As cooler temperatures settle in and daylight fades a little earlier, it's the perfect time to queue up a great story.
Whether you're relaxing at home, commuting to work or taking an afternoon walk, audiobooks can turn everyday moments into something more entertaining.
Audible remains one of the most popular audiobook services available. The Amazon-owned platform offers access to audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals across a wide range of genres, from bestselling novels and celebrity memoirs to mystery series and self-improvement titles.
If you've been considering Audible, new subscribers can currently start with a 30-day free trial. Here's what to know about how Audible works, how much it costs and whether an Audible membership is worth
it for your listening habits.
Audible Premium Plus
Listen to thousands of audiobooks and podcasts with an Audible membership through Amazon today.
Join Audible today
What are the benefits of an Audible membership?
The biggest advantage of an Audible membership is access to a large collection of audiobooks and spoken-word content in one place.
Depending on the plan you choose, benefits may include:
- Monthly audiobook credits
- Access to the Audible Plus catalog
- Unlimited listening to included podcasts
- Member-exclusive discounts on audiobook purchases
- Access to special member sales and promotions
- The ability to listen across multiple devices
For frequent listeners, an Audible membership can be less expensive than buying new audiobooks individually, particularly for bestselling titles that often cost more than the monthly membership fee.
Get started with an Audible membership today
What can you listen to on Audible?
Audible offers access to more than 1 million titles, including audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals. Available titles vary by marketplace, but the library includes bestselling books, celebrity memoirs, full-cast productions and exclusive audio content.
Popular listens include Andy Weir's "Project Hail Mary," the full-cast editions of the "Harry Potter" series and Audible Originals such as a multi-cast adaptation of "Pride & Prejudice."
Audible also features many Oprah's Book Club selections. As part of the club's 30th anniversary celebration, Oprah Winfrey is revisiting both new picks and longtime favorites throughout September. The first spotlight title is Viola Davis' memoir, "Finding Me," which was Winfrey's 95th book club selection. The memoir explores Davis' journey through adversity, self-discovery and personal growth.
Beyond bestsellers and book club favorites, Audible partners with authors, actors and other creative professionals around the world to develop original audio content, giving subscribers access to exclusive stories, performances and productions.
How much does Audible cost?
New members can currently start with a 30-day free trial before choosing a paid plan.
Here are Audible's primary membership options:
Audible Standard
Price: $8.99 per month after the free trial
What's included:
- One selected audiobook each month
- Unlimited access to podcasts available through the service
Best for: Casual listeners who mainly want occasional audiobooks and podcast access.
Get an Audible Standard membership
Audible Premium Plus
Price: $14.95 per month after the free trial
What's included:
- One monthly credit redeemable for any audiobook
- Unlimited listening from the Audible Plus catalog
- Member-only sales and discounts
- Up to 30% off additional audiobook purchases
One notable benefit is that audiobooks redeemed with credits remain in your library even if you later cancel your subscription.
Best for: Frequent listeners who want access to new releases, bestsellers and a library of audiobooks they can keep.
Get an Audible Premium Plus membership
What's the difference between Audible Standard and Audible Premium Plus?
The biggest difference is ownership and catalog access.
With Audible Standard, members receive a more limited audiobook benefit and podcast access.
With Audible Premium Plus, members receive a monthly credit that can be used on nearly any audiobook in Audible's catalog, plus access to the Audible Plus streaming library and additional member discounts.
For readers who finish multiple books each month, Premium Plus typically provides more value.
Can you keep Audible books if you cancel?
Yes. Audiobooks redeemed or purchased through your Audible account generally remain in your library after cancellation. However, access to membership benefits, including the Audible Plus catalog and member discounts, ends once your subscription is no longer active.
Can you listen to Audible offline?
Yes. Audible titles can be downloaded through the Audible app for offline listening, making the service useful for travel, commuting and areas with limited internet access.
Downloaded titles can be accessed through the app after they have been saved to your device.
Is Audible worth it?
Whether Audible is worth it depends largely on how often you listen.
For occasional listeners, the Standard plan may provide enough content at a lower monthly cost. For avid readers who regularly purchase audiobooks, Premium Plus can offer greater value through monthly credits, discounts and access to the Plus catalog.
The current 30-day free trial also gives prospective subscribers time to test the service and determine whether it fits their listening habits before paying for a membership.
Get an Audible membership today
Can I listen to Audible books through Amazon Music Unlimited?
Yes. Amazon Music Unlimited individual plan subscribers, as well as primary account holders on a Family Plan, can listen to one audiobook per month from Audible as part of their subscription. Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers can choose one audiobook of any length and stream it at their convenience. If you haven't finished your monthly selection by the time your next billing cycle begins, you can continue listening to that title or choose a new audiobook for the month.
Listeners who want access to more than one Audible title each month can subscribe to an Audible membership, which includes additional audiobook benefits, or purchase individual audiobooks directly through the Audible app.
Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to access Audible?
No. You can create a free Amazon account to buy audiobooks at regular retail price or sign up for an Audible plan on its own. An Audible membership unlocks free streaming via the Plus Catalog and deeply discounted titles via monthly credits. Plus, Prime members can occasionally receive special trial perks, like getting 2 free audiobook credits instead of 1 when starting a free trial.
Not an Amazon Prime member yet?
Amazon Prime and Audible are separate subscriptions, but some shoppers may find value in having both.
Prime includes benefits such as fast shipping on eligible orders, access to Prime Video and other Amazon services. Eligible new members can also try Prime with a 30-day free trial through Amazon before deciding whether to continue their membership.
Amazon Prime membership
Sign up for an Amazon Prime membership to get exclusive perks and benefits all year.
Join Amazon Prime
What is Audible?
Audible is Amazon's audiobook and spoken-word entertainment service. Through the Audible app, members can listen to audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals on smartphones, tablets, computers and select smart devices.
Unlike some audiobook services that focus only on streaming, Audible also allows eligible members to use monthly credits to redeem audiobooks that remain in their personal library.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: From Oprah picks to Harry Potter, here's what Audible offers
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