In today’s fast-paced world, audiobooks have revolutionized how we consume literature. With over 74 million Americans listening to audiobooks annually, choosing the right service has never been more important. This comprehensive guide examines Audible, AudiobooksNow, and Scribd (now Everand) to help you make an informed decision based on your listening habits, budget, and preferences.
- Audible excels in exclusive content and ownership model with over 200,000 titles
- AudiobooksNow offers flexible pricing with DRM-free options and club pricing plans
- Scribd/Everand provides the best value at $8.99/month with unlimited access to multiple content types
- Each service caters to different listening habits – choose based on your monthly consumption
- Consider library integration through Libby and Overdrive as a complementary free option
- Market Share: 63% – Audible dominates the audiobook market according to industry reports
- Cost Savings: 70% – Average savings with Scribd compared to Audible for heavy listeners
- User Satisfaction: 89% – of audiobook users report high satisfaction with their chosen service
- Library Size: 200,000+ – titles available on Audible vs 85,000 on AudiobooksNow
Understanding the Audiobook Service Landscape
The debate around whether listening to audiobooks “counts” as reading has been settled – 92% of educators and literacy experts agree that audiobooks provide the same cognitive benefits as traditional reading. The real question isn’t whether to listen, but which service provides the best experience for your needs and budget.
Each platform operates on a different business model. Audible uses a credit system where you essentially purchase audiobooks, AudiobooksNow offers both ownership and rental options, while Scribd provides unlimited access through a subscription model. Understanding these fundamental differences is crucial to making the right choice.
Detailed Service Breakdown
Audible: The Industry Leader
Audible, an Amazon company, remains the gold standard in audiobook services with over 200,000 titles. The platform offers two main subscription tiers:
- One credit monthly for any audiobook regardless of price
- Access to Audible Plus Catalog with thousands of included titles
- 30% discount on additional purchases
- Keep all purchased audiobooks forever, even after cancellation
- Exclusive member-only sales with discounts up to 85%
- Access to Audible Plus Catalog only
- No monthly credits for premium titles
- Perfect for casual listeners who don’t need the latest releases
One of Audible’s standout features is their exclusive content. Recent bestsellers like Andy Weir’s “Project Hail Mary” are available only on Audible for extended periods. Additionally, their production quality is consistently excellent, with professional narrators and studio production values.
AudiobooksNow: The Flexible Alternative
AudiobooksNow positions itself as a more flexible alternative to Audible with several unique features:
- Club Pricing Plan: $4.99/month membership with 50% off first audiobook each month
- DRM-Free Options: Not all books have digital rights management restrictions
- Extensive Library: Over 85,000 titles across all genres
- Cost-Effective for Multiple Books: Becomes cheaper than Audible when purchasing 2+ books monthly
For example, Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich” costs $9.97 with the club pricing plan, compared to $14.95 for one credit on Audible. When you add a second book like Robert Greene’s “Mastery,” the savings become more significant – $12 extra on AudiobooksNow versus $17 on Audible.
Scribd/Everand: The Unlimited Value Proposition
Scribd (recently rebranded as Everand for its book services) offers the most compelling value proposition at $8.99 per month. The service provides:
- Unlimited audiobooks, ebooks, magazines, and sheet music
- Massive catalog of 150,000+ ebooks and growing audiobook collection
- Access to major publications like The New York Times and Wall Street Journal
- Offline listening and reading capabilities
- Family sharing options available
However, there’s an important caveat: while advertised as “unlimited,” heavy users may encounter temporary restrictions on popular new releases after consuming 2-3 books in a month. This “soft cap” helps Scribd maintain its low price point while still providing excellent value for most users.
Comparative Analysis
| Feature | Audible | AudiobooksNow | Scribd/Everand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $7.95 – $14.95 | $4.99 (Club Plan) | $8.99 |
| Content Ownership | Keep forever | Keep purchased titles | Access while subscribed |
| Library Size | 200,000+ | 85,000+ | 150,000+ |
| Free Trial | 30 days, 1 credit | 30 days | 30 days |
| Additional Content | Podcasts, Originals | Ebooks | Ebooks, magazines, documents |
| Best For | Collectors, exclusive content seekers | Budget-conscious buyers | High-volume listeners |
Advanced Considerations
Content Availability and Exclusives
Audible’s exclusive deals with publishers mean certain titles are only available on their platform for extended periods. For instance, Michelle Obama’s “Becoming” and Andy Weir’s “Project Hail Mary” had exclusive Audible periods. This exclusivity strategy has made Audible indispensable for readers who want immediate access to bestsellers.
Scribd, while having a smaller exclusive collection, offers remarkable breadth across genres. User reports indicate finding extensive backlists from authors like G.A. Aiken and Charlotte Stein, making it excellent for genre enthusiasts.
Technical Features and User Experience
All three services offer robust mobile apps with essential features like sleep timers, bookmarking, and variable playback speeds. However, Audible’s Whispersync technology, which syncs your position across devices, sets a high bar for seamless user experience.
Scribd’s recent interface improvements have made navigation more intuitive, while AudiobooksNow maintains a straightforward, no-frills approach that appeals to users who prefer simplicity.
Cost Analysis for Different Listening Habits
- Light Listener (1-2 books/month): Audible Premium Plus ($179.40) or AudiobooksNow Club Plan ($59.88 + book costs)
- Moderate Listener (3-5 books/month): Scribd ($107.88) provides best value
- Heavy Listener (6+ books/month): Scribd remains optimal despite occasional limitations
- Collector/Ownership Focused: Audible Premium Plus for permanent library building
Making the Right Choice
Your ideal audiobook service depends on several key factors:
- Budget: Scribd wins for unlimited listening under $9/month
- Ownership