Audiobooks.com review · Updated November 2026
Audiobooks.com Review 2026: Free Trial, Price and Verdict
Audiobooks.com is the closest thing to Audible that isn’t owned by Amazon. You pay a monthly fee, get a credit for any audiobook and keep what you buy, with a few extras on top. Here’s what you get, what it costs and how the free trial works.
By Peter Clemens · Originally published March 2024 · Updated November 2026
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My verdict
Audiobooks.com is a very good audiobook service and the best straight swap for Audible. It has a huge catalog, a well-made app and extras Audible doesn’t match, like a free monthly VIP book and a library of free titles. It doesn’t have Audible’s exclusives, and returns take a little more effort, but if you’d rather not use Amazon, this is the one I’d choose.
How Audiobooks.com works
Audiobooks.com has been selling audiobooks since 2011. Members get one credit a month, and each credit buys any audiobook in a catalog of more than 700,000 titles. Books you buy are yours to keep, even if you cancel. You can also buy extra credits or audiobooks with cash whenever you want.
Signing up is quick, with options to use your email, Google, Apple or Amazon account, and you can pay with PayPal as well as a card, which I appreciate.
What you get with a membership
- A monthly credit. Use it on any audiobook in the catalog, from new releases to classics.
- A VIP book every month. On top of your credit, choose a bonus audiobook from a curated VIP selection. You can listen to VIP picks while you’re a member.
- More than 10,000 free audiobooks. Included in the app at no extra cost, along with podcasts.
- Member Deals. Regular 2-for-1 offers and discounted audiobooks for members. See the current Audiobooks.com deals.
- A Family Plan. Add two family members to your account, each with their own bookmarks and notes so they don’t lose your place.
- Curated booklists. I like how easy it is to find a good listen through lists like Perfect First Listens, New York Times Best Sellers and Books With Buzz.
The Audiobooks.com free trial
New members get 30 days free, with three audiobooks: one credit for any title in the full library and two picks from the VIP selection. That’s one of the most generous trials of any audiobook service.
One thing to know before you start: if you cancel during the trial, you lose access to the book you got with your free trial credit. If you want to keep it, stay a member past the first month. Otherwise, set a reminder to cancel before day 30 so you’re not charged.
Plans and prices
US prices as of November 2026.
Swipe the table to see every column.
| Plan | Price | Cost per book | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly, 1 credit | $14.95/mo | $14.95 | 1 credit a month, a monthly VIP book, free titles and Member Deals |
| Monthly, 2 or 3 credits | Varies | Less per credit | Everything above with more credits a month, for heavier listeners |
| Annual, 12 credits | $149.40/yr | About $12.45 | 12 credits for the year, about $30 less than paying monthly |
| Extra credits | As needed | — | Top up any time on the website, or use InstaCredit in the app |
Prices for the 2- and 3-credit plans change, so check your account page for the current rate before you switch.
The Audiobooks.com app
I’ve used the Audiobooks.com app on my iPhone, and it’s very good for listening. It’s well rated in the App Store, and it has everything you’d expect: offline downloads, speed control, a sleep timer, bookmarks with notes and the option to play on a nearby speaker. There are apps for iPhone and Android, and you can also listen in a web browser.
If you travel, your account still works abroad, though some titles may not be available to buy outside your home country, so download what you want before you go.
What I like and what I don’t
What I like
- Works like Audible, without Amazon
- A generous free trial with three audiobooks
- A bonus VIP book every month, plus 10,000+ free titles
- A Family Plan for two family members
- Easy-to-browse curated lists and PayPal payments
What I don’t
- No exclusives like Audible Originals
- A smaller catalog than Audible’s
- Returns go through customer service, not a button in the app
- VIP picks won’t always interest you
- Cancel during the trial and you lose your trial book
Audiobooks.com vs. Audible
Both cost $14.95 a month for a credit you keep, and both have annual plans for about $149. Audible has the bigger catalog, Audible Originals and self-serve returns, plus a cheaper $8.99 Standard plan. Audiobooks.com gives you a monthly VIP book, free titles and a Family Plan, and it isn’t owned by Amazon. Here’s my full Audiobooks.com vs. Audible comparison.
Other alternatives worth a look
- Libro.fm: credits that never expire, DRM-free files, and every purchase supports an independent bookstore.
- Chirp: no subscription, just discounted audiobooks you buy one at a time.
- Libby: free audiobooks from your local library, if you don’t mind waiting for popular titles.
See all of them side by side in my best audiobook services compared.
Audiobooks.com questions
Is Audiobooks.com worth it?
Yes, if you listen to at least one audiobook a month and want an alternative to Audible. For $14.95 a month you get a credit for any audiobook you keep, a monthly VIP book and more than 10,000 free titles. If you want the biggest selection and exclusives, Audible is still the stronger choice.
How much does Audiobooks.com cost?
$14.95 a month for one credit. There are also plans with two or three credits a month, an annual plan at $149.40 for 12 credits, and you can buy extra credits whenever you need them.
How does the Audiobooks.com free trial work?
New members get 30 days free with three audiobooks: one from the full library and two from the VIP selection. If you cancel during the trial, you lose access to the books you got with your free trial credit, so keep your membership if you want to keep them.
Do I keep my audiobooks if I cancel?
Yes, anything you bought with a credit or with cash is yours to keep. You lose access to VIP picks when you cancel.
Can I return an audiobook on Audiobooks.com?
Yes. Active members can return a book within 365 days of purchase to get their credit back by contacting customer service. Audiobooks.com can limit the number of returns.
Is Audiobooks.com legit?
Yes. Audiobooks.com has been selling audiobooks since 2011, its apps are well rated, and it carries the same big-name titles you’ll find on Audible.
Is Audiobooks.com owned by Amazon?
No. Audible is the Amazon audiobook service. Audiobooks.com is a separate company, which is one of the main reasons people choose it.
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