Welcome to the ultimate breakdown of Audible costs, guiding you through the different membership options, additional charges, and potential savings. Whether you're an experienced audiobook listener or just starting your journey into the world of audio storytelling, this article will provide you with all the essential information you need to make informed decisions about your Audible subscription.
Audible is a leading provider of audiobooks and other spoken-word content, offering an extensive library of titles across various genres and formats. By subscribing to Audible, you gain access to this vast collection and enjoy the convenience of listening to audiobooks on your preferred devices. However, before diving into the Audible experience, it's essential to understand the associated costs and how they can impact your monthly budget.
To delve deeper into the Audible cost structure, let's explore the membership options, additional charges, and potential savings in detail. We'll also provide tips and recommendations to help you optimize your Audible experience while minimizing your financial commitment.
Audible Cost Per Month
Understanding Your Monthly Fees
- Plans Starting at $7.95
- Additional Audiobook Purchases
- Membership Perks and Discounts
- Free Titles with Membership
- Credits vs. Cash Payments
- Annual vs. Monthly Billing
- Student and Family Plans
- 30-Day Free Trial
Explore Options for Optimal Listening
Plans Starting at $7.95
Audible offers a variety of membership plans to suit different listening habits and budgets. The most basic plan, Audible Plus, starts at $7.95 per month. With this plan, you'll have access to a vast catalog of audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals, which are exclusive audio shows and series produced by Audible.
Another popular plan is the Audible Premium Plus membership, which costs $14.95 per month. This plan includes all the benefits of Audible Plus, but it also gives you a monthly credit that you can use to purchase any audiobook from the Audible catalog, regardless of its price. This means that you can effectively get one audiobook for free every month, as long as you use your credit before it expires.
For those who listen to a lot of audiobooks, there's the Audible Premium Plus Annual plan. This plan costs $149.50 per year, which works out to $12.46 per month. With this plan, you'll get 12 monthly credits upfront, which means you can purchase 12 audiobooks of your choice throughout the year. This plan is a great value if you know you'll be listening to more than one audiobook per month.
Finally, Audible also offers a Student plan for $9.95 per month. This plan includes all the benefits of the Audible Plus plan, but at a discounted rate. To qualify for the Student plan, you must be a currently enrolled student at an accredited college or university.
No matter which plan you choose, you can always cancel your membership at any time. There are no long-term contracts or commitments. You can also return any audiobook you're not satisfied with, for a full refund.
Additional Audiobook Purchases
In addition to the monthly membership fee, you may also need to purchase additional audiobooks if you want to listen to titles that are not included in your plan's catalog or if you run out of credits. Audible offers a variety of ways to purchase audiobooks:
- Buy with Credits:
If you have unused credits from your Audible Premium Plus membership, you can use them to purchase audiobooks. The number of credits required for a particular audiobook varies depending on its price. You can check the number of credits required for a book on its product page.
- Buy with Cash:
You can also purchase audiobooks with cash, even if you don't have a membership. However, audiobooks purchased with cash are typically more expensive than those purchased with credits.
- Whispersync for Voice:
If you own the Kindle ebook version of a book that is also available as an audiobook, you can purchase the audiobook at a discounted price through Whispersync for Voice. This feature allows you to switch between reading and listening seamlessly.
- Sales and Discounts:
Audible frequently offers sales and discounts on audiobooks. You can find these deals on the Audible website or app. You can also sign up for Audible's email newsletter to be notified of upcoming sales.
Keep in mind that additional audiobook purchases can add up, so it's important to budget accordingly. If you find yourself buying a lot of audiobooks with cash, you may want to consider upgrading to a higher membership plan that includes more credits.
Membership Perks and Discounts
Audible membership comes with a number of perks and discounts that can help you save money on audiobooks and other products:
- Exclusive Sales and Discounts:
Audible members have access to exclusive sales and discounts on audiobooks, Audible Originals, and other products. These sales and discounts can save you up to 50% off the regular price.
- 2-for-1 Sales:
Audible frequently offers 2-for-1 sales, where you can purchase two audiobooks for the price of one. This is a great way to stock up on your favorite books or try new titles.
- Free Audiobooks:
Audible members are eligible to receive free audiobooks from time to time. These free audiobooks are typically selected by Audible editors and are available for a limited time.
- Audible Originals:
Audible members have access to Audible Originals, which are exclusive audio shows and series produced by Audible. These shows and series are available at no additional cost to members.
In addition to these perks and discounts, Audible members also have access to a variety of other benefits, such as:
- Whispersync for Voice:
This feature allows you to switch between reading and listening to your audiobooks seamlessly.
- Offline Listening:
You can download audiobooks to your device and listen to them offline, even when you don't have an internet connection.
- Sleep Mode:
This feature allows you to set a sleep timer for your audiobooks, so you can drift off to sleep while listening.
- Return Policy:
Audible has a generous return policy, so you can return any audiobook you're not satisfied with, for a full refund.
Free Titles with Membership
One of the best perks of Audible membership is the ability to access a selection of free audiobooks and other audio content.
- Audible Plus Catalog:
Audible Plus members have access to a rotating selection of free audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals. The selection changes regularly, so there's always something new to discover.
- Prime Reading:
If you're an Amazon Prime member, you also have access to Prime Reading, which includes a selection of free audiobooks. The Prime Reading catalog is smaller than the Audible Plus catalog, but it still offers a variety of popular titles.
- Free Trial:
When you sign up for a new Audible membership, you'll get a 30-day free trial. During this time, you can listen to any audiobook in the Audible catalog, for free. This is a great way to try out the service and see if it's right for you.
- Giveaways and Promotions:
Audible frequently offers giveaways and promotions, where you can get free audiobooks or other prizes. These giveaways and promotions are typically announced on Audible's website and social media pages.
By taking advantage of the free titles and promotions offered by Audible, you can save even more money on your monthly audiobook listening.
Credits vs. Cash Payments
When it comes to purchasing audiobooks on Audible, you have two options: you can either use credits or make cash payments. Credits are a virtual currency that you can use to purchase audiobooks from the Audible catalog. You can earn credits by signing up for a paid Audible membership, or you can purchase them separately.
The advantage of using credits is that you can get audiobooks at a discounted price. The number of credits required for a particular audiobook varies depending on its price. However, you can typically get an audiobook for around $10-$15 worth of credits. This is a significant discount compared to the cash price of audiobooks, which can range from $20-$40.
If you're not sure how many audiobooks you'll listen to in a month, you can start with the Audible Plus plan, which gives you access to a rotating selection of free audiobooks and podcasts. Once you've determined your listening habits, you can then decide whether to upgrade to a higher membership plan that includes more credits.
Another option is to purchase audiobooks with cash. This is a good option if you only listen to a few audiobooks per month, or if you want to purchase an audiobook that is not available in the Audible catalog. However, keep in mind that audiobooks purchased with cash are typically more expensive than those purchased with credits.
Ultimately, the best way to save money on Audible is to use a combination of credits and cash payments. Use your credits to purchase audiobooks that you really want, and use cash to purchase audiobooks that are not available in the Audible catalog or that you don't want to spend credits on.
Annual vs. Monthly PomerBilling
Audible offers both monthly and annual billing options for its membership plans. With monthly billing, you pay a fixed monthly fee to access the Audible catalog and receive your monthly credits. With annual billing, you pay a discounted annual fee, which is spread out over 12 monthly payments.
There are a few advantages to choosing annual billing. First, you can save money on your monthly membership fee. Audible typically offers a significant discount to members who pay annually. For example, the Audible Premium Plus plan is $14.95 per month with monthly billing, but only $149.50 per year with annual billing. This works out to a savings of over $20 per year.
Second, annual billing can help you budget more easily. With monthly billing, you need to remember to pay your membership fee every month. With annual billing, you only need to pay once a year. This can be especially helpful if you have a busy lifestyle or if you tend to forget to pay your bills on time.
Finally, annual billing can give you peace of mind. With monthly billing, you can cancel your membership at any time. However, with annual billing, you are locked into a 12-month contract. This means that you can't cancel your membership without paying a cancellation fee.
Overall, annual billing is a great way to save money on your Audible membership and get peace of mind. However, it's important to make sure that you're comfortable with the commitment before signing up for an annual plan.
Student and Family Plans
Audible offers special pricing for students and families. The Student plan is available to currently enrolled students at accredited colleges and universities. The Family plan is available to households with two or more adults and up to four children.
The Student plan costs $9.95 per month, which is a significant discount compared to the regular Audible Plus plan. The Student plan includes all the benefits of the Audible Plus plan, such as access to the Audible Plus catalog, podcasts, and Audible Originals. Students can also purchase audiobooks with cash at a discounted price.
The Family plan costs $14.95 per month, which is the same price as the regular Audible Premium Plus plan. However, the Family plan includes two Audible Premium Plus memberships, which means that two adults in the household can each have their own account and their own monthly credits. The Family plan also includes up to four child accounts, which gives children access to a selection of age-appropriate audiobooks and podcasts.
Both the Student plan and the Family plan offer a great way to save money on Audible. If you're a student or a family with multiple Audible listeners, these plans are definitely worth considering.
To sign up for the Student plan, you'll need to provide proof of your student status. This can be a copy of your student ID card or a transcript from your school. To sign up for the Family plan, you'll need to provide the names and ages of all the adults and children in your household.
30-Day Free Trial
Audible offers a generous 30-day free trial to new members. This is a great way to try out the service and see if it's right for you before committing to a paid membership.
- Full Access to the Audible Catalog:
During your free trial, you'll have full access to the Audible catalog, including audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals.
- Monthly Credit:
You'll also receive a monthly credit that you can use to purchase any audiobook in the Audible catalog, regardless of its price.
- No Obligation:
There's no obligation to continue your membership after your free trial ends. You can cancel at any time, for any reason.
- Easy Cancellation:
If you decide to cancel your membership, you can do so easily through your Audible account settings.
To sign up for a free trial, simply visit the Audible website and click on the "Start Your Free Trial" button. You'll need to provide your name, email address, and credit card information. Once you've signed up, you'll have immediate access to the Audible catalog and your monthly credit.
At the end of your free trial, you'll be automatically enrolled in a paid membership. However, you can cancel your membership at any time before the end of your free trial and you won't be charged.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about Audible cost per month:
Question 1: How much does Audible cost per month?
Answer 1: Audible offers a variety of membership plans, starting at $7.95 per month. The most popular plan, Audible Premium Plus, costs $14.95 per month and includes one monthly credit that you can use to purchase any audiobook in the Audible catalog. You can also purchase audiobooks with cash, but they are typically more expensive than those purchased with credits.
Question 2: What is the difference between Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus?
Answer 2: Audible Plus is a lower-cost membership plan that gives you access to a rotating selection of free audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals. Audible Premium Plus includes all the benefits of Audible Plus, plus one monthly credit that you can use to purchase any audiobook in the Audible catalog.
Question 3: Can I get a discount on my Audible membership?
Answer 3: Yes, you can get a discount on your Audible membership by signing up for an annual plan. Annual plans are typically discounted by around 20% compared to monthly plans. You can also get a discount by signing up for the Student or Family plan.
Question 4: What is the Audible Student plan?
Answer 4: The Audible Student plan is available to currently enrolled students at accredited colleges and universities. The Student plan costs $9.95 per month and includes all the benefits of the Audible Plus plan. Students can also purchase audiobooks with cash at a discounted price.
Question 5: What is the Audible Family plan?
Answer 5: The Audible Family plan is available to households with two or more adults and up to four children. The Family plan costs $14.95 per month and includes two Audible Premium Plus memberships, which means that two adults in the household can each have their own account and their own monthly credits. The Family plan also includes up to four child accounts, which gives children access to a selection of age-appropriate audiobooks and podcasts.
Question 6: Does Audible offer a free trial?
Answer 6: Yes, Audible offers a 30-day free trial to new members. During your free trial, you'll have full access to the Audible catalog and you'll receive one monthly credit. There's no obligation to continue your membership after your free trial ends. You can cancel at any time, for any reason.
Question 7: How can I cancel my Audible membership?
Answer 7: You can cancel your Audible membership at any time by logging into your account and clicking on the "Cancel Membership" button. You can also cancel your membership by calling Audible customer service.
These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about Audible cost per month. For more information, please visit the Audible website or contact Audible customer service.
Tips
Here are a few tips for saving money on your Audible cost per month:
Tip 1: Sign up for an annual plan.
Audible offers a significant discount to members who pay annually. For example, the Audible Premium Plus plan is $14.95 per month with monthly billing, but only $149.50 per year with annual billing. This works out to a savings of over $20 per year.
Tip 2: Take advantage of free trials and promotions.
Audible frequently offers free trials and promotions, where you can get free audiobooks or other prizes. These giveaways and promotions are typically announced on Audible's website and social media pages.
Tip 3: Use your monthly credit wisely.
If you have an Audible Premium Plus membership, you'll receive one monthly credit that you can use to purchase any audiobook in the Audible catalog. Be sure to choose audiobooks that you really want and that are worth the credit.
Tip 4: Consider the Student or Family plan.
If you're a student or a family with multiple Audible listeners, the Student or Family plan may be a good option for you. These plans offer discounted rates and additional benefits.
Tip 5: Return audiobooks that you don't like.
Audible has a generous return policy. You can return any audiobook that you're not satisfied with, for a full refund. This is a great way to try new audiobooks without any risk.
By following these tips, you can save money on your Audible cost per month and still enjoy all the benefits of the service.
Ultimately, the best way to save money on Audible is to use the service wisely and take advantage of the many discounts and promotions that are available.
Conclusion
Audible offers a variety of membership plans and pricing options to suit different listening habits and budgets. With plans starting at $7.95 per month, Audible is an affordable way to enjoy audiobooks, podcasts, and other audio content.
To save money on your Audible cost per month, you can sign up for an annual plan, take advantage of free trials and promotions, use your monthly credit wisely, and consider the Student or Family plan. You can also return audiobooks that you don't like for a full refund.
Ultimately, the best way to save money on Audible is to use the service wisely and take advantage of the many discounts and promotions that are available. Audible also offers a generous return policy, so you can try new audiobooks without any risk.
Whether you're a voracious audiobook listener or just starting to explore the world of audio storytelling, Audible has something to offer everyone. With its vast library of titles and its many membership options, Audible is a great way to enjoy audiobooks, podcasts, and other audio content on your terms.