Choosing between Audible Plus and Premium Plus can significantly impact your annual audiobook budget. With Amazon Audible controlling 63% of the US audiobook publishing market, understanding these plans is crucial for smart spending. This comprehensive guide breaks down the costs, benefits, and hidden savings opportunities to help you make the most informed decision.
- Annual Premium Plus saves up to 36% compared to monthly plans
- Audible Plus costs $95.40 yearly vs Premium Plus at $179.40 – but credits change the value equation
- Premium Plus members save an additional 30% on extra audiobook purchases
- Credits expire after one year, requiring strategic planning for maximum value
- The Plus Catalog includes 11,000+ titles available for unlimited listening
- Market Dominance: 63% – of US audiobook market controlled by Audible
- Average Audiobook Price: $33 – retail price vs $14.95 monthly membership
- Plus Catalog Size: 11,000+ – titles available for unlimited streaming
- Genre Variety: 130+ – audiobook genres and microgenres available
- Annual Savings: 36% – maximum discount with annual Premium Plus plans
Understanding Audible’s Core Membership Plans
Audible offers two primary membership types with distinct benefits and pricing structures. Understanding these differences is essential for calculating your potential yearly savings.
Pro Tip: Most new members qualify for a 30-day free trial of either Audible Plus or Audible Premium Plus. This allows you to test the service before committing to a paid membership.
Audible Plus: The Budget-Friendly Streaming Option
Audible Plus functions like a streaming library for audiobooks. For $7.95 per month ($95.40 annually), you get unlimited access to the Plus Catalog’s 11,000+ titles. This plan is ideal for listeners who:
- Enjoy discovering new authors and titles without specific book preferences
- Listen to multiple books per month and want unlimited streaming
- Don’t need permanent ownership of audiobooks
- Want the most budget-friendly Audible option at $95.40 per year
Important Consideration: When you cancel your Audible Plus membership, you lose access to all Plus Catalog titles. None of these books are yours to keep permanently.
Audible Premium Plus: Ownership with Streaming Benefits
Audible Premium Plus combines the Plus Catalog access with monthly credits that let you purchase audiobooks permanently. At $14.95 monthly ($179.40 annually), this plan provides:
- One credit monthly to redeem any premium audiobook (yours to keep forever)
- Full access to the 11,000+ title Plus Catalog
- 30% discount on additional audiobook purchases
- Access to exclusive sales and Daily Deals
- 2-for-1 credit sales and special member promotions
The key advantage here is permanent ownership. Even if you cancel your membership, all books purchased with credits remain in your library indefinitely.
Annual Plan Breakdown: Crunching the Numbers
When evaluating yearly savings, Audible’s annual Premium Plus plans offer the most significant discounts for committed listeners.
| Plan Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Credits Per Year | Cost Per Credit | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audible Plus | $7.95 | $95.40 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
| Premium Plus Monthly | $14.95 | $179.40 | 12 | $14.95 | Base Rate |
| Premium Plus Annual (12 credits) | $12.46* | $149.50 | 12 | $12.46 | 16.7% |
| Premium Plus Annual (24 credits) | $9.56* | $229.50 | 24 | $9.56 | 36.1% |
*Equivalent monthly cost when calculated annually
Advanced Savings Strategy: The 24-credit annual plan at $229.50 provides credits at just $9.56 each – significantly below the average audiobook price of $33. This represents the best value for avid listeners who know they’ll use all credits within the year.
Real-World Scenarios: Which Plan Saves You More?
Your listening habits ultimately determine which Audible plan provides the best yearly value. Let’s examine common user profiles:
The Casual Listener (1-2 Books Monthly)
If you typically listen to 1-2 books per month and aren’t particular about specific titles, Audible Plus at $95.40 annually provides excellent value. You can stream unlimited books from the Plus Catalog without worrying about credits or ownership.
The Avid Reader (3+ Books Monthly)
For listeners who go through multiple books monthly and want to build a permanent library, Premium Plus Annual (24 credits) at $229.50 offers the best long-term value. At $9.56 per credit, you’re paying significantly less than retail prices, plus you get Plus Catalog access and member discounts.
The Strategic Saver (Mix of Methods)
Savvy listeners combine Audible membership with Whispersync deals where buying the Kindle ebook first can make the audiobook companion as low as $1.99-$3.99. This approach works best with Premium Plus for the member discount on additional purchases.
- Member-Only Sales: Premium Plus members access exclusive 2-for-1 credit sales and daily deals
- Additional Discounts: 30% off non-credit purchases adds significant savings over time
- Credit Expiration: Credits last one year, allowing strategic accumulation for series purchases
- Free Originals: Monthly rotating selection of free Audible Originals for all members
Advanced Cost-Saving Strategies
Beyond choosing the right plan, these proven strategies can maximize your Audible savings:
Whispersync for Voice Optimization
Many users don’t realize that buying Kindle ebooks first can dramatically reduce audiobook costs. For example, when Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen has its Kindle version on sale for $1.99, adding the Audible narration costs only $3.95 – a total of $5.94 instead of using a $14.95 credit.
Credit Timing Strategy
Since credits expire one year after issue, time your membership to accumulate credits before major series releases or when anticipating increased listening time during vacations.
Plan Downgrading
Consider switching to Audible Plus during months when you’re busy or have plenty of Plus Catalog options, then upgrading to Premium Plus when you need specific new releases.
Device Compatibility and Listening Experience
All Audible plans offer the same excellent cross-device compatibility. You can listen on iOS, Android, Windows devices, compatible Fire tablets, Kindles, Sonos devices, and more. The free Audible app provides features like:
- Unlimited rewinds and chapter navigation
- Offline listening through downloads
- Sleep timer functionality
- Bookmarking and note-taking capabilities
- Seamless switching between devices
According to Audible’s comprehensive membership guide, the service is designed for listeners who want flexibility in how and where they enjoy audiobooks.
Q: Can I keep my audiobooks if I cancel my Audible membership?
A: Yes, but with an important distinction. Books purchased with credits are yours to keep forever. However