What you get with an audiobook subscription
An audiobook subscription gives you access to a library of spoken books through an app on your phone, tablet, or computer. You pay a monthly or annual fee, and in return you can listen to as many titles as the service allows — either unlimited, or a set number per month depending on which plan you choose. The books are narrated by professional voice actors or the authors themselves.
Most services let you read books to listen offline, pause and resume where you left off across devices, and adjust playback speed. You do not own the books — you are renting access to them for as long as your subscription is active. If you cancel, you lose access to everything you have not finished.
Key Takeaways
- Audiobook subscriptions charge a monthly or annual fee and let you listen to a set number of titles per month, or unlimited titles depending on the plan.
- Most services include offline listening, speed adjustment, and the ability to switch between devices, but you lose access if you cancel.
- The major services — Audible, Scribd, and Audiobooks.com — differ in catalog size, pricing, and whether they offer unlimited listening or a monthly credit system.
- Some public libraries offer free audiobook access through apps like Libby and OverDrive, which may be worth checking before paying for a subscription.
- Trial periods usually last 30 days, but canceling before the trial ends is important because subscriptions auto-renew and charge your payment method.
The three largest audiobook subscription services
Audible, owned by Amazon, is the largest service by catalog size and subscriber count. It uses a credit system: you pay a monthly fee and receive a certain number of credits per month, which you spend on individual titles. Unused credits typically roll over for a limited time. Audible also sells individual audiobooks at full price if you want to own them outright, separate from your subscription.
Scribd offers unlimited listening on most of its catalog for a flat monthly fee. You can listen to as many titles as you want without worrying about credits running out. The trade-off is that Scribd's catalog is smaller than Audible's, and some newer or bestselling titles may not be included.
Audiobooks.com, owned by Barnes & Noble, also uses a credit system similar to Audible. It tends to have a smaller catalog than Audible but offers a different selection of titles and sometimes different pricing on individual purchases outside the subscription.
Pricing and features change regularly, so checking each service's current offer before signing up is worth your time. Many offer free trial periods — usually 30 days — so you can test the app and catalog before committing.
How the credit system works
If you subscribe to Audible or Audiobooks.com, you receive a set number of credits each month — typically one credit per month on basic plans, though higher-tier plans may offer more. One credit lets you read one audiobook of any length, whether it is 6 hours or 40 hours. You choose which book to "buy" with that credit.
If you do not use your credit in a given month, it usually rolls over to the next month, but only for a limited time — often three months. After that, unused credits expire. This means you need to check your account periodically to avoid losing credits you have paid for.
If you want to listen to more books than your credits allow, you can purchase additional titles at full price through the same app. Full prices vary widely depending on the title and narrator, typically ranging from $10 to $50 per book.
Free audiobook options through your library
Libby and OverDrive are apps that connect to your public library's digital collection. If your library has a digital audiobook program, you can read titles for free using your library card. The selection depends on what your library has purchased, which is usually smaller than commercial services, and popular titles often have waiting lists.
Some libraries also partner with Hoopla, another free app that offers audiobooks, ebooks, movies, and music. Like Libby, Hoopla is free if your library participates, though the catalog and availability vary by location.
Checking what your library offers takes five minutes and costs nothing. If your library's collection covers the genres you listen to most, you may not need a paid subscription at all.
What happens during the free trial
Most audiobook services offer a 30-day free trial. During this time, you get full access to the service — you can read books, listen offline, and use all features the same way a paying subscriber does. The trial usually includes at least one credit or a period of unlimited listening, depending on the service.
The critical step is canceling before the trial ends if you decide the service is not for you. Subscriptions auto-renew on the last day of the trial, and your payment method will be charged. You can cancel through the app or website, usually in the account settings under "Subscription" or "Billing." Canceling does not when ready remove your access — you keep listening until the trial period officially ends.
If you forget to cancel and are charged, most services allow you to request a refund within a short window, usually 7 to 14 days. Contact customer service through the app or website to ask.
Comparing unlimited listening versus credits
The choice between unlimited listening and a credit system depends on how much you listen and what you listen to. If you go through more than one audiobook per month, unlimited listening (like Scribd offers) may save you money. If you listen to one or two books per month, a credit-based system (like Audible) might be cheaper, since you only pay for what you use.
The trade-off is catalog size. Audible has more titles overall, including more recent releases and bestsellers. Scribd has fewer titles but covers most popular genres. If you listen to niche categories — technical books, self-published works, or very new releases — Audible's larger catalog may matter more than the cost difference.
Some listeners use both: a free library app for popular titles with waiting lists, and a paid subscription for newer or less common books. This approach spreads the cost and gives you access to more titles overall.
What to know about offline listening and device switching
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 — a typical audiobook is 200 to 500 megabytes, so a few books will not fill your phone, but dozens might.
You can usually switch between devices — listen on your phone during a commute, then pick up where you left off on your tablet at home. The app syncs your position across devices automatically, though this requires an internet connection to sync. If you are offline on one device, the other devices will not know where you stopped until you connect again.
Playback speed adjustment is standard across all services. You can speed up narration to 1.25x or 1.5x speed to finish books faster, or slow it down to 0.75x if you prefer a more leisurely pace. This does not affect the quality of the narration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my audiobook subscription with family members?
Audible allows you to share your library with family members through Amazon Household, though each person needs their own Audible account. Scribd and Audiobooks.com typically do not allow account sharing. Check the current terms of service for the service you are considering, as policies change.
What happens to my books if I cancel my subscription?
If you cancel, you lose access to all audiobooks you downloaded through the subscription. Books you purchased outright (not with credits) remain yours if the service offers a purchase option. Downloaded files on your device will stop playing once your subscription ends, even if the files are still stored there.
Do I need to return or delete books before canceling?
No. You can cancel when ready, and your access will end on the date your current billing period ends. You do not need to delete anything or contact customer service. straightforward go to your account settings and select "Cancel Subscription."
How do I know if a book is included in my subscription or costs extra?
In the app, each title shows whether it costs a credit, is included in unlimited listening, or requires a separate purchase. On Audible, books included in your subscription are labeled clearly. On Scribd, most titles are included, but some premium or very new releases may not be. Check before you spend a credit.
Can I listen to the same audiobook on multiple devices at the same time?
Most services do not allow simultaneous playback on multiple devices. If you start listening on your phone, you cannot listen on your tablet at the same time. You can switch devices, but only one device can be actively playing at any moment.