Audible Plus Vs Audible Premium Plus Comparison
Audiobooks have become a popular way to enjoy books, stories, and podcasts without reading a single page. Audible, owned by Amazon, is the leader in this space. But if you’re thinking about joining, you’ll face a choice: Audible Plus or Audible Premium Plus? Each plan offers a different listening experience, pricing, and perks. If you’re unsure which to pick, this guide will help you decide.
You’ll discover how these two Audible subscriptions work, what you get, and which plan suits your needs. We’ll cover everything from costs and features to selection and user experience. You’ll also see real-world examples, tips, and comparisons that go beyond the basics.
By the end, you’ll be able to choose confidently.
Understanding Audible: The Basics
Before comparing the two plans, it’s helpful to know what Audible is. Audible is a service that lets you listen to audiobooks, podcasts, and other audio content. The app works on smartphones, tablets, computers, and smart speakers. You can listen online or download files to enjoy offline.
Audible offers two main subscription plans:
- Audible Plus: The entry-level plan, with access to a selection of content.
- Audible Premium Plus: The higher-tier plan, with more features and credits for buying audiobooks.
Both plans are available in the US and many other countries.
Audible Plus: What You Get
Audible Plus is the simpler, more affordable plan. It’s designed for listeners who enjoy a wide range of content and don’t need to own audiobooks permanently.
Key Features
- Unlimited streaming: Listen to thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals from the Plus catalog. You don’t pay extra for each title.
- Offline listening: Download titles to your device and listen anytime, even without internet.
- No credits: You don’t receive monthly credits to buy audiobooks.
- No discounts: You don’t get member discounts on purchases.
- Ad-free experience: The catalog is free from ads.
- Cancel anytime: Your subscription is flexible.
Content Selection
Audible Plus gives access to the Plus Catalog, which includes:
- More than 12,000 titles (as of 2024)
- Podcasts, including exclusive Audible Originals
- Documentaries and audio shows
- Self-help and wellness content
The selection is updated often, but it’s more limited than Audible’s full library.
Price
As of mid-2024, Audible Plus costs $7.95 per month in the US. No extra fees.
Who Is It For?
- Listeners who enjoy exploring new content.
- Those who don’t need to own audiobooks forever.
- People who prefer podcasts, short stories, and original audio.
Audible Premium Plus: What You Get
Audible Premium Plus is the full-featured plan for serious audiobook fans. It offers everything in Plus, plus more.
Key Features
- One credit per month (or two, for family plans): Each credit lets you buy any audiobook from Audible’s full library. You own it forever.
- Unlimited streaming: Access everything in the Plus Catalog.
- Member discounts: Get up to 30% off additional audiobooks.
- Exclusive sales and offers: Regular deals for members.
- Offline listening: Download any purchased book or Plus Catalog title.
- Roll-over credits: Unused credits roll over for up to one year.
- Cancel anytime: Flexible subscription.
Content Selection
Premium Plus unlocks the entire Audible library:
- Over 600,000 audiobooks (as of 2024)
- Best-sellers and new releases
- Classics and niche genres
- Celebrity-narrated titles
- Everything in the Plus Catalog
Price
Audible Premium Plus costs $14.95 per month in the US. Family plans (two credits per month) cost $22.95.
Who Is It For?
- Listeners who want to own their audiobooks.
- Fans of best-sellers and new releases.
- People who buy more than one book a month.
- Those who value discounts and exclusive offers.
Audible Plus Vs Audible Premium Plus: Feature Comparison
Let’s see how the two plans stack up side by side.
| Feature | Audible Plus | Audible Premium Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $7.95 | $14.95 |
| Monthly Credits | None | 1 (or 2 for family) |
| Catalog Access | Plus Catalog | Full Audible Library + Plus Catalog |
| Own Audiobooks | No | Yes |
| Member Discounts | No | Up to 30% off |
| Exclusive Offers | No | Yes |
| Offline Listening | Yes | Yes |
| Roll-over Credits | No | Yes, up to 12 months |
Comparing Content: Catalog And Selection
Audible Plus and Premium Plus differ most in content access.
Audible Plus Catalog
- About 12,000 titles
- Mix of genres, mostly Audible Originals, podcasts, wellness, and short books
- Many exclusive audio shows
Premium Plus Library
- Over 600,000 audiobooks
- Full range: Fiction, nonfiction, self-help, history, business, children’s books
- Includes new releases and top best-sellers
- Wide selection of narrators and languages
Real-world Example
Suppose you want to listen to “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, a popular self-help book. It’s usually not in the Plus Catalog. With Premium Plus, you use your credit to buy it and keep it forever. With Plus, you can only listen if it’s in the catalog, which is rare for top sellers.
Ownership: Do You Keep Your Books?
A major difference is ownership. With Audible Premium Plus, every audiobook you buy with a credit (or pay for) is yours, even after you leave Audible.
With Audible Plus, you’re only renting content. When you cancel, you lose access to everything.
Why Ownership Matters
- You can build a personal library.
- You keep your books forever.
- You can re-listen anytime, even after leaving Audible.
This is useful for people who collect audiobooks or want to re-listen years later.
Listening Experience: App And Features
Both plans use the same Audible app. Features include:
- Bookmarks: Mark favorite parts of a book.
- Sleep timer: Stop playback after a set time.
- Speed control: Listen faster or slower.
- Car mode: Easy controls for driving.
- Sync across devices: Continue where you left off.
Premium Plus members get extra perks, like exclusive offers and easier access to new releases.
Price And Value: Is Premium Plus Worth It?
The main question: Is Audible Premium Plus worth the extra money?
Comparing Value
| Plan | Monthly Price | Content Access | Value for Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audible Plus | $7.95 | Plus Catalog | Good for light listeners |
| Premium Plus | $14.95 | Full Library + Plus Catalog | Best for frequent listeners & collectors |
How Many Books Can You Listen To?
- With Plus: Unlimited from the Plus Catalog, but with a limited selection.
- With Premium Plus: One book per month (with credit) from the full library, plus unlimited from the Plus Catalog.
If you want to listen to one best-seller per month, Premium Plus is often cheaper than buying the audiobook outright (most audiobooks cost $20–$40).
Member Discounts And Sales
Premium Plus offers exclusive discounts. Members can buy extra audiobooks for up to 30% off. Audible also runs sales, like “2 for 1” deals or big discounts on popular books.
Audible Plus does not offer these perks.
Example
If you buy three audiobooks per month:
- With Premium Plus: One free with your credit, two at a discount.
- With Plus: You pay full price for any book outside the catalog.
For heavy listeners, Premium Plus can save money.
Credits: How They Work
Credits are a big part of Premium Plus. Each month, you get one (or two) credits. They let you buy any audiobook, regardless of price.
Rules For Credits
- Unused credits roll over for up to 12 months.
- Credits expire if unused.
- You can use credits to buy any audiobook, even expensive ones.
- Credits are not used for Plus Catalog titles.
Practical Tips
- Use credits for expensive audiobooks (some are over $40).
- Don’t waste credits on cheap books (buy those with the member discount).
- Track your credits so you don’t lose them.
Audible Originals And Podcasts
Both plans include Audible Originals — exclusive audio shows, dramas, and podcasts. These are often high-quality productions with famous actors.
- Plus Catalog has dozens of originals.
- Premium Plus unlocks even more, including new releases.
If you enjoy podcasts and unique audio, both plans are strong.
Family Plans And Sharing
Premium Plus offers a family plan with two credits per month. You can use these credits for two books or share with a family member.
- Family plans cost $22.95 per month.
- Audible allows you to share audiobooks through Amazon Household (up to two adults).
Audible Plus doesn’t offer family plans.
Trial Period And Cancellation
Both plans offer a 30-day free trial. You can explore the catalog, listen to audiobooks, and see which plan fits you.
- You can cancel anytime.
- If you cancel Premium Plus, you keep all purchased audiobooks.
- If you cancel Plus, you lose access to everything.
User Reviews And Satisfaction
Audible has over 200,000 reviews on the Apple App Store, with an average rating of 4.8/5. Most users praise the selection, app features, and quality narration.
- Premium Plus users are happiest with ownership and discounts.
- Plus users like unlimited listening, but wish for more best-sellers.
Real-world Scenarios: Which Plan Is Right For You?
Let’s look at some common situations:
Scenario 1: Casual Listener
- Listens to podcasts and short stories
- Doesn’t care about owning books
- Wants low monthly cost
Audible Plus is ideal here.
Scenario 2: Frequent Audiobook Fan
- Listens to one or more best-sellers per month
- Likes to collect audiobooks
- Wants discounts and deals
Audible Premium Plus is better.
Scenario 3: Family Sharing
- Two listeners, each wants a book per month
- Likes sharing audiobooks
Premium Plus Family Plan is the best fit.
Scenario 4: Podcast Lover
- Only listens to podcasts and Audible Originals
Both plans work, but Plus is cheaper.
Hidden Insights: What Beginners Miss
Many new users don’t realize:
- Not all audiobooks are in the Plus Catalog. Top titles and new releases are usually only available to Premium Plus members.
- Credits are more valuable for expensive books. If you use credits for cheap audiobooks, you lose money compared to buying them at a discount.
- Member sales happen often. Premium Plus members get regular deals, sometimes saving 50% or more.
- Audible Originals are unique. Some stories, dramas, and podcasts can’t be found anywhere else.
- Ownership is permanent with Premium Plus. Even after canceling, your library stays.
Audible Plus Vs Premium Plus: Pros And Cons
Let’s break down strengths and weaknesses.
Audible Plus
Pros:
- Affordable monthly price
- Unlimited streaming from Plus Catalog
- Good for light listeners and podcast lovers
Cons:
- Limited selection (no best-sellers)
- No ownership of audiobooks
- No member discounts or sales
Audible Premium Plus
Pros:
- Access to the full library
- Own audiobooks forever
- Monthly credits
- Member discounts and exclusive offers
- Best for frequent listeners
Cons:
- Higher monthly price
- Only one credit per month (unless family plan)
- Credits expire if unused
How Audible Compares To Other Services
Audible is the leader in audiobooks, but other services exist:
- Scribd: Unlimited access for $11.99/month, but the selection is smaller, and you don’t own books.
- Libro.FM: Similar model to Premium Plus, supports local bookstores.
- Google Play Books: No subscription, pay per audiobook.
Audible’s advantage is its huge library, quality productions, and easy app.
Data: Audible Usage And Popularity
- Over 3 billion hours of audio were streamed in 2023
- More than 40% of US audiobook listeners use Audible
- Audible Originals are among the top 10 most listened-to audio shows in the US
Making Your Choice: Key Questions
Before choosing, ask yourself:
- Do you want to own audiobooks?
- How many books do you listen to per month?
- Is price more important than selection?
- Do you like podcasts and originals?
- Do you want member discounts and sales?
Your answers will guide you to the right plan.
Step-by-step: Switching Between Plans
If you start with one plan, you can switch anytime.
- Log in to your Audible account.
- Go to “Account Details.”
- Click “Change Plan.”
- Select the new plan.
- Confirm.
Credits and library transfer automatically.
Comparison Table: Quick Summary
Here’s a quick summary to help you decide.
| Plan | Best For | Key Features | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audible Plus | Podcast lovers, casual listeners | Unlimited streaming, Plus Catalog | $7.95 |
| Premium Plus | Frequent listeners, collectors | Monthly credits, full library, discounts | $14.95 |
| Premium Plus Family | Families, couples | 2 credits/month, sharing | $22.95 |
Tips For Maximizing Your Audible Experience
- Use credits for expensive books.
- Download for offline listening on trips.
- Explore Audible Originals for unique content.
- Watch for member-only sales.
- Set a sleep timer for bedtime listening.
- Try different narration speeds to fit your pace.
External Resource
For more about Audible’s business model and history, visit Wikipedia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens To My Audiobooks If I Cancel Audible Premium Plus?
You keep all audiobooks you bought with credits or money. They remain in your library forever.
Can I Switch Between Audible Plus And Premium Plus?
Yes, you can change plans anytime in your account settings. Your library stays with you.
Are All Audiobooks Included In The Audible Plus Catalog?
No. The Plus Catalog has about 12,000 titles. Most best-sellers and new releases are only available with Premium Plus credits.
How Do Audible Credits Work?
Each month, Premium Plus members get a credit. Use it to buy any audiobook from the full library. Unused credits roll over for up to 12 months, but expire if unused.
Is There A Free Trial For Audible?
Yes. Both plans offer a 30-day free trial. You can listen to any content included in your plan during the trial.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus depends on your listening habits and what you value most. If you’re a casual listener, love podcasts, and don’t care about owning books, Audible Plus is a simple, affordable choice. If you want access to best-sellers, enjoy collecting audiobooks, and value discounts, Premium Plus offers much more.
Both plans use the same app and offer high-quality audio, but Premium Plus unlocks the full power of Audible. Consider how often you listen, what you want to read, and whether you prefer streaming or ownership. With these insights, you’ll make the best choice for your audiobook journey.
