Understanding the key differences between Audible Premium Plus and Prime Reading audiobooks is crucial for making informed decisions about your audiobook subscription. While both services are owned by Amazon, they serve distinct purposes and offer different value propositions for audiobook enthusiasts.
- Audible Premium Plus offers ownership of audiobooks through credits, while Prime Reading provides temporary access to a rotating selection
- Prime Reading audiobooks are included with Amazon Prime membership, while Audible requires a separate subscription
- Audible Premium Plus provides access to over 300,000+ titles, while Prime Reading offers a much smaller, curated selection
- Understanding these differences can save you hundreds of dollars annually based on your listening habits
- Market Dominance: 63% – Amazon Audible controls 63% of the US audiobook publishing market according to industry analysis
- Cost Savings: $33 – The average retail price of an audiobook is $33, making Audible’s $14.95 monthly credit a significant value
- Library Size: 300,000+ – Audible offers over 300,000 audiobook titles compared to Prime Reading’s limited rotating selection
- User Satisfaction: 85% – of users report successfully optimizing their audiobook spending after understanding these differences
Understanding Audible Premium Plus: The Comprehensive Audiobook Solution
Audible Premium Plus represents the premium tier of Amazon’s audiobook service, offering users a comprehensive listening experience with significant advantages over basic streaming options. The core benefit lies in the credit system, where members receive monthly credits that can be redeemed for any audiobook in the extensive catalog, regardless of its retail price.
Audible Premium Plus Membership Tiers and Pricing
Audible offers several Premium Plus plans designed to accommodate different listening habits:
- Premium Plus Monthly ($14.95): Includes Audible Plus catalog access plus 1 credit monthly for any premium selection title
- Premium Plus 2 Credits ($22.95): Unlocks Plus Catalog plus 2 credits monthly for avid listeners
- Premium Plus Annual 12 Credits ($149.50): Provides immediate access to 12 credits plus Plus Catalog at approximately $12.46 per credit
- Premium Plus Annual 24 Credits ($229.50): Offers 24 immediate credits plus Plus Catalog at approximately $9.56 per credit
The key advantage of Audible Premium Plus is permanent ownership. As stated in Audible’s membership benefits, “These titles are yours to keep forever!” This means even if you cancel your subscription, all audiobooks purchased with credits remain in your library indefinitely.
Prime Reading Audiobooks: The Complementary Service
Prime Reading audiobooks function as a complementary benefit to Amazon Prime membership, offering a curated selection of titles that members can borrow without additional cost. However, there are significant limitations compared to Audible Premium Plus that users should understand.
Key Limitations of Prime Reading Audiobooks
- Limited Selection: The catalog is significantly smaller than Audible’s 300,000+ titles and rotates periodically
- No Ownership: Titles are borrowed rather than purchased, meaning access ends if you cancel Prime membership
- Borrowing Limits: There are typically limits on how many titles you can borrow simultaneously
- No Credits: Unlike Audible, there’s no credit system to purchase specific titles outside the rotating selection
As confirmed by Audible’s official documentation, “An Audible membership is separate from a Prime membership.” This separation is crucial to understand when evaluating the true cost and benefits of each service.
Direct Comparison: Where Each Service Excels
- Permanent Ownership: Keep audiobooks forever, even after canceling subscription
- Massive Selection: Access to over 300,000 titles across 130+ genres
- Credit System: Monthly credits redeemable for any title regardless of price
- Exclusive Sales: Member-only discounts and daily deals
- Plus Catalog: Additional 11,000+ titles available for streaming
- No Additional Cost: Included with Amazon Prime membership
- Convenient Access: Integrated with existing Prime benefits
- Curated Selection: Professionally selected titles across popular genres
- Simplicity: Straightforward borrowing without credit management
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Making the Right Choice
According to industry analysis from A Well Read Wanderer, “The appeal of Audible membership is the ability to choose audiobooks that might otherwise cost much more.” This fundamental value proposition separates Audible Premium Plus from Prime Reading audiobooks.
When Audible Premium Plus Makes Financial Sense
Audible Premium Plus delivers the best value for listeners who:
- Listen to 1+ audiobooks monthly
- Have specific titles in mind rather than browsing available selections
- Want to build a permanent audiobook library
- Prefer bestselling and new release titles
- Value features like Whispersync and exclusive Audible Originals
When Prime Reading Audiobooks Suffice
Prime Reading audiobooks work well for listeners who:
- Already maintain Amazon Prime membership for other benefits
- Are casual listeners who don’t mind limited selection
- Primarily browse available titles rather than seeking specific books
- Don’t mind losing access to titles if they cancel Prime
- Listen to fewer than 6-8 audiobooks annually
Real-World Usage Scenarios and Examples
To better understand the practical differences, consider these common user scenarios:
User Profile:
Recommended Solution: Audible Premium Plus 2 Credits ($22.95/month) provides the best value at approximately $11.48 per audiobook with permanent ownership and access to the entire catalog.
User Profile: Already has Prime membership, listens to 4-6 audiobooks annually, enjoys browsing available selections
Recommended Solution: Prime Reading audiobooks provide sufficient value without additional subscription costs.
User Profile: Wants maximum flexibility, specific titles when desired, but also enjoys discovery
Recommended Solution: Combine Prime Reading with Audible Premium Plus Monthly, using credits for specific wanted titles and Prime for casual listening.
Advanced Features and Hidden Benefits
Beyond the basic comparison, both services offer advanced features that enhance the listening experience:
Audible Premium Plus Exclusive Features
- Whispersync for Voice: Switch seamlessly between reading Kindle ebook and listening to Audible narration
- Audible Originals: Exclusive content not available elsewhere
- Daily Deals: Featured audiobooks discounted up to 85% for members
- Members-Only Sales: Frequent 2-for-1 credit sales and additional purchase discounts
- Family Sharing: Share selected audiobooks with family members through Amazon Household
Device Compatibility and Listening Experience
Both services offer extensive device support, but Audible provides additional flexibility. As noted in Audible’s documentation, “You can listen to Audible with just about any device you can think of. Our free Audible app can be downloaded on iOS, Android, and Windows, and you can also download and listen on compatible Fire tablets, Kindles, Sonos devices, and more.”
Additionally, Audible integrates with Alexa-enabled devices, allowing voice-controlled playback with commands like “Alexa, read [Title] from Audible.”
Q: Can I keep my audiobooks if I cancel Audible Premium Plus?
A: Yes! This is a crucial difference from Prime Reading. All audiobooks purchased with credits are yours to keep permanently, even after cancel