1. Libby (Free with a Library Card)

Completely free
Huge selection, but availability depends on library stock (you may wait for holds for popular books)
You don’t own the books

Pro tip for Libby: figure out when they add new books (for my library, it’s Tuesday afternoons) and be sure to check the app at that time to be the first in line for new titles!

2. Scribd ($11.99/month)

Unlimited ebooks and audiobooks
Smaller catalog
Content can rotate out

3. Libro.fm ($14.99/month)

Similar to Audible but supports independent bookstores
Smaller selection compared to Audible

4. Spotify Premium Audiobooks

Select titles available
Still a growing service, not as comprehensive

Audible still wins for selection, exclusive titles, and the ability to own books forever.

Tips to Get the Most Out of Audible

Use credits for the most expensive or longest books to maximize value.
Take advantage of sales—members get frequent 2-for-1 or $5 deals.
Download books for offline listening for travel or commuting.
Use speed controls to finish books faster (or savor them slower).
Roll over unused credits (up to your plan’s limit).

FAQs About Audible

1. How much does Audible cost per month?
Audible Plus is $7.95/month. Audible Premium Plus starts at $14.95/month for 1 credit (one audiobook).

2. Can I listen without a subscription?
Yes, you can buy audiobooks individually without subscribing, but you’ll miss out on discounts and the Plus Catalog.

3. Can I share Audible books?
Yes, via Amazon Household you can share your library with one other adult.

4. Can I exchange books?
Audible allows easy returns or exchanges if you don’t like a book.

5. Do Audible credits expire?
Credits roll over for up to 12 months, but unused credits vanish if you cancel.

Final Verdict: Is Audible Worth It?

For most audiobook enthusiasts, Audible is worth it, especially the Premium Plus plan.
Why?

Each credit can be used on any book (even $40 titles).
You get to own your books forever.
The Plus Catalog adds extra value for casual listening.
Frequent sales and discounts stretch your credits further.

If you only listen occasionally, you may prefer Audible Plus ($7.95) or free options like Libby. But for consistent audiobook lovers, Audible remains the best all-in-one service for selection, convenience, and long-term ownership.

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