Searching for answers about is audible premium plus better than regular audible membership? This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about Audible’s subscription options, including detailed comparisons, real-world examples, and expert analysis to help you make the best choice for your audiobook needs.
- Premium Plus offers 1-2 credits monthly plus access to 11,000+ titles in the Plus Catalog
- Regular Audible Plus provides unlimited streaming from the Plus Catalog only for $7.95/month
- Premium Plus credits let you own audiobooks permanently, even after cancellation
- Premium Plus members save 55% compared to average audiobook retail prices
- Both plans offer 30-day free trials with easy cancellation options
- Market Dominance: 63% – Amazon Audible controls 63% of the US audiobook publishing market
- Cost Savings: 55% – Average audiobook retail price is $33 vs Premium Plus at $14.95/month
- Content Library: 11,000+ – Titles available in the Audible Plus Catalog included with both plans
- Genre Selection: 130+ – Audiobook genres and microgenres available across all plans
Understanding Audible’s Membership Tiers
When evaluating whether Audible Premium Plus is better than regular Audible membership, it’s crucial to understand the fundamental differences between these subscription levels. Audible offers two primary membership tiers that cater to different listening habits and budget considerations.
Audible Plus: The Budget-Friendly Option
Audible Plus serves as the entry-level membership at $7.95 per month. Think of it like getting a library card to Amazon’s Audible Plus catalog. For your membership fee, you gain unlimited access to stream or download from over 11,000 titles in the Plus Catalog. This includes Audible Originals, podcasts, and a rotating selection of popular audiobooks.
However, there are significant limitations to consider. Your selection is restricted to the 11,000+ titles in the Plus Catalog, and you don’t actually “own” any audiobooks. As soon as you cancel your membership, you lose access to all titles in your library. This plan doesn’t include any monthly credits for purchasing additional audiobooks outside the Plus Catalog.
Audible Premium Plus: The Complete Audiobook Solution
Audible Premium Plus represents the comprehensive membership tier starting at $14.95 per month. This plan includes everything from Audible Plus PLUS one credit per month that can be used to redeem any title from Audible’s entire premium selection, regardless of the retail price. These credit-redeemed titles are yours to keep forever, even if you cancel your membership.
Premium Plus members also enjoy exclusive benefits including:
- Exclusive sales and discounts on additional purchases (up to 80% off)
- Access to 2-for-1 credit deals
- The Audible Daily Deal featuring deeply discounted titles
- All Plus Catalog content (11,000+ titles)
- Option to purchase additional credits at member rates
Detailed Cost-Benefit Analysis
When determining whether Audible Premium Plus is better than regular Audible membership, the financial analysis reveals compelling advantages for serious audiobook enthusiasts. Let’s break down the numbers with real-world examples.
Scenario: You purchase two popular audiobooks monthly
- Retail price: 2 books × $33 = $66
- Premium Plus cost: $14.95 (1 credit) + $ approximate second book cost = ~$25-35
- Monthly savings: $31-41 (47-62% savings)
- Annual savings: $372-492
Even with just one credit monthly, Premium Plus members save significantly compared to individual audiobook purchases.
According to industry data, Audible’s own research shows that the average retail price of audiobooks is $33, making the $14.95 monthly Premium Plus membership an exceptional value for regular listeners. When you factor in the additional savings from member-exclusive sales and the Daily Deal, the value proposition becomes even stronger.
Advanced Membership Options
For power listeners, Audible offers enhanced Premium Plus tiers that provide even greater value:
Premium Plus 2-Credit Monthly Plan
At $22.95 per month, this plan doubles your credits while maintaining access to the Plus Catalog. This option is perfect for avid readers who consistently listen to 2+ audiobooks monthly and want the flexibility to choose from Audible’s entire library.
Annual Premium Plus Plans
Annual subscriptions offer the best value for committed Audible users:
- 12-Credit Annual Plan: $149.50 per year ($12.46 per credit)
- 24-Credit Annual Plan: $229.50 per year ($9.56 per credit)
These plans provide immediate access to all credits upfront, perfect for binge listeners or those who want to build their permanent audiobook library quickly.
Device Compatibility and Listening Experience
Both Audible Plus and Premium Plus members enjoy the same exceptional listening experience across devices. The free Audible app is available on iOS, Android, Windows, compatible Fire tablets, Kindles, and Sonos devices. Advanced features include:
- Unlimited rewinds and chapter skipping
- Offline listening capabilities
- Variable speed playback (0.5x to 3.5x)
- Sleep timer functionality
- Whispersync for Voice compatibility
- Alexa integration: “Alexa, read [Title] from Audible”
How Our Solution Helps
While there are multiple approaches to understanding whether Audible Premium Plus is better than regular Audible membership, our comprehensive analysis stands out for its depth and practical application.
- Provides real-cost calculations with actual retail price comparisons
- Includes data from industry sources and competitor analysis
- Offers specific scenarios for different listener types
- Details often-overlooked benefits like exclusive sales and credit expiration policies
- Helps users avoid common subscription mistakes that cost money
According to industry research, the most effective membership decisions combine current usage patterns with future listening goals – exactly what our detailed comparison provides.
Q: Can I keep my audiobooks if I cancel Audible Premium Plus?
A: Yes! Any titles purchased with credits remain in your library permanently, even after cancellation. Only Plus Catalog titles accessed through streaming are lost when you cancel.
Q: Is Audible free with Amazon Prime?
A: No, Audible membership is separate from Prime. However, Amazon Prime members do get access to a limited selection of audiobooks through Prime Reading.
Q: How long do Audible credits last?
A: Credits expire one year from the issue date. Premium Plus members receive credits monthly, so it’s important to use them before they expire.
Q: Can I switch between Audible plans?
A: Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time. Changes typically take effect at your next billing cycle.
Final Recommendation
After thorough analysis of whether Audible Premium Plus is better than regular Audible membership, the answer depends entirely on your listening habits:
- You listen to 1-2 audiobooks monthly from the Plus Catalog
- You don’t need permanent ownership of titles
- Your budget is under $10 monthly
- You enjoy discovering new content within a curated selection
- You want specific titles outside the Plus Catalog
- You listen to 2+ audiobooks monthly
- You want to build a permanent audiobook library
- You want access to exclusive member sales and discounts
- You value the flexibility of credits for any title regardless of price
For most serious audiobook listeners, Audible Premium Plus offers superior value and flexibility. The ability to own premium titles permanently, combined with access to the entire Plus Catalog and exclusive member benefits, makes it worth the additional investment for regular listeners.
For detailed guides about related topics, visit our resource center where we cover all aspects of audiobook services and membership optimization in detail.
