What an audiobook subscription gives you
An audiobook subscription is a monthly or annual payment that lets you listen to books narrated by voice actors or authors. You download or stream the titles through an app on your phone, tablet, or computer. Most subscriptions give you a set number of credits per month — typically one to two — that you exchange for any book in the catalog, regardless of price. Some services let you keep the books after your subscription ends; others lock you out once you cancel.
The main services are Audible (owned by Amazon), Scribd, Libro.fm, Audiobooks Plus, and Findaway Voices. Each has a different catalog size, pricing structure, and what happens to your library if you stop paying. Public libraries also offer free audiobooks through apps like Libby and OverDrive, though the selection is smaller and wait lists are common.
Key Takeaways
- Most audiobook subscriptions cost between $10 and $15 per month and give you one or two credits monthly to download or stream any title.
- Audible is the largest service with over 750,000 titles, but Scribd and Libro.fm offer different pricing models and library access if you want alternatives.
- If you cancel a paid subscription, you lose access to books you downloaded unless the service lets you keep them permanently — check the terms before you sign up.
- Your public library offers free audiobooks through Libby and OverDrive, with no subscription cost but longer wait times for popular titles.
- Some subscriptions include unlimited listening to a smaller catalog, while others give you monthly credits for any book — the model affects how much you actually listen.
How credits and monthly allowances work
Most paid subscriptions operate on a credit system. You pay a flat monthly fee and receive a set number of credits — usually one or two per month. You spend one credit to "buy" any audiobook in the catalog, even if it normally costs $30. Unused credits roll over for a limited time, typically three to twelve months depending on the service.
Some services, like Scribd, charge a flat fee and let you listen to unlimited books from their catalog, but the selection is smaller than Audible's. Others, like Audiobooks Plus, let you purchase individual titles without a subscription. Libro.fm works like Audible but directs a portion of your subscription fee to an independent bookstore you choose, if that matters to you.
If you finish a book before the month ends and want another, you either wait for your next credit or pay out of pocket. Most services charge $15 to $30 per additional book at full price. This matters if you listen to more than one or two books per month — you may end up spending more than the subscription costs.
Pricing and what different tiers include
Audible's standard plan costs $14.95 per month and includes one credit, access to the full catalog, and the ability to keep books you've purchased even after cancellation. A second tier, Audible Plus, costs $9.95 per month and gives unlimited listening to a smaller collection of about 10,000 titles, plus the option to buy additional books at a discount. Audible Premium Plus costs $22.95 per month and includes two credits.
Scribd costs $14.99 per month for unlimited listening to their catalog of over 1 million titles, plus access to magazines and documents. Libro.fm costs $14.99 per month for one credit, the same as Audible's base plan. Audiobooks Plus offers a $9.99 monthly subscription for one credit or a pay-as-you-go model with no subscription required.
Public library audiobooks through Libby and OverDrive are free, but you need a library card. Wait times for popular titles can be weeks or months. Some libraries offer premium tiers that cost $50 to $100 per year and give you faster access or more simultaneous checkouts.
What happens to your books if you cancel
This is the biggest difference between services and often the reason people choose one over another. On Audible, books you purchase with credits stay in your library permanently, even after you cancel. You can re-download them anytime, though you need an active Audible account to listen — you cannot transfer them to another app or device permanently.
On Scribd, you lose access to all books the moment your subscription ends. The same is true for Audiobooks Plus if you use their subscription tier. Libro.fm works like Audible: books you buy with credits stay yours. Public library apps like Libby automatically remove books from your device when the loan period ends, usually 14 to 21 days.
Before you sign up, decide whether you want to build a permanent library or if you're comfortable losing access when you stop paying. If you listen to the same books multiple times or want to own your collection, Audible or Libro.fm are better choices. If you listen once and move on, Scribd's unlimited model may save you money.
How to download, stream, and listen across devices
All major audiobook services work through an app on your phone or tablet. Audible, Scribd, and Libro.fm let you download books to your device so you can listen offline — useful if you commute on transit or travel without reliable internet. Streaming is also available if you prefer not to use storage space. Desktop apps exist for Windows and Mac, though most people listen on mobile.
Audible also works with smart speakers like Amazon Echo if you have an Alexa device. You can start a book on your phone and pick it up on your speaker, and the app tracks where you left off. Scribd and Libro.fm do not have this feature.
Audiobook apps let you adjust playback speed, set sleep timers, and bookmark passages. Most let you skip forward or backward by 15 or 30 seconds. If you switch services, you cannot transfer your library — you start over with a new account.
Free alternatives and library options
Your public library is the cheapest option if you have a library card. Libby and OverDrive are the two main apps libraries use. You search the catalog, place a hold on a book, and it becomes available to borrow for 14 to 21 days. Popular titles have long wait lists, sometimes months. Less popular books are usually available immediately.
Some libraries offer paid premium tiers through these apps — typically $50 to $100 per year — that give you more simultaneous checkouts or faster access to popular titles. Check your library's website to see what they offer. Many libraries also partner with Hoopla, which offers unlimited audiobook streaming with no wait lists, though the catalog is smaller.
If you listen to only a few books per year, the library is almost always cheaper than a subscription. If you listen to more than two or three books per month, a subscription usually costs less than waiting for library holds. Some people use both: a library card for occasional listening and a subscription for regular readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my audiobook subscription with family members?
Audible allows one account per person, but Amazon Household lets family members share purchases if they're linked to the same Amazon account. Each person needs their own Audible account to earn credits. Scribd and Libro.fm do not officially allow sharing, though they don't always detect simultaneous logins. Check the terms of service before you try.
What if I don't use my monthly credit?
On Audible, unused credits roll over for up to 12 months, so you can save them for expensive books or months when you don't listen much. On Scribd, there are no credits — you pay for unlimited access, so unused listening doesn't carry over. On Libro.fm, credits roll over for three months. If they expire, you lose them.
Can I listen to the same book on multiple devices at the same time?
Most services let you download a book to multiple devices, but you can only listen on one device at a time. If someone else in your household tries to listen to your account simultaneously, the app will stop one stream. This is why family members need separate accounts.
Do audiobook subscriptions work offline?
Yes, if you download the book first. All major services let you download titles to your phone or tablet so you can listen without internet. Streaming requires an active connection. Downloaded books take up storage space — a typical audiobook is 200 to 500 MB.
What's the difference between Audible and Libro.fm?
Both cost $14.99 per month for one credit and let you keep books after cancellation. The main difference is that Libro.fm directs a portion of your subscription to an independent bookstore you choose, supporting local businesses. Audible has a larger catalog and works with Alexa devices. If supporting independent bookstores matters to you, Libro.fm is the better choice.