Audible review · Updated November 2026
Audible Review 2026: Is an Audible Subscription Worth It?
Audible is the biggest name in audiobooks, and for most listeners it’s the obvious place to start. But a membership isn’t cheap, the plans changed in 2026, and there are good alternatives. Here’s what you get, what it costs and whether it’s worth it for you.
By Peter Clemens · Originally published July 2023 · Updated November 2026
Some links are affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you. How I make money.
My verdict
I’ve been an Audible member since 2008, and it’s still where I do most of my listening. The selection is unparalleled: more than a million titles, plus Audible Originals and exclusives you won’t find anywhere else. If you finish at least one audiobook a month, it’s worth it.
Audible plans and prices
US prices as of November 2026.
Swipe the table to see every column.
| Plan | Price | Cost per book | Keep your books? | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $8.99/mo | $8.99 | Only while you’re a member | 1 audiobook a month, plus Audible Originals and a curated set of included titles |
| Premium | $14.95/mo | $14.95 | Yes | 1 credit a month that rolls over for up to a year, the full Plus Catalog, member sale prices and easy returns |
| Premium, 2 credits | $22.95/mo | About $11.48 | Yes | Everything in Premium, with 2 credits a month |
| Premium annual, 12 credits | $149.50/yr | About $12.46 | Yes | 12 credits up front |
| Premium annual, 24 credits | $229.50/yr | About $9.56 | Yes | 24 credits up front, the lowest price per book |
Audible outside the US
Audible runs separate stores for Canada, the UK and Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, India and Brazil, and listeners in most other countries use Audible.com. Prices, plans, deals and the catalog vary by store, and some books are only available in certain countries. For example, Premium is $14.95 CAD a month in Canada and $16.45 AUD in Australia.
The Standard plan launched in 2026 in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany and France, so in other countries Premium is usually the main plan. Your library is tied to the store you sign up with, but if you move, Audible can transfer your account to another store in some cases.
What I like and what I don’t
What I like
- The selection is unparalleled, with Audible Originals and exclusives on top
- Books you buy with a Premium credit or cash are yours to keep
- A polished app with offline downloads, speed control, a sleep timer and sync across devices
- Easy returns on credit purchases for up to 365 days
- Regular member sales make extra books cheaper
What I don’t
- It’s expensive if you don’t keep up with your credits
- Unused credits disappear if you cancel
- Standard picks are locked when you cancel, which is easy to miss
- Books only play in Audible’s apps (DRM)
- It’s owned by Amazon, which some listeners would rather avoid
Features worth knowing
- Share with your household. Through Amazon Family, you can share the audiobooks you’ve bought with one other adult and up to four children. Credits and Plus Catalog titles can’t be shared.
- Switch between reading and listening. If you read on Kindle, many Kindle books let you add the Audible narration for less and pick up where you left off in either format.
- Productions you won’t find elsewhere. Audible has the biggest range of full-cast and celebrity-narrated audiobooks, plus a growing number of titles in Dolby Atmos. Here are the best Audible Originals and my take on Dolby Atmos on Audible.
- Listen anywhere. Apps for iPhone, iPad and Android, plus Alexa, Kindle, the web and many cars, with offline downloads, speed control and a sleep timer.
How Audible compares
Audible is the best all-rounder, but it isn’t the right fit for everyone. These are the alternatives I recommend:
- Audiobooks.com: works much like Audible, with monthly credits you keep. A good choice if you’d rather not use an Amazon company.
- Libro.fm: credits that never expire, DRM-free files, and every purchase supports an independent bookstore.
- Chirp: no subscription. You buy discounted audiobooks one at a time, which suits occasional listeners and deal hunters.
- Libby: free audiobooks from your local library. What you can borrow depends on your library, and popular titles can have long waits.
- Spotify: Spotify Premium includes a monthly allowance of audiobook listening, which is handy if you already pay for it.
For a side-by-side look, see my best audiobook services compared and best alternatives to Audible.
How to pay less for Audible
- Start with the current deal. New members can get 3 months of Standard for $0.99 a month, plus a $20 Audible bonus. Get the deal.
- Go annual if you listen every month. The 24-credit annual plan is the cheapest way to buy audiobooks on Audible.
- Wait for member sales. Audible regularly discounts popular titles for members, and I round up the best ones on my audiobook deals page.
- Pause instead of canceling. If you need a break, you can pause your membership and keep your credits. Here’s how to pause or cancel Audible.
- Spend your credits before you cancel. Unused credits are lost when your membership ends.
More ideas in my Audible tips and tricks.
Audible questions
Is Audible worth it?
For most regular listeners, yes. If you finish at least one audiobook a month and want to own what you buy, Premium is good value, and nothing else matches Audible’s selection. If you only listen a few times a year, borrowing from your library with Libby or buying one-off deals on Chirp will cost you less.
How much does Audible cost?
In the US, Audible Standard is $8.99 a month and Audible Premium is $14.95 a month for one credit, or $22.95 for two. Annual Premium plans cost $149.50 for 12 credits or $229.50 for 24 credits, which works out to about $9.56 a book.
What is the difference between Audible Standard and Premium?
With Premium, each credit buys an audiobook you keep forever, and you get the full Plus Catalog of included titles. With Standard, you pick one audiobook a month, but you can only listen to your picks while you’re a member, and the included selection is smaller.
What is the best Audible deal right now?
New members can get 3 months of Audible Standard for $0.99 a month, plus a $20 Audible bonus. After that it renews at $8.99 a month. See my best audiobook deals page for other current offers.
Is there an Audible free trial?
Yes. New members can try Audible free for 30 days on Standard or Premium. Right now Audible is also offering 3 months of Audible Standard for $0.99 a month, plus a $20 Audible bonus, which is better value. See my Audible free trial guide for how both work.
Do I keep my Audible books if I cancel?
Yes, for anything you bought with a Premium credit or with cash. You lose access to Standard picks and the Plus Catalog, and any unused credits disappear when you cancel, so spend them first.
Can I return an Audible book?
Yes. Premium members can return a book bought with a credit within 365 days and get the credit back. Here’s how to return an Audible book.
Is Audible free with Amazon Prime?
No. Audible is a separate subscription, although Prime members are sometimes offered special introductory deals.
Can I share Audible books with my family?
Yes. Through Amazon Family, you can share purchased Audible books with one other adult and up to four children in your household. Membership credits and Plus Catalog titles can’t be shared.
Does Audible work outside the US?
Yes. Audible has its own stores for Canada, the UK and Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, India and Brazil, and most other countries use Audible.com. Prices, plans and the catalog vary by country.
What devices can I use Audible on?
The Audible app runs on iPhone, iPad and Android, and you can also listen on Alexa devices, Kindle, in a web browser and in many cars. Your place syncs across all of them, and you can download books to listen offline.
Never run out of audiobooks to listen to
One email a week: the best current audiobook deals and one editor’s pick.
