What an audiobook subscription does
An audiobook subscription gives you access to a library of spoken books for a monthly fee. You read or stream the titles through an app on your phone, tablet, or computer, and listen whenever you want. Most subscriptions let you listen to as many books as you want each month — there is no per-book charge once you pay the subscription fee.
The main services are Audible (owned by Amazon), Scribd, Audiobooks Plus, and Libro.fm. Each one has a different library size, pricing model, and set of features. Some let you keep books after your subscription ends; others delete them when you cancel. Some let you read for offline listening; others require an internet connection to stream.
Audiobook subscriptions are different from library apps like Libby or OverDrive, which are free but have waiting lists for popular titles. They are also different from buying individual audiobooks, where you own the file permanently.
Key Takeaways
- Most audiobook subscriptions cost between $10 and $15 per month and let you listen to unlimited books during that month.
- Audible is the largest service with the most titles, but Scribd and Libro.fm offer different pricing models and features worth comparing.
- Some subscriptions let you read books to listen offline; others require streaming, which uses your phone's data.
- When you cancel a subscription, you lose access to all books — they are not yours to keep unless the service explicitly says otherwise.
- Many services offer a free trial period of 30 days, so you can test the app and library before paying.
How pricing and monthly limits work
Audible charges about $14.95 per month and includes unlimited listening to the full catalog. You can listen to as many books as you want, as many times as you want, for that single monthly fee. There is no limit on how many titles you can start or finish in a month.
Scribd charges about $11.99 per month for unlimited listening to books, plus access to magazines and documents. Like Audible, there is no monthly cap — you can listen to 50 books or 2 books, and the price stays the same.
Audiobooks Plus uses a credit system: you pay about $10 per month and receive one credit, which you can use to "buy" one audiobook. If you want more than one book per month, you buy additional credits at a per-credit price. Books you purchase with credits stay in your library even if you cancel.
Libro.fm charges about $14.99 per month for unlimited listening, but a portion of your fee goes to an independent bookstore you choose. The library is smaller than Audible's, but the model supports local businesses.
Downloading versus streaming
Downloading means the audiobook file is saved to your device. You can listen without an internet connection, which is useful on flights, in areas with poor signal, or when you want to save phone data. Once downloaded, the file stays on your device until you delete it.
Streaming means you listen through the app while connected to the internet. The app plays the book from the service's servers rather than storing it locally. Streaming uses your phone's data plan, which can add up if you listen for hours each day.
Audible lets you read books for offline listening. Scribd also offers downloads on most titles. Libro.fm allows downloads as well. Some services limit how many books you can have downloaded at once, so check the terms before you sign up.
What happens when you cancel
When you cancel an Audible subscription, you lose access to all books in your library. They disappear from your app. If you had downloaded them to your device, the app will no longer let you play them — the files are locked to the Audible app and cannot be played elsewhere.
Scribd works the same way: cancellation means you lose access to everything, whether you downloaded it or not.
Audiobooks Plus is different. Books you purchased with credits are yours to keep. You own the file, and it remains in your library even after you cancel. This makes Audiobooks Plus useful if you want to build a permanent collection without paying per book.
Libro.fm also lets you keep books you purchased with credits. The subscription model is similar to Audiobooks Plus — you get monthly credits and own what you buy.
Free trials and how to start
Audible offers a 30-day free trial. You create an account, link a payment method, and listen to any books you want for a month. If you cancel before the 30 days end, you are not charged. If you do nothing, your subscription begins and you are charged the monthly fee.
Scribd also offers a 30-day free trial with the same structure: full access during the trial, automatic billing if you do not cancel.
Audiobooks Plus and Libro.fm typically offer 30-day trials as well, though the terms vary by service and by region.
To start: read the app from your phone's app store or visit the service's website, create an account with an email address, add a payment method, and start listening. You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through the app's settings or the website's account page.
Comparing library size and book selection
Audible has the largest catalog, with over 750,000 titles. This includes new releases, bestsellers, classics, and niche genres. If a book exists as an audiobook, Audible almost certainly has it.
Scribd has a smaller catalog — roughly 500,000 titles — but still covers most popular and recent books. The selection is strong for fiction and mainstream nonfiction, though some specialized or very new titles may not be available.
Audiobooks Plus and Libro.fm have smaller libraries, typically 100,000 to 200,000 titles. They focus on popular and backlist titles rather than the newest releases. If you listen to bestsellers and classics, you will find what you want. If you chase every new release, you may hit gaps.
Check the service's website or app to search for specific books you want to listen to before you commit to a subscription. Most services let you search without an account.
Audiobook subscriptions versus other ways to listen
Library apps like Libby and OverDrive are free and let you borrow audiobooks using your library card. The catch is that popular titles have waiting lists — sometimes weeks or months long. You cannot listen when ready. Library apps work best if you are patient and have a large local library system.
Buying individual audiobooks through Amazon or other retailers means you own the file permanently. You pay $15 to $30 per book, but there is no monthly fee and no cancellation. This works best if you listen to only a few books per year.
Podcast apps and YouTube often have free audiobooks, but the selection is limited and the quality varies. Some are full professional recordings; others are amateur readings. Free options work for specific titles but are not a reliable primary source.
A subscription makes sense if you listen to multiple books per month and want a large, curated library without waiting lists or per-book costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my audiobook subscription with family members?
Audible allows one account per subscription, and the terms say it is for personal use only. Technically, multiple people can use the same login, but Audible can suspend the account if it detects sharing. Some services offer family plans, but Audible does not currently. Scribd, Audiobooks Plus, and Libro.fm have similar single-user restrictions.
What if I read a book and then cancel my subscription?
On Audible and Scribd, downloaded books stop working after cancellation. The app locks the files and will not play them. On Audiobooks Plus and Libro.fm, books you purchased with credits remain playable because you own them. Check your service's terms to know which applies to you.
Do audiobook subscriptions work offline?
Only if you read the book first. Audible, Scribd, Audiobooks Plus, and Libro.fm all allow downloads on most titles. Once downloaded, you can listen without internet. If you only stream, you need an active connection.
Can I listen on multiple devices with one subscription?
Yes. You can install the app on your phone, tablet, and computer and log in with the same account. Your bookmarks and listening progress sync across devices. However, most services allow only one person to listen at a time per subscription — you cannot have two people listening simultaneously on different devices.
What if a book is not available on my subscription service?
You can request it through the app, but there is no may provide the service will add it. Your other options are to wait for it to be added, use a library app if your library has it, or buy it individually through Amazon or another retailer.