What you get with a book subscription
A book subscription gives you access to a library of titles for a monthly or annual fee, rather than buying each book individually. The books you can read depend on which service you choose — some focus on ebooks, others on audiobooks, and a few offer both. You typically read or listen through an app on your phone, tablet, or computer.
Most services let you read as many books as you want during your subscription period, though some limit how many you can borrow at once or how long you can keep each title. When your subscription ends, you lose access to all the books — you don't own them. A few services let you purchase books at a discount if you want to keep them permanently.
Key Takeaways
- Book subscriptions charge a monthly or annual fee and let you read or listen to many titles, but you don't own the books after your subscription ends.
- Ebook subscriptions, audiobook subscriptions, and all-in-one services have different libraries, so the same book may not be available on every platform.
- Most services let you read unlimited books, but some cap how many you can borrow at the same time or how long you can keep each one.
- Monthly plans cost between $10 and $15 for most ebook services and $15 to $20 for audiobooks, with annual plans offering lower per-month rates.
- Your reading history, bookmarks, and notes stay on the service's app, not on your device, so switching services means starting over.
Ebook subscriptions versus audiobook subscriptions
Ebook subscriptions let you read digital books on a screen. Services like Scribd, Kindle Unlimited, and Scribd focus on ebooks, though some also include magazines and audiobooks. You read or stream the book to your device and read at your own pace. Most ebook subscriptions let you read as many books as you want each month with no borrowing limits.
Audiobook subscriptions let you listen to narrated books. Audible, Scribd, and Libro.fm are the largest services. Some audiobook subscriptions charge a flat monthly fee for unlimited listening; others give you a set number of credits per month that you spend on individual titles. A credit typically buys one audiobook, regardless of length. If you finish your credits before the month ends, you either wait for the next month or pay extra per book.
The same book is often not available on both ebook and audiobook services, so if you want to switch between reading and listening, you may need to subscribe to both or choose one format. Kindle Unlimited, for example, has a large ebook library but no audiobooks. Audible has most major audiobooks but a smaller ebook collection.
How borrowing limits and access periods work
Most unlimited ebook subscriptions let you read as many books as you want with no waiting. You can keep a book as long as your subscription is active — there is no return date. If you cancel, you lose access to all books you were reading, even if you were in the middle of one.
Some services, like Hoopla and Libby (which connect to public libraries), use a borrowing model instead. You can borrow a set number of titles at once — often three to five — and each book has a loan period, usually 14 to 21 days. When the loan expires, the book is automatically returned and you can borrow another. If other people are waiting for a popular book, you may have to wait your turn in a queue.
Audiobook services vary more widely. Audible's unlimited plan lets you listen to as many books as you want, but you can only read a certain number at once (usually 10). Scribd's audiobook plan is also unlimited. Other services use a credit system where you get a fixed number of audiobooks per month.
Monthly and annual pricing
Ebook subscriptions typically cost $10 to $15 per month, or $100 to $150 per year if you pay annually. Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month or $139.99 per year. Scribd costs $14.99 per month for ebooks and audiobooks combined, or $149.99 per year. Exact prices vary by region and change over time.
Audiobook subscriptions are generally more expensive. Audible costs $14.95 per month for one credit per month, or $14.95 per month billed annually. Scribd's audiobook plan is included in the same $14.99 monthly price as ebooks. Libro.fm costs $14.99 per month for one audiobook credit.
Public library services like Libby and Hoopla are free if you have a library card, though they have smaller collections and use borrowing limits instead of unlimited access. Some subscriptions offer a free trial period — usually 7 to 30 days — so you can test the service before paying.
What happens to your books if you cancel
When your subscription ends, you lose access to every book you were reading or listening to. Any bookmarks, notes, or highlights you made inside the app disappear as well. You cannot read the books to keep them permanently — the files are locked to the subscription service's app.
A few services offer a way around this. Some let you purchase books at a subscriber discount if you want to own them outright. Kindle Unlimited lets you buy Kindle ebooks at a discount, though you still need a Kindle device or app to read them. Libro.fm lets you purchase audiobooks separately at regular price.
If you switch from one service to another, you start with an empty library. Your reading history does not transfer, so you cannot see which books you have already read on the new service unless you keep your own list elsewhere.
Library size and book availability across services
Not all books are available on all subscriptions. Kindle Unlimited has over 4 million titles, mostly self-published and indie books, plus some traditionally published works. Scribd has over 1 million titles. Smaller services like Hoopla have tens of thousands. The newest bestsellers are often not included in subscription libraries — publishers typically wait months or years before allowing subscriptions to carry them, to protect sales of the book at full price.
If a specific book matters to you, check whether it is available on the service before you subscribe. Most services let you search their catalog on their website without logging in. If the book you want is not there, it may never be added, or it may take a long time.
Audiobook libraries are often smaller than ebook libraries on the same service. A book available as an ebook on Scribd may not be available as an audiobook, and vice versa. This is because audiobooks require a narrator and are more expensive for publishers to produce.
How to choose between services
Start by deciding whether you want to read ebooks, listen to audiobooks, or do both. If you want both, Scribd is one of the few services that includes both in a single subscription. If you prefer one format, you can choose a service that specializes in it.
Next, check whether the books you want to read are available. Search the service's catalog for three or four titles you know you would read soon. If most of them are missing, that service may not be worth the cost.
Consider how you read. If you read a lot and finish books quickly, an unlimited subscription saves money compared to buying each book. If you read slowly or only a few books per year, buying individual books or using your library's free borrowing service may be cheaper. If you like to own books and reread them, a subscription is not the right fit because you lose access when you cancel.
If you have a library card, check what your library offers first. Many public libraries offer free access to Libby, Hoopla, or both, which gives you thousands of ebooks and audiobooks at no cost beyond your library membership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read the same book on multiple devices at the same time?
Most services let you read on multiple devices, but not always at the same time. Kindle Unlimited allows simultaneous reading on different devices. Some services limit you to one device at a time, or one reading session per book. Check the service's terms before you subscribe if you plan to switch between devices frequently.
What if a book is removed from the subscription library?
If you are reading a book and the publisher removes it from the service, you lose access when ready. You cannot finish reading it unless you purchase it separately. Services do not always notify you in advance when a title is being removed, so this can happen without warning.
Do I need a credit card to start a free trial?
Yes, most services require a credit card to start a free trial, even though you will not be charged during the trial period. The card is on file so the service can charge you automatically when the trial ends. You must cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged.
Can I share my subscription with family members?
Some services allow family sharing, but rules vary. Kindle Unlimited lets you share your subscription with one other adult through Amazon Household, and you each get your own library. Other services do not allow sharing. Check the service's family plan options before you subscribe if you want multiple people to use one account.
Is there a difference between subscription ebooks and library ebooks?
Yes. Library services like Libby use a borrowing model with waiting lists and loan periods. Subscriptions let you read unlimited books with no waiting, but you lose access when you cancel. Libraries are free but slower; subscriptions cost money but give you when ready access to everything in the catalog.