Is Amazon Audible Worth It? An In-Depth Look

Are you an avid reader looking to get more books in during your busy day? Audiobooks can be a great way to consume literature while multitasking. And when it comes to audiobooks, Amazon‘s Audible is one of the biggest players in the game. But is it worth subscribing to? Let‘s take a comprehensive look at what Audible brings to the table.

What is Audible?

Audible is Amazon‘s audiobook and podcast subscription service. For a monthly fee, members get access to a vast library of audiobook content that they can listen to through the Audible app on a variety of devices. You can also purchase audiobooks a la carte without a membership.

Some key features of Audible include:

• Catalog of 200,000+ audiobooks
• Exclusive audio content like Audible Originals not available elsewhere
• 30% discount on additional premium title purchases for members
• Syncs across devices – pick up where you left off seamlessly
• Adjustable narration speed (0.5x-3x)
• Integration with Amazon‘s Whispersync to sync audiobooks with Kindle ebooks

Benefits of Audible

There are a lot of compelling reasons to give Audible a try, especially if you‘re already tapped into the Amazon ecosystem. Let‘s look at some of the top benefits:

Huge Audiobook Selection

One of Audible‘s biggest selling points is the sheer size of its audiobook library. At over 200,000 titles, it has one of the most comprehensive collections you‘ll find. From new releases and bestsellers to niche topics and classics, Audible likely has what you‘re looking for. Audible is also the exclusive home to certain audio content like "Audible Originals".

Ease of Use

The Audible app makes it simple to access and enjoy audiobooks across your devices. Whether you prefer to listen on your phone, tablet, computer, Alexa-enabled device, or even some Kindles, Audible has you covered. The app keeps your place synced, so you can easily switch between devices without losing your spot. You can also adjust the narration speed to suit your preference.

Amazon Integration

If you‘re already an Amazon customer, Audible slots nicely into that ecosystem. Your Amazon account is your Audible login, and your payment methods carry over. There are also extra perks for Prime members, like free access to a rotating selection of 50+ Audible titles.
Another cool Amazon integration is Whispersync, which lets you switch between reading a Kindle ebook and listening to the Audible audiobook without losing your place. It‘s great for when you want to continue a story but need to give your eyes a rest. Keep in mind that you‘ll need to own both the ebook and audiobook for this feature to work.

Offline Listening

You don‘t need a constant internet connection to enjoy Audible. As long as you download your audiobooks in advance, you can listen anywhere, whether on a flight, subway commute, or remote camping trip.

Potential Drawbacks

While Audible has a lot going for it, there are some factors that could be downsides depending on your preferences and consumption habits:

Subscription Cost

To get the most out of Audible, you‘ll need to pay a recurring subscription fee of either $7.95/month (for Audible Plus) or $14.95/month (for Audible Premium Plus). While this does give you access to a lot of content, it‘s an ongoing expense that can add up over time, especially if you go through periods of not using it much.

Credits for Newer Titles

With a Premium Plus membership, you get 1 credit a month to redeem for any premium selection title. However, if you want to access a hot new release or bestseller beyond that monthly credit, you‘ll need to pony up for more credits at about $10-14 each. Compared to other media subscriptions like Netflix that include new additions for no extra charge, this credit system can feel limiting.

Ebook Ownership for Whispersync

To take full advantage of the Whispersync integration with Kindle, you need to own both the audiobook and ebook version of a given title. So if you want to smoothly go between reading and listening, that‘s an additional expense on top of your Audible subscription unless you happened to already own the Kindle book.

Not Ideal for Some Learning Styles

For certain people (myself included), retaining information from audiobooks can be a challenge compared to reading text, especially if you‘re multitasking while listening. If you find yourself zoning out or struggling to follow along with audio, Audible may not be the best fit for you. It‘s a very individual thing.

Non-English Title Selection

While Audible‘s English-language offerings are robust, the selection gets much slimmer for other languages. You‘ll find some non-English popular titles and classics, but if you primarily read in another language, Audible likely won‘t have enough to justify a subscription.

Amazon Originals Focus

Like with its Prime Video and Music services, Amazon has been increasingly using Audible to promote its own original content. While much of it is high quality, some may dislike the push towards "Audible Exclusives" over other publishers‘ titles. If your tastes run a little more obscure, just be aware that Audible‘s catalog may be a bit skewed towards Amazon‘s own offerings.

How Audible Compares to Competitors

Of course, Audible isn‘t the only audiobook subscription service out there. Let‘s see how it stacks up against a few of its main competitors:

Audiobooks.com

Audiobooks.com has a very similar model to Audible – a monthly subscription fee that includes 1 premium book credit. One unique feature is its "VIP Rewards" program where you can redeem your monthly credit for access to a curated club of books to listen to for free in a given month. The audiobook selection is comparable to Audible‘s in size.

Scribd

For $11.99/month, Scribd gives you unlimited access to a library that includes both audiobooks and ebooks. So if you like to go back and forth between reading and listening, this is a more cost-effective way to do that vs. Audible‘s separate charges. The tradeoff is a smaller overall selection, but it does include many popular titles and new releases on the audio side.

Libro.fm

If supporting local bookstores is a priority for you, Libro.fm is worth a look. It has a very similar model and price point to Audible, but a portion of your monthly payment goes to an independent bookstore of your choice. There are no Kindle or Amazon integrations, but the audiobook app experience is solid and the selection is comparable.

Audiobook Ownership

One important thing to understand is that with Audible and other digital audiobook services, you‘re not actually purchasing the book outright. What you‘re paying for is a license to access the content, which the provider can theoretically revoke down the line.

In practice, Audible audiobooks are yours to keep and relisten to forever once you‘ve redeemed a credit for them, even if you cancel your subscription. Just be aware that you‘re technically at the mercy of their terms of service and licensing agreements, as is the case with most digital media.

The Bottom Line

So when all is said and done, is Audible worth it? If you‘re an avid audiobook listener, it‘s definitely one of the best and most comprehensive options out there. The massive selection, cross-device sync, and Amazon integrations make it a joy to use for casual and power listeners alike. You‘d be hard-pressed to run out of things to listen to with an Audible subscription.

However, the costs can add up over time, especially if you‘re looking to supplement your Audible listening with matching Kindle books or additional premium titles beyond your monthly credit. And if you‘re not great at absorbing information via audio, you may find yourself paying for a service you‘re not getting a ton of value out of.

Since so much comes down to individual preferences and lifestyle, it‘s worth trying out a few different options to see what fits best for you. Most services, including Audible, offer a 30-day free trial, so you can see how much use you actually get out of it before committing to a recurring payment.

But if you love listening to books, have a long commute or lots of multitasking time, and are already living in the Amazon universe, Audible is absolutely worth consideration. It‘s the most prominent player in the audiobook space for a reason – it offers a best-in-class listening experience with a catalog that‘s hard to top. Happy listening!