What Audible is and who runs it

Audible is a subscription service owned by Amazon that lets you listen to audiobooks, podcasts, and other audio content on your phone, tablet, or computer. You pay a monthly fee and get access to a library of titles. Audible is not free — you choose a plan, pay upfront each month, and can cancel anytime.

Audible operates differently from a library. You do not borrow books for a set time and return them. Instead, you own the audiobooks you purchase with your subscription credits or buy outright. If you cancel your subscription, you keep the books you bought but lose access to the subscription features and any unspent credits.

Amazon acquired Audible in 2008 and operates it as a separate service, though your Amazon account can be linked to it. Audible has millions of titles in English and other languages, including bestsellers, classics, self-help, fiction, and non-fiction.

Key Takeaways

  • Audible charges a monthly subscription fee that varies by plan, typically between $10 and $15 per month in the United States.
  • Most plans include one or more monthly credits you can use to buy audiobooks at full price, plus access to a rotating selection of free titles.
  • You own the audiobooks you purchase with credits or money; canceling your subscription does not delete them from your library.
  • Audible offers a free trial period, usually 30 days, so you can test the service before committing to a paid plan.
  • You can listen on any device with the Audible app or through a web browser, and the service syncs your progress across devices.

Audible subscription plans and what they include

Audible offers several subscription tiers. The most common is the standard monthly plan, which costs a set amount per month and includes one credit per month. A credit lets you purchase any audiobook at full price, regardless of its actual cost — a $50 audiobook and a $10 one both cost one credit. Once you use your credit, additional audiobooks cost their listed price.

Audible also offers annual plans, which cost more upfront but spread the cost over 12 months and sometimes include more credits per year than the monthly equivalent. Some plans include access to Audible Plus, a catalog of included titles you can listen to without spending credits — similar to a streaming service, though the catalog is smaller than the full Audible library.

Prices and plan details change periodically. New subscribers often see promotional rates for the first few months. You can view current plans and pricing on Audible's website or through the app. If you have an Amazon Prime membership, check whether Audible offers any bundled options.

How credits work and what happens when you run out

Each month your subscription renews, you receive the number of credits included in your plan — usually one. Credits do not roll over; if you do not use this month's credit by the time next month arrives, you lose it. This is a deliberate design: Audible wants you to use your credit regularly so you keep buying books.

If you want to buy an audiobook but have no credits left, you pay the full listed price. Audiobook prices vary widely, from $5 to $50 or more depending on length and publisher. You can also return an audiobook within 30 days of purchase and get your credit or money back, which lets you try a book and swap it if you do not like it.

Some subscribers pause their subscription temporarily to avoid losing unused credits. Audible allows pauses for up to three months at a time, which stops your billing but also stops your credits from accumulating. This is useful if you have a backlog of unheard books.

Canceling your subscription and keeping your books

You can cancel your Audible subscription anytime through your account settings on the website or app. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period — if you cancel mid-month, you keep access until your next renewal date would have occurred.

When you cancel, you do not lose the audiobooks you have purchased. They remain in your library permanently and you can listen to them as long as you have the Audible app or access to your account. You lose access to any unspent credits and to the Audible Plus catalog (if your plan included it), but the books themselves are yours.

If you want to return to Audible later, you can reactivate your account. Audible sometimes offers reactivation discounts to former subscribers. Your library and purchase history remain intact.

How to listen and sync across devices

Audible works on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart speakers. You download the free Audible app on iOS or Android, or listen through the web player on a computer. The app stores your progress — if you listen to a chapter on your phone during your commute, you can pick up where you left off on your tablet at home.

You can also listen through Amazon devices like Echo speakers if you link your Audible account to your Amazon account. Some car systems and smartwatches support Audible playback as well. The app lets you adjust playback speed, set sleep timers, and bookmark passages.

Audible tracks your listening history and offers recommendations based on what you have heard. You can share your library with family members through Amazon Household, though each person needs their own Audible account to listen.

Comparing Audible to other audiobook services

Audible is the largest audiobook subscription service by catalog size and subscriber count, but it is not the only option. Scribd offers audiobooks and ebooks in one subscription. Libro.fm is a smaller service that pays independent bookstores a portion of subscription fees. Spotify and Apple Music include some audiobooks alongside music. Your local library may also offer free audiobook borrowing through apps like Libby or OverDrive.

The choice depends on what you value: Audible has the biggest selection and most features, but costs more. Library apps are free but have shorter borrowing windows and wait lists. Scribd bundles books and audiobooks but has a smaller audiobook catalog than Audible. Libro.fm appeals to people who want to support independent bookstores.

If you listen to a lot of audiobooks, Audible's credit system often works out cheaper than buying individual titles at full price. If you listen occasionally, a library app or a smaller paid service might save you money.

Free trial and how to start

Audible offers a free trial, typically 30 days, that includes one free credit. During the trial you can listen to any audiobook in the catalog and keep it even if you cancel before the trial ends. You do need to provide a payment method to start the trial, and your subscription will begin charging after the trial period unless you cancel.

To start, visit Audible's website or download the app, create an account (or use your Amazon login), and choose a plan. You will be asked for a payment method. Set a reminder to cancel before your trial ends if you decide the service is not for you — Audible does not send automatic reminders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my books if I cancel my subscription?

You keep all the audiobooks you purchased with credits or money. They stay in your library permanently. You lose access to any unspent credits and to the Audible Plus catalog, but the books themselves are yours to listen to anytime.

Can I share my Audible account with family members?

You can link your Audible account to Amazon Household, which lets family members see your library. However, each person needs their own Audible account and subscription to listen. Audible does not offer a family plan that covers multiple listeners under one subscription.

Do I lose my credit if I do not use it each month?

Yes. Monthly credits expire at the end of each billing cycle and do not roll over. If you have a backlog of books, you can pause your subscription for up to three months to stop your credits from expiring while you catch up.

Can I return an audiobook if I do not like it?

Yes. Audible allows you to return any audiobook within 30 days of purchase and get your credit or money back. You can return the same title multiple times, though Audible may flag your account if you return too many books.

Is Audible cheaper than buying audiobooks outright?

It depends on how many books you listen to. If you listen to one or more audiobooks per month, the subscription credit usually costs less than buying each book individually. If you listen to fewer than one book per month, buying individual titles or using your library might be cheaper.