Does Amazon Prime Include Audible? (Not What You Think..)

As someone who loves books, you may be wondering – does my Amazon Prime membership give me access to all of Audible too?

It‘s an understandable question since both services come from Amazon. But the answer isn‘t so simple.

The short answer is: no, Amazon Prime does not include full access to all Audible audiobooks and features.

However, as a Prime member you do get some limited audiobook perks as well as exclusive deals on Audible subscriptions.

This can get confusing, so let me break it down for you in detail as a fellow bookworm!

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover:

• What is Audible and what‘s included with a membership
• The limited audiobook access Prime members do get
• Special Audible deals and trials only for Prime members
• Whether it‘s worth getting both Prime and Audible
• Step-by-step instructions for subscribing to Audible as a Prime member
• Answers to frequently asked questions about Prime and Audible

Let‘s dive in!

What is Audible and What‘s Included in a Membership?

Audible is Amazon‘s audiobook subscription service that gives you access to thousands of audiobooks, original audio shows, and other audio content.

It‘s like getting unlimited streaming access to audiobooks – think Spotify, but for spoken books and content instead of music.

With an Audible membership, you can:

• Get 1-2 audiobook credits per month to redeem for premium audiobook titles
• Access the Audible Plus catalog of thousands of audiobooks at no extra cost
• Stream or download to listen across devices like your phone, tablet, Alexa, and more
• Easily manage your library and queue in the Audible app
• Cancel anytime with Audible‘s 30-day cancellation policy

It‘s a book lover‘s dream – imagine having instant access to virtually any bestselling audiobook whenever you want.

Audible offers a few membership options:

• Basic ($14.95/month): 1 credit per month
• Premium Plus ($22.95/month): 2 credits per month
• Annual ($149.50/year): 12 credits upfront
• Student ($9.95/month): 1 credit per month

Credits can be redeemed for almost any audiobook title – from new releases to timeless classics.

Plus you get access to the expansive Audible Plus catalog. This lets you listen to thousands of audiobooks, originals, and podcasts on-demand without needing to use credits.

According to Audible, they offer over 475,000 audiobook titles across genres, lengths, languages, and more.

So in essence, an Audible membership gives you:

• Credits to get premium audiobooks
• Unlimited access to a huge catalog of audiobooks
• Across any device – phone, tablet, computer, Alexa

This makes it super convenient for book lovers to listen anytime, anywhere. No wonder Audible has millions of subscribers!

Now you may be wondering…

What Free Audiobook Access Do Amazon Prime Members Get?

While a Prime membership doesn‘t give you everything an Audible membership does, you do get some limited audiobook access included.

Let‘s look at what audiobook perks you can take advantage of just with Prime:

Free Audiobooks Through Prime Reading

Prime Reading is a lesser-known Prime member benefit that rotates through over a thousand ebooks, magazines, comics, and audiobooks.

The selection of free Prime Reading audiobooks changes regularly. But there are typically 200-300 audiobooks available at any time for unlimited streaming at no extra cost.

As a Prime member, you can browse Prime Reading in your Amazon account and listen to many audiobooks completely free as part of the program.

It‘s not nearly the selection Audible offers, but it‘s an easy way to access some audiobooks as a Prime member.

Alexa Can Read Select Kindle Books Aloud

If you have an Alexa device like an Echo or Echo Dot, you can ask Alexa to read aloud certain Kindle books at no cost.

For example, you could say "Alexa, read [name of public domain book]" and Alexa will start reading the book from Audible.

Again, this only works for a limited number of books – mainly classics and public domain titles available for free on Kindle. But it‘s a neat hands-free way to listen.

Perks for Fire Tablet Owners

Finally, Prime members who own Amazon Fire tablets get a few extra audiobook-related features:

• Access to Prime Reading audiobooks right on their Fire tablet
• Special "For You" deals for discounted Audible audiobooks
• Option to add narration to Kindle books for cheap

So in summary:

• You can get some audiobooks for free through Prime Reading
• Alexa can read a small number of Kindle books aloud on command
• Fire tablet owners get extra deals on Audible books

It‘s not unlimited access to all of Audible by any means. But Prime does come with some nice audiobook perks.

What Exclusive Audible Deals Do Prime Members Get?

Now, in addition to those free audiobook perks, Prime members can take advantage of special deals and extended free trials for Audible.

These Prime-exclusive Audible promotions let you sample the service and dip your toes in the Audible waters for cheap or free.

Some current examples of popular Audible deals for Prime members include:

• 60-Day Free Trial – Get 2 free audiobooks and 60 days of Audible access
• First 3 Months for $4.95/month – Try Audible for 90 days at a huge discount
• 2-for-1 Audiobook Credits – Prime-only deal to get 2 books for 1 credit

Amazon also offers time-limited Prime-exclusive deals around major shopping holidays:

• Prime Day Audible Deals – Deals on subscriptions, credits, and devices
• Black Friday/Cyber Monday – More big Audible discounts

So while Prime itself doesn‘t include full Audible access, you can frequently find amazing Audible trials and discounts as a Prime member.

This makes it very easy and affordable to try Audible risk-free for a period of time.

But after the trial ends, you‘ll have to pay full price for an Audible membership. The deals are only for a limited promotional period.

Is It Worth Getting Both Amazon Prime and Audible?

At this point, you may be wondering:

Should I get both Amazon Prime and Audible if I love books and convenience?

It‘s a great question – let‘s explore the key pros and cons:

Pros of Having Both Prime and Audible

For the Book Obsessed

Together Prime + Audible grant you access to the most extensive selection of ebooks and audiobooks imaginable. For voracious readers, it‘s a dream combo!

You can switch seamlessly between reading Kindle books and listening to Audible audiobooks through your Amazon account. It‘s a book lover‘s paradise.

For Busy People Seeking Convenience

Between Prime fast shipping and Audible‘s massive on-demand catalog, these services offer unbeatable convenience.

No more trips to the bookstore or library – Prime and Audible bring the books to you instantly!

For Smart Shoppers

Prime members can access special Audible deals. And Prime‘s free expedited shipping applies for physical audiobook CD orders too!

So you can save money and get faster delivery on all your audiobook purchases when you have both.

Cons of Having Both Prime and Audible

Potential to Overspend

Having two paid subscriptions can add up quickly, especially if you don‘t use every benefit frequently.

Without cautious budgeting, these services can lead to "subscription creep".

Feature Overlap

There is definitely some redundancy between Prime Reading and Audible. You don‘t necessarily need both to get audiobooks.

For some people, Prime Reading may provide enough free audiobook access on its own.

Not Every Feature May Get Used

Both Prime and Audible offer a ton of perks. So chances are you won‘t use every single feature even if paying for them.

For example, maybe you don‘t watch Prime Video or listen to Audible podcasts. That‘s wasted value for you!

So in summary:

For hardcore bookworms who want unlimited access and convenience, Prime + Audible is likely worth the price.

But more casual users may find it‘s overkill for their needs if they don‘t take full advantage of every perk.

It comes down to evaluating your specific reading and listening habits.

Next, let‘s look at how to sign up for Audible if you‘re ready to give it a try!

Step-By-Step: How to Subscribe to Audible as a Prime Member

Ready to dive into the world of virtually unlimited audiobooks through Audible? Here is a step-by-step walkthrough for Prime members:

1. Sign Into Your Amazon Account

First, head to Amazon and make sure you are signed into the same account that your Prime membership is on.

This ensures you are eligible for the Prime-exclusive Audible deals.

2. Navigate to the Audible Signup Page

You have two options to reach the Audible signup page:

• Option 1: Go to Amazon‘s main Audible portal directly at audible.com/amazon

• Option 2: Click "Try Audible" in the top navigation bar of any Amazon page

This will take you to the same Audible signup flow either way.

3. Select an Audible Trial Offer

You should see exclusive Prime member deals for Audible like "First 3 months for $4.95".

Choose whichever discounted trial catch your eye – often these offer 2-3 free audiobook credits too!

4. Create Your Audible Account

If it‘s your first time accepting an Audible offer through Amazon, you‘ll need to create an Audible account.

Enter your payment details – don‘t worry, you won‘t get charged until the trial ends!

5. Start Listening!

You‘re all set! You can now browse the Audible Plus catalog and use your free credits to download premium audiobooks.

Explore popular titles, bestsellers, recommendations just for you, and more.

Happy listening! Be sure to cancel before the trial ends if you don‘t want to continue the paid membership.

And that‘s it! Following those steps allows you to access Audible as a Prime member and take advantage of exclusive savings.

Now let‘s look at some frequently asked questions about Audible and Prime:

Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon Prime and Audible

Do you need an Amazon Prime membership to use Audible?

Nope, you don‘t need Prime to use or subscribe to Audible. Anyone can create an Audible account directly on Audible‘s website without being a Prime member.

However, Prime members get access to special Audible promotions and discounts. So there are some membership perks if you have Prime, but it is not required.

Can I get Audible books on my Kindle?

Unfortunately, Audible audiobooks cannot be played directly through the Kindle ereaders or Kindle reading apps.

You can access some audiobooks on Kindles through Prime Reading. But most Audible titles require using the Audible app.

The exception is Kindle Fire tablets, which support the Audible app. So you can listen to Audible books on a Fire, just not regular Kindle ereaders.

How many devices can I use Audible on at once?

Luckily, your Audible membership allows you to have Audible books downloaded and playing on up to three supported devices simultaneously.

For example, you could have a book playing on your iPhone, iPad, and Alexa speaker all at the same time with no issues!

Can I return Audible books?

Within seven days of purchasing an Audible book, you can return it in your Audible library for a full refund. This policy applies to books bought with Audible credits.

For Audible Plus catalog titles, there is no time limit on returning since they are free with your membership.

So you have quite a bit of flexibility to "return" books you aren‘t enjoying!

Where do I cancel Audible or Prime if I don‘t want to renew?

You can cancel Audible or Prime anytime in your Amazon account under "Memberships & Subscriptions".

For Audible, be sure to cancel before your free trial ends if you don‘t want to be charged.

For Prime, you can cancel anytime but will retain benefits until the renewal date. So no rush to cancel Prime right away if still using it.

Can I pay for Audible monthly instead of buying an annual plan?

Yes, Audible offers the option to pay month-to-month instead of a long annual contract.

The monthly Basic plan is $14.95, or you can upgrade to Premium Plus for $22.95/month. This offers more flexibility if you aren‘t sure you want to commit for a full year.

The key things to remember are:

• You don‘t need Prime to use Audible, but Prime members get special deals
• Audible allows unlimited streaming from a huge catalog of audiobooks
• With Prime, you get access to a limited number of free audiobooks
• Consider your reading habits to decide if Prime, Audible, or both are worth it!

Hopefully this guide cleared up any confusion around what access to Audible you get as an Amazon Prime member. Let me know if you have any other questions!