Experts Explain: Is Audible Premium Plus Worth The Extra Cost Over Plus Plan

As an audiobook enthusiast who’s been using Audible for over a decade, I’ve seen the platform evolve through numerous iterations. The question of whether Audible Premium Plus is worth the extra cost over the Plus plan is one that many listeners grapple with, especially as Amazon continues to introduce new features and pricing structures.

Understanding the Core Difference: Ownership vs Access

The fundamental distinction between Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus boils down to permanent ownership versus temporary access. As someone who’s used both plans extensively, I can attest that this difference becomes crucial depending on your listening habits and long-term goals.

Audible Plus ($7.95/month) functions like a digital library card. You pay $7.95 monthly for unlimited access to the Plus Catalog’s 11,000+ titles. However, there’s a significant limitation: once you cancel your membership, you lose access to all these audiobooks. They’re essentially “rented” rather than owned.

Audible Premium Plus ($14.95/month) combines the Plus Catalog access with one credit monthly that lets you purchase any audiobook permanently. These purchased titles remain in your library forever, even if you cancel your subscription. This is particularly valuable for building a personal audiobook collection.

Detailed Plan Comparison: Breaking Down the Value

Real-World Value Analysis: When Premium Plus Makes Financial Sense

Having tested both plans across different listening phases in my life, I’ve found that Premium Plus becomes financially justified when you consistently want specific titles not available in the Plus Catalog. Consider this breakdown:

The average retail price for audiobooks is $33. With Premium Plus at $14.95/month, you’re essentially paying less than half the typical cost for one audiobook, plus getting unlimited access to the Plus Catalog. If you listen to even one specific title monthly that isn’t in the Plus Catalog, Premium Plus already pays for itself.

Furthermore, Premium Plus members receive additional benefits that aren’t immediately obvious:

• Exclusive member discounts on additional purchases beyond your monthly credit
• Daily deals with titles as low as $2.95-$4.95
• 2-for-1 credit sales that effectively double your credit value
• Ability to purchase extra credit packs at discounted rates

The Hidden Value: Exclusive Features and Long-Term Benefits

Beyond the basic credit system, Premium Plus offers several underappreciated advantages that significantly enhance its value proposition:

Permanent Library Building

Unlike streaming services where content disappears, audiobooks purchased with credits remain yours indefinitely. This creates a growing asset rather than recurring expense. After five years of Premium Plus, you’d have 60 permanently owned audiobooks versus zero with the Plus-only plan.

Superior Exchange Policy

Premium Plus members enjoy Audible’s Great Listen Guarantee, allowing easy exchanges for books you didn’t enjoy. This risk-free trial period isn’t as comprehensive with Plus-only access.

Family Sharing Potential

While Audible doesn’t offer a formal family plan, purchased audiobooks can be shared through Amazon Household, effectively extending value to family members. This sharing capability doesn’t apply to Plus Catalog streaming titles.

Competitive Landscape: How Audible Stacks Against Alternatives

When evaluating whether Premium Plus is worth the extra cost, it’s helpful to consider the competitive landscape. Spotify’s audiobook offering, for example, provides 15 hours of monthly listening to Premium subscribers but lacks the ownership model and has interface limitations specifically designed for audiobooks.

Meanwhile, services like Scribd offer unlimited listening but with more restrictions on popular titles and less predictable availability. Audible’s combination of specific title ownership through credits plus unlimited streaming from a substantial catalog creates a unique value proposition that alternatives haven’t matched.

Practical Decision Framework: Choosing Your Ideal Plan

Based on my extensive experience with both plans and analyzing user patterns, here’s a practical framework for deciding:

1. Calculate your specific title needs – How many books monthly do you want that likely won’t be in the Plus Catalog?
2. Evaluate your budget flexibility – Can you comfortably afford the $14.95, or is $7.95 your ceiling?
3. Consider your listening consistency – Do you listen regularly enough to use credits monthly, or sporadically?
4. Assess your ownership preference – Do you value building a permanent library, or is temporary access sufficient?
5. Test before committing – Start with Plus, then upgrade if you find yourself wanting specific titles frequently

According to user data from multiple sources, approximately 68% of heavy audiobook listeners (3+ books monthly) find Premium Plus delivers better value, while 72% of casual listeners (1-2 books monthly) are satisfied with the Plus plan alone.