Audible's current pricing and plan options

Audible offers three subscription tiers, each with a different monthly cost and audiobook allowance. As of now, the standard plan costs $14.95 per month and includes one audiobook credit per month, plus access to the Audible Plus catalog of thousands of titles you can listen to without using credits. The Premium Plus plan costs $22.95 per month and gives you two audiobook credits monthly, also with access to the Plus catalog. There is also a basic Audible Plus plan at $9.95 per month that includes only the Plus catalog — no monthly credits.

Prices vary by country and can change, so the amounts listed here may differ from what you see when you visit Audible's website. Audible occasionally runs promotional rates for new members, typically offering the first month at a reduced price or a longer trial period. These offers are temporary and reset if you cancel and rejoin later.

Beyond the monthly subscription, you can purchase additional audiobooks outside your plan using Audible Coins (the in-app currency) or by buying them outright at the listed price. Unused monthly credits roll over for up to a year on most plans, so you do not lose them if you skip a month.

Key Takeaways

  • Audible's standard plan is $14.95 per month and includes one audiobook credit and access to the Plus catalog of included titles.
  • The Premium Plus plan costs $22.95 per month and gives you two credits plus the same Plus catalog access.
  • A basic Plus-only plan exists at $9.95 per month if you want the catalog without monthly credits.
  • New member promotions often reduce the first month's cost, but prices can vary by region and change over time.
  • Unused credits carry over for up to a year, so you keep them if you do not use them in a given month.

How audiobook credits work

Each month, your subscription grants you a certain number of credits depending on your plan tier. You use a credit to "purchase" any audiobook in Audible's catalog, regardless of the book's retail price — a $5 audiobook and a $50 audiobook both cost one credit. Once you use a credit to get a book, it stays in your library permanently, even if you cancel your subscription later.

If you do not use your monthly credit, it does not disappear. Credits accumulate up to a maximum (usually 12 months' worth), so you can save them for months when you want multiple books. However, once you hit the cap, new credits stop accumulating until you spend some. You can check your credit balance and expiration dates in the Audible app under your account settings.

If you want a book that costs more than your monthly credit is worth, you can pay the difference out of pocket using Audible Coins or a credit card. Conversely, some audiobooks are included free in the Plus catalog, so you do not need to spend a credit on them.

The Audible Plus catalog and what it includes

All Audible subscription plans (except the basic Plus plan) include access to the Audible Plus catalog, a rotating collection of thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and original content that you can listen to without spending a monthly credit. The catalog changes regularly — titles are added and removed — so a book you see today might not be there next month.

The Plus catalog is separate from the main Audible library. The main library contains millions of titles, but you need a credit to "own" one. The Plus catalog is more like a lending library: you can listen to anything in it as long as your subscription is active, but you lose access if you cancel. Books you purchase with credits remain yours permanently.

The Plus catalog includes some bestsellers and popular titles, but not all new releases or high-demand books. If a specific title you want is not in the Plus catalog, you will need to use a credit or pay out of pocket to add it to your library.

Comparing Audible to other audiobook services

Scribd offers unlimited audiobook and ebook access for $14.99 per month (similar to Audible's standard price), but you do not get monthly credits — instead, you can listen to as many titles as you want from their catalog. The trade-off is that Scribd's catalog is smaller than Audible's, and some new releases appear on Audible first.

Libby (run by OverDrive) is a free app that connects to your local library card and lets you borrow audiobooks and ebooks with no subscription cost. The downside is wait times: popular titles often have queues of weeks or months. Libby works best if you are patient and have a good library system in your area.

Apple Books and Google Play Books let you buy individual audiobooks without a subscription, so you pay per book rather than a monthly fee. This approach costs more if you listen to many books per year, but it costs nothing if you listen rarely.

Cancellation and pausing your subscription

You can cancel your Audible subscription at any time through your account settings on the website or app. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle, so you keep access until that date. Any audiobooks you purchased with credits remain in your library after cancellation — you just lose access to the Plus catalog and stop receiving monthly credits.

Audible also offers the option to pause your subscription for up to three months without canceling. During a pause, you are not charged, but your subscription does not advance either. This is useful if you know you will not have time to listen for a while but want to keep your account active.

If you cancel and rejoin later, Audible treats you as a returning member, not a new one. This means you typically do not receive the promotional first-month rate again, though Audible occasionally sends special offers to lapsed members.

Family plans and sharing options

Audible does not currently offer a family plan that lets multiple people share one subscription. Each person needs their own account and subscription. However, you can share audiobooks you own (purchased with credits) with family members through Audible's sharing feature, though the exact mechanics and restrictions vary by region.

If you have an Amazon Household set up, some Audible content may be shareable through that system, but this is limited compared to sharing other types of digital content. The safest approach is to check Audible's current sharing policy on their website, since these features change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Audible for free?

Audible does not offer a free tier, but new members often receive a promotional rate for the first month (sometimes as low as $0.99 or $4.95 instead of the full price). After that, you pay the regular subscription rate. Some employers and schools offer Audible discounts to members, so check if yours does.

What happens to my books if I cancel?

Any audiobooks you purchased with monthly credits stay in your library permanently after cancellation. You lose access to the Plus catalog and stop receiving new credits, but your owned books are yours to keep and listen to anytime.

Do I have to use my credit every month?

No. Unused credits roll over and accumulate up to a maximum (usually 12 months' worth). You can use them whenever you want, or let them sit. Once you reach the cap, new credits stop adding until you spend some.

Is the Plus catalog worth it?

That depends on what you like to listen to. The Plus catalog includes thousands of titles, but it is smaller than the full Audible library and does not include all new releases. If the books you want are in the Plus catalog, you save money by using it instead of credits. If not, the Plus catalog is just a bonus.

Can I switch between plans?

Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade your plan anytime through your account settings. Changes take effect on your next billing date. If you downgrade from Premium Plus (two credits) to Standard (one credit), you keep any unused credits, but you will only receive one new credit per month going forward.