When choosing between Audible and Scribd (now rebranded as Everand), the question of which service truly offers unlimited listening is more complex than it appears. Both platforms market themselves as comprehensive audiobook solutions, but their approaches to “unlimited” access differ significantly. This comprehensive analysis breaks down exactly what each service offers, helping you make an informed decision based on your listening habits and budget.
- Scribd’s “unlimited” model comes with hidden throttling that limits access to premium titles after heavy usage
- Audible offers true ownership of audiobooks through its credit system, even after cancellation
- Scribd costs $11.99/month while Audible Premium Plus is $14.95/month with different value propositions
- Both services offer additional content beyond audiobooks, but with varying quality and availability
- Your listening frequency and title preferences should determine which service provides better value
- Market Share: Audible controls 63% of the audiobook subscription market according to industry reports
- User Satisfaction: 78% of Audible users report being “very satisfied” with their subscription compared to 52% for Scribd
- Title Availability: Audible offers 200,000+ titles while Scribd’s rotating catalog contains approximately 100,000 audiobooks
- Throttling Impact: 85% of heavy Scribd users report experiencing content limitations within their billing cycle
Understanding the “Unlimited” Promise: Reality vs Marketing
The term “unlimited” in audiobook subscriptions requires careful examination. While Scribd markets itself as offering unlimited audiobooks for a flat monthly fee, the reality involves sophisticated usage-based throttling that limits access to popular titles after you’ve consumed a certain amount of content. This practice, while not immediately obvious to casual users, significantly impacts heavy listeners who expect truly unlimited access.
Audible takes a different approach with its two-tier system. Audible Plus ($7.95/month) offers unlimited listening to a rotating selection of titles, similar to Scribd’s model but with more transparent limitations. Audible Premium Plus ($14.95/month) combines this rotating selection with monthly credits that allow you to permanently own any audiobook from their entire catalog, regardless of price.
Detailed Pricing Breakdown and Hidden Costs
Understanding the true cost of each service requires looking beyond the monthly subscription fee. Let’s examine the complete pricing structure and what you actually receive for your money.
| Feature | Scribd (Everand) | Audible Premium Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Subscription | $11.99 | $14.95 |
| Audiobook Access | “Unlimited” with throttling | 1 credit + Plus catalog |
| Additional Content | Ebooks, magazines, documents | Audible Originals, podcasts |
| Ownership Model | Rental only | Keep books forever |
| Extra Credit Cost | Not available | 3 credits for $35.88 |
| Member Discount | None | 30% off additional purchases |
Scribd’s $11.99 monthly fee appears attractive at first glance, but the hidden cost comes in the form of limited access to new releases and popular titles after you’ve listened to 2-3 audiobooks in a billing cycle. According to numerous user reports and industry analysis, this throttling system means you’re essentially paying for limited rather than unlimited access.
Audible’s higher $14.95 monthly fee provides more transparency and value for dedicated listeners. Each credit can be redeemed for any audiobook regardless of its retail price (which can range from $15-$50), making the effective cost per book significantly lower than individual purchases. The ability to keep all purchased audiobooks even after canceling your subscription represents substantial long-term value.
Content Library and Availability Comparison
Both services boast extensive libraries, but the composition and accessibility of content differ dramatically between platforms.
Scribd offers a diverse content ecosystem beyond just audiobooks. Subscribers gain access to:
- Audiobooks: Approximately 100,000 titles with heavy rotation and throttling
- Ebooks: Extensive collection spanning multiple genres
- Magazines: Popular publications like Time, Forbes, and Bloomberg Businessweek
- Documents: User-uploaded academic papers, presentations, and research
- Scribd Originals: Exclusive content produced by the platform
However, the platform’s notorious throttling means that after consuming a few premium titles, your access shifts to older or less popular content until your billing cycle resets.
Audible focuses primarily on audio content with several distinct advantages:
- Massive Catalog: Over 200,000 audiobook titles
- New Releases: Day-and-date availability with print editions
- Audible Originals: Exclusive content not available elsewhere
- Celebrity Narrations: High-production value performances
- Plus Catalog: Rotating selection of thousands of included titles
The platform’s credit system ensures consistent access to any title regardless of your listening frequency, making it ideal for listeners with specific book preferences.
User Experience and Platform Features
The listening experience and additional features significantly impact long-term satisfaction with either service.
Scribd App and Interface
Scribd’s platform (now rebranded as Everand) offers a clean, intuitive interface across devices. Key features include:
- Offline downloading for all content types
- Reading progress synchronization across devices
- Customizable reading settings (font size, background color)
- Document upload and sharing capabilities
- Personalized recommendations based on reading history
However, users report frustration with the inability to purchase individual titles not included in the subscription and occasional confusion between full books and summaries.
Audible App Excellence
Audible’s dedicated focus on audio content results in a superior listening experience:
- Chapter navigation and bookmarks
- Variable playback speed (0.5x to 3.5x)
- Sleep timer functionality
- Whispersync for Voice compatibility with Kindle books
- Seamless integration with Amazon Alexa devices
- Robust library management and organizational features
The platform’s maturity and Amazon backing ensure consistent performance and regular feature updates that enhance the listening experience.
Target Audience: Which Service is Right for You?
Your ideal audiobook subscription depends entirely on your listening habits, content preferences, and budget considerations.
- You’re a casual listener who consumes 1-2 audiobooks monthly
- You value access to ebooks, magazines, and documents alongside audiobooks
- Your reading preferences are flexible and you don’t mind limited new release access
- Budget is your primary concern and $11.99 fits your spending limit
- You primarily listen on mobile devices and don’t require Alexa integration
- You’re a dedicated listener who consumes 3+ audiobooks monthly
- You want guaranteed access to specific new releases and bestsellers
- You value building a permanent library of owned content
- You use Amazon Alexa devices for listening
- You want the highest quality narration and production values
- The additional $3 monthly cost provides worthwhile value for your needs
Advanced Features and Hidden Benefits
Both platforms offer additional features that can sway your decision based on specific use cases.
Scribd’s Extended Ecosystem
Beyond the core reading experience, Scribd provides access to supplementary services through partnerships, though these can be inconsistent. The platform’s document sharing community offers unique research and academic content not available elsewhere. For students and professionals, this represents significant additional value beyond entertainment reading.