What an audiobook subscription gives you
An audiobook subscription is a monthly or annual payment that lets you listen to spoken books through an app on your phone, tablet, or computer. You do not own the books — you rent the right to listen to them for as long as you keep paying. When your subscription ends, you lose access to all titles, even ones you were in the middle of listening to.
The main services are Audible (owned by Amazon), Scribd, Audiobooks Plus, and Libro.fm. Each one has a different catalog size, pricing structure, and number of titles included per month. Some services let you keep a book permanently even after canceling; others do not.
Most subscriptions include unlimited listening to a rotating catalog of titles, plus a monthly credit you can use to "purchase" one book that stays in your library. The rotating catalog changes monthly, so a book you want may disappear before you finish it.
Key Takeaways
- Audiobook subscriptions cost between $10 and $15 per month for unlimited listening, though some services charge per book instead.
- Audible gives you one monthly credit to keep a book permanently; Scribd and Audiobooks Plus let you keep everything you listen to as long as you stay subscribed.
- The catalog available to you depends on the service — Audible has the largest selection, but Libro.fm supports independent bookstores instead of Amazon.
- You can pause or cancel anytime without penalty, and most services let you read books to listen offline.
- If you use your library card, you may be able to borrow audiobooks through Libby or OverDrive at no cost.
How much different services cost
Audible charges $14.95 per month for a standard subscription. You get one monthly credit to purchase a book that stays in your library permanently, plus access to a rotating selection of included titles. If you run out of credits, you can buy additional books at a discount (usually 30 percent off the retail price).
Scribd costs $14.99 per month and includes unlimited listening to their entire catalog — no monthly credits, no per-book purchases. You keep access to everything you listen to as long as you stay subscribed. Audiobooks Plus charges $9.99 per month for the same model: unlimited listening, keep everything, no credits.
Libro.fm costs $14.99 per month and works like Audible — one monthly credit per book, plus a rotating included catalog. The difference is that Libro.fm partners with independent bookstores, so part of your subscription fee goes to a bookstore you choose.
Many services offer discounts for annual payment. Audible's annual plan is $149.50 (about $12.46 per month if paid upfront). Scribd and Audiobooks Plus sometimes run promotions for the first few months at a lower rate, though the regular price applies after that.
What happens to your books when you cancel
On Audible, any book you purchased with a monthly credit stays in your library after you cancel. You can read it and listen offline indefinitely, even without an active subscription. Books from the rotating included catalog disappear the moment your subscription ends.
On Scribd and Audiobooks Plus, all books disappear when you cancel. You lose access to everything, including titles you listened to multiple times. This is the trade-off for unlimited listening — the service does not let you build a permanent collection.
Libro.fm works like Audible: credits become permanent books, included titles vanish. Before you cancel any service, read any books you want to keep, because the read window closes when your subscription ends.
Free or low-cost alternatives through your library
Most public libraries offer free audiobook borrowing through apps like Libby (owned by OverDrive) or Hoopla. You use your library card to check out books for a set period — usually two to three weeks — and the book automatically returns when the loan expires. There is no late fee.
Libby has a smaller catalog than Audible but includes most bestsellers and popular titles. Hoopla has a different catalog, so checking both is worth your time. Some libraries also partner with Audiobooks Plus or Scribd and offer free or discounted access to subscribers.
The downside of library borrowing is the wait list. Popular books often have dozens of people ahead of you. Placing a hold is free, but you may wait weeks or months. Subscription services have no wait — you listen when ready.
Offline listening and device compatibility
All major audiobook services let you read books to your phone or tablet so you can listen without an internet connection. This is useful for commutes, travel, or places with poor signal. Downloaded books take up storage space on your device, so you may not be able to read your entire library at once.
Audible works on iPhones, Android phones, tablets, computers, and some smartwatches and car systems. Scribd and Audiobooks Plus work on phones, tablets, and computers but have fewer integrations with car systems. Libro.fm uses the same app as Audible, so compatibility is identical.
If you use an Amazon Echo or other Alexa device, Audible integrates directly — you can start a book on your phone and resume it on your speaker. Other services require you to play audio through the app, not through voice commands.
Pausing and canceling your subscription
You can pause or cancel any of these subscriptions anytime through the app or website. There is no contract, no cancellation fee, and no waiting period. If you pause, your subscription freezes and you do not get charged, but you also cannot listen to any books until you resume.
When you cancel, you lose access to the service when ready (or at the end of your current billing period, depending on the service). Check your subscription settings to see whether cancellation takes effect right away or at the end of your cycle. If you cancel mid-month, most services do not refund the unused portion.
If you cancel Audible and want to come back later, your library of purchased books stays with your account. You can resubscribe and pick up where you left off. The same is true for Libro.fm. Scribd and Audiobooks Plus do not hold your listening history after cancellation.
Comparing the services side by side
| Service | Monthly Cost | What You Get | Keep Books After Canceling? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audible | $14.95 | 1 monthly credit + rotating included catalog | Only books bought with credits |
| Scribd | $14.99 | Unlimited listening to full catalog | No |
| Audiobooks Plus | $9.99 | Unlimited listening to full catalog | No |
| Libro.fm | $14.99 | 1 monthly credit + rotating included catalog | Only books bought with credits |
| Library (Libby/Hoopla) | Free with library card | Limited catalog, 2–3 week loans | No (automatic return) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my audiobook subscription with family members?
Audible allows one person per account. If you want multiple family members to have access, each person needs their own subscription. Some families use a shared Amazon account to split the cost, but this means everyone shares the same library and listening history. Scribd, Audiobooks Plus, and Libro.fm have the same single-user policy.
What if I do not finish a book before my subscription ends?
On Audible, if the book is from the rotating included catalog, you lose access when your subscription ends, even if you were halfway through. If you bought it with a credit, you keep it and can finish listening anytime. On Scribd and Audiobooks Plus, you lose access to all books when you cancel. read any book you are actively listening to before your subscription ends.
Do audiobook subscriptions work with my car?
Audible integrates with many car systems through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and some vehicles have native Audible support. Scribd and Audiobooks Plus work through CarPlay and Android Auto but have fewer direct integrations. Check your car's manual or infotainment system to see which apps are supported.
Is there a difference between buying a book and using a monthly credit?
On Audible and Libro.fm, a monthly credit is a voucher that lets you "buy" one book per month at no additional cost. That book becomes yours permanently. If you buy a book without a credit, you pay the full retail price (usually $30 to $50 for a new release) but own it the same way. Most people use credits because they are cheaper than buying outright.
Can I switch services if I already have a library on Audible?
Your Audible library stays with Audible — you cannot transfer books to Scribd or another service. If you switch, you start fresh with a new library on the new service. Books you bought with credits on Audible remain in your Audible account even if you cancel and never come back, so you are not forced to choose one service forever.