Scribd is a monthly subscription service for reading and listening to books, magazines, and documents

Scribd charges a monthly fee to let you read and listen to a library of millions of books, audiobooks, magazines, sheet music, and documents. You download the Scribd app on your phone, tablet, or computer, log in with your account, and browse or search for titles. The service works on a streaming model — you pay the monthly fee and can read or listen to as much as you want during that month, but you lose access if you cancel.

Scribd does not sell books or audiobooks. You are renting access to their collection for as long as your subscription is active. The titles available change over time as publishers add and remove content. You cannot download books to keep permanently, though you can download them to read offline while your subscription is active.

Key Takeaways

  • Scribd charges one flat monthly fee for unlimited access to books, audiobooks, magazines, and documents, with no per-title cost.
  • You can read on multiple devices using the same account, but only one person can use the subscription at a time.
  • The service includes a free trial period, usually 30 days, before your first charge.
  • Canceling stops your access immediately, and you cannot get a refund for the current month once it has started.
  • Scribd works best if you read or listen regularly; occasional readers may find the monthly cost not worth it.

Current Scribd pricing and what is included

Scribd offers one subscription tier at a single monthly price. The exact amount varies by region and changes periodically, so check Scribd's website for the current rate in your country. The subscription includes unlimited access to the entire Scribd library — books, audiobooks, magazines, sheet music, and documents — with no additional charges per title or per download.

Your subscription covers one account holder. You can log in on multiple devices (phone, tablet, computer, e-reader) and switch between them, but only one person should be using the account at the same time. Sharing a login with someone else who does not live in your household violates Scribd's terms of service.

The service includes offline reading: you can download titles to your device and read them without an internet connection while your subscription is active. Once you cancel, downloaded books become unreadable.

How the free trial works

Scribd offers a free trial period before you are charged for the first time. The trial length is typically 30 days, though Scribd sometimes runs promotions with longer or shorter trial periods. During the trial, you have full access to the library and can cancel anytime without paying.

You must provide a payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal) to start the trial. Scribd will charge your payment method on the day your trial ends unless you cancel before that date. Set a reminder on your phone or calendar a few days before the trial ends if you are unsure whether you want to keep the subscription.

Canceling your subscription and refund policy

You can cancel your Scribd subscription through the app or website at any time. Log into your account, go to your subscription settings, and select the cancel option. Cancellation takes effect immediately, and you lose access to the library right away.

Scribd does not issue refunds for the current billing month once it has started, even if you cancel on the first day. If you cancel during your free trial, you will not be charged at all. If you cancel after your trial ends and your first charge has gone through, that charge is final.

Scribd versus other reading subscription services

Several other services offer similar models. Amazon's Kindle Unlimited charges a monthly fee for unlimited e-books and some audiobooks, but the selection differs from Scribd's. Apple Books+ offers a smaller library focused on Apple's catalog. Audiobooks.com and Audible focus primarily on audiobooks rather than a mix of formats. Your choice depends on what you read most — if you want magazines and sheet music alongside books, Scribd includes those; if you listen to audiobooks almost exclusively, Audible may be a better fit.

Public libraries in most areas offer free access to e-books and audiobooks through apps like Libby or OverDrive, with no monthly fee. The selection is smaller and you may wait for popular titles, but the cost is zero if you have a library card.

Who should consider Scribd and who should not

Scribd makes sense if you read or listen to books regularly — at least a few titles per month — and want access to a large, varied library without buying individual books. The monthly cost breaks even quickly if you would otherwise buy two or three books per month. The inclusion of magazines and sheet music is useful if you read those formats too.

Scribd is less practical if you read only occasionally, prefer to own books permanently, or have strong preferences for specific titles that may not be in Scribd's library. You might also skip it if you already use your library's free e-book service or if you listen to audiobooks almost exclusively and prefer Audible's selection and features.

How to start a Scribd subscription

Go to Scribd.com or download the Scribd app from your device's app store. Create an account with your email address and a password. Enter your payment method and start your free trial. Browse the library by category, search for specific titles, and start reading or listening immediately. You do not need to do anything else — your trial will convert to a paid subscription automatically when the trial period ends unless you cancel first.

If you have questions about your account or billing, Scribd's help center is available through the app and website. You can also contact their support team through the app or website if you run into technical problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Scribd account with family members?

Scribd's terms of service allow one person to use the account. Sharing your login with family members who do not live with you violates the terms. Scribd does not offer a family plan like some other services do, so each person who wants access needs their own subscription.

What happens to my books if I cancel?

Downloaded books become unreadable once your subscription ends. You lose access to the entire Scribd library immediately. If you want to keep reading a book, you would need to purchase it separately or restart your subscription.

Can I read Scribd books on my e-reader?

Scribd works on phones, tablets, and computers through the app or website. Some e-readers like Kindle do not support Scribd's app. Check Scribd's website to see which devices are compatible before you subscribe.

Is there a way to read Scribd books without paying?

The free trial gives you full access for 30 days at no cost. After that, you must pay the monthly subscription. Some libraries partner with Scribd to offer free access to cardholders, though this is not available everywhere — check with your local library.

Can I change my payment method after I subscribe?

Yes. Log into your account settings and update your payment method anytime. Changes take effect on your next billing date.