What an audiobook subscription gives you

An audiobook subscription is a monthly or annual payment that lets you listen to spoken-word books through an app on your phone, tablet, or computer. Most services work one of two ways: you either get a set number of credits each month to "buy" individual titles, or you pay a flat fee for unlimited listening from their entire catalog. The books stay in your account as long as your subscription is active — if you cancel, you lose access to them.

The main services are Audible (owned by Amazon), Scribd, Audiobooks Plus, and Libro.fm. Each has a different catalog size, pricing model, and feature set. Some let you keep a book permanently after purchase; others only let you listen while subscribed. The choice depends on how many books you listen to per month and whether you want to own titles or just access them.

Key Takeaways

  • Audible charges $14.95 per month for one credit (roughly one book) plus discounted additional purchases, while Scribd charges a flat $14.99 per month for unlimited listening from a smaller catalog.
  • Credit-based plans work best if you listen to one or two books monthly; unlimited plans work best if you listen to more than three.
  • Audiobooks Plus and Libro.fm let you own titles outright after purchase rather than renting access through a subscription.
  • Most services offer a free trial period of 7 to 30 days before charging your first payment.
  • Downloaded books typically stay on your device even if your subscription lapses, but you cannot listen to them without an active account.

Credit-based plans versus unlimited listening

Audible's standard plan gives you one credit per month, which you use to "purchase" any audiobook at any price. If you finish a book and want another before the month ends, you pay the discounted member price (usually $6 to $10 instead of the full $15 to $25). Unused credits roll over for up to 12 months. This model works well if you listen to one or two books monthly and want access to the newest releases, which tend to be expensive.

Scribd and similar unlimited services charge a flat monthly fee and let you listen to as many books as you want from their catalog. You cannot "own" the titles — once your subscription ends, you lose access. This works better if you listen to three or more books per month, because the per-book cost drops significantly. The trade-off is that newer bestsellers are often not included, and the total catalog is smaller than Audible's.

Some services, like Audiobooks Plus and Libro.fm, use a hybrid model: you buy credits that never expire, and you own the books you purchase. There is no monthly subscription fee, but you pay per book upfront. This appeals to people who listen sporadically or want to build a permanent library.

Pricing and what you actually pay

Audible's most common plan costs $14.95 per month and includes one credit. If you want two credits monthly instead, the cost rises to $22.95. Additional books beyond your monthly credits cost the member discount price, usually 20 to 50 percent off the retail price. An annual plan (paid upfront) costs $149.50 and gives you 12 credits, which works out to about $12.46 per credit if you use them all.

Scribd costs $14.99 per month for unlimited listening, with no per-book charges. Audiobooks Plus charges $9.99 per month for access to their catalog plus the ability to buy additional credits. Libro.fm, which partners with independent bookstores, charges no subscription fee but sells credits individually — typically $9.99 to $14.99 per book depending on length.

Most services offer a trial period before your first charge: Audible gives 30 days free, Scribd gives 30 days, and smaller services vary. You can cancel anytime during or after the trial without paying. Read the cancellation terms carefully — some services make it easy to cancel online, while others require you to contact customer service.

How to download and listen offline

All major audiobook apps let you download books to your device so you can listen without using data or streaming. On Audible, you tap the download button in the app, and the file saves to your phone or tablet. You can listen offline as long as your subscription is active. If you cancel, the app will eventually stop letting you play downloaded books, though the files may remain on your device.

Downloaded books typically take up 200 MB to 1 GB of storage per title, depending on length. If you listen on multiple devices — phone, tablet, car system — you can download the same book to each one. Most apps sync your listening position across devices, so you can start on your phone and pick up where you left off on your tablet.

Playback speed is adjustable on all services. You can listen at 1x, 1.25x, 1.5x, or 2x speed. Faster speeds let you get through books quicker but can make narration sound rushed. Many listeners use 1.25x as a middle ground.

Catalog size and what books are available

Audible has the largest catalog, with over 750,000 titles including new releases, classics, self-help, fiction, and nonfiction. Nearly every book published in the last decade is available. Scribd has roughly 500,000 audiobooks plus access to ebooks, magazines, and podcasts, but newer bestsellers are sometimes delayed or excluded. Audiobooks Plus and Libro.fm have smaller catalogs (around 100,000 to 200,000 titles) but focus on backlist and independent titles.

If you listen to a lot of new fiction or bestselling nonfiction, Audible is usually the only service that guarantees availability. If you read more widely — classics, backlist, indie authors — the smaller services may have what you want at lower cost. Check whether a specific book you want is available before committing to a service.

Family sharing and multiple listeners

Audible lets you create a household account and share your subscription with up to five family members. Each person gets their own library and listening history, and you all share the same monthly credits. If you have two credits per month, the household can use both on different books or the same person can use both.

Scribd does not officially allow account sharing, though the app does not prevent multiple people from using the same login. If you share credentials, you all see the same library and listening history. For families, Audible's household feature is the cleaner option.

Canceling and what happens to your books

Canceling an Audible subscription is straightforward: log into your account online, go to account settings, and select "Cancel Membership." You can cancel anytime, even during a free trial. Your books stay in your library, but you cannot listen to them once the subscription ends. If you resubscribe later, your library is still there.

With Scribd and unlimited services, cancellation works the same way — you lose access to all books immediately. With credit-based services like Audiobooks Plus, you keep any books you have purchased outright; you just cannot buy new ones without credits.

If you bought a book on Audible using a credit and later cancel, you do not get the credit back. The purchase is final. Some people keep a subscription active just to retain access to books they have already "bought," which is worth considering if you have a large library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I listen to the same audiobook on multiple devices at the same time?

Most services allow you to stream on one device at a time with a single account. If you try to listen on two devices simultaneously, the app on one of them will pause or stop. Audible's household feature lets multiple family members listen at the same time on different accounts.

What happens if I download a book and then cancel my subscription?

The downloaded file stays on your device, but the app will not let you play it. The app checks your subscription status each time you try to listen. If you resubscribe later, you can listen to downloaded books again without re-downloading them.

Do I have to use the official app, or can I listen through other apps?

Audible books are locked to the Audible app or Amazon devices. Scribd and some other services work with third-party apps like Libby or OverDrive, but most require their own app. Check the service's website to see which apps are supported.

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

Audible allows you to return one book per year if you are unsatisfied, and your credit is restored. After that, returns are at the company's discretion. Other services have different policies — check before purchasing.

Is there a way to listen to audiobooks without paying a subscription?

Your local library often offers free audiobooks through apps like Libby, OverDrive, or Hoopla. You need a library card, and the selection is smaller than paid services, but it costs nothing. Many libraries also have physical audiobook CDs you can borrow.