Confused about whether Audible Premium Plus is better than the regular Audible Plus membership? You’re not alone. With millions of audiobook listeners worldwide and Amazon Audible controlling 63% of the US audiobook publishing market, choosing the right subscription can significantly impact your listening experience and budget. We break down the key differences, provide detailed examples, and help you make an informed decision.
- Cost Analysis: Audible Plus costs $7.95/month while Premium Plus starts at $14.95/month with significant annual savings available
- Content Access: Premium Plus includes the entire Plus Catalog PLUS credits to own premium titles forever
- Value Proposition: Considering the average audiobook retails at $33, Premium Plus offers substantial savings for regular listeners
- Flexibility: Both plans offer free trials and easy cancellation, but Premium Plus provides permanent ownership of purchased titles
- Market Dominance: 63% – of US audiobook market controlled by Audible
- Content Library: 11,000+ – titles available in the Audible Plus Catalog
- Genre Variety: 130+ – audiobook genres and microgenres available
- Cost Savings: 55% – average savings compared to retail audiobook prices
- User Satisfaction: 85% – of Premium Plus users report excellent value
Understanding the Core Differences: Audible Plus vs. Premium Plus
When evaluating whether Audible Premium Plus is better than the regular Audible Plus membership, it’s essential to understand the fundamental differences between these two popular subscription models. Both plans serve different listener needs and budgets, making the “better” choice entirely dependent on your listening habits and preferences.
Audible Plus: The Streaming-Only Option
Audible Plus operates similarly to a streaming service for audiobooks. For $7.95 per month, you get unlimited access to the entire Plus Catalog, which includes over 11,000 titles across 130+ genres. This plan is perfect for listeners who:
- Enjoy discovering new authors and titles without specific must-have books in mind
- Listen to multiple books per month and want unlimited streaming access
- Prefer a lower monthly commitment without long-term ownership concerns
- Want to explore Audible’s content before committing to a more expensive plan
Audible Premium Plus: The Complete Audiobook Solution
Audible Premium Plus combines the best of both worlds: unlimited streaming from the Plus Catalog PLUS monthly credits to purchase premium titles that you keep forever. Starting at $14.95 per month, this plan offers:
- One credit monthly to redeem any premium audiobook (regardless of retail price)
- Full access to the 11,000+ title Plus Catalog for unlimited streaming
- Exclusive member discounts on additional audiobook purchases
- Access to daily deals and special member-only sales
- Permanent ownership of all titles purchased with credits
| Feature | Audible Plus | Audible Premium Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $7.95 | $14.95 (Monthly) $149.50 (Annual) $22.95 (2 Credits) |
| Plus Catalog Access | ✓ Unlimited | ✓ Unlimited |
| Monthly Credits | None | 1-2 Credits (depending on plan) |
| Title Ownership | Access only while member | Keep credits-purchased titles forever |
| Member Discounts | Limited | Up to 80% off additional titles |
| Free Trial | 30 days | 30 days |
Real-World Value Analysis: When Each Plan Makes Sense
To truly understand which plan is better for your situation, let’s examine some practical scenarios with detailed cost-benefit analysis.
Profile: Listens to 1-2 audiobooks monthly, enjoys discovering new content, not concerned with building a permanent library.
Best Choice: Audible Plus at $7.95/month
Why: With access to 11,000+ titles, casual listeners can explore extensively without additional costs. At less than half the price of Premium Plus, this represents excellent value for those who don’t need specific titles.
Profile: Listens to multiple books monthly, has specific titles in mind, wants to build a permanent audiobook collection.
Best Choice: Audible Premium Plus at $14.95/month
Why: Considering the average audiobook retails at $33, one credit essentially pays for the monthly subscription. Additional savings through member discounts and daily deals provide exceptional value for frequent listeners.
Profile: Listens to 3+ books monthly, wants maximum flexibility and the best long-term value.
Best Choice: Premium Plus Annual (24 credits) at $229.50/year
Why: At approximately $9.56 per credit plus unlimited Plus Catalog access, this represents the best value per audiobook. Perfect for those who know they’ll use the service consistently throughout the year.
Advanced Features and Hidden Benefits
Beyond the basic comparisons, both Audible plans offer sophisticated features that enhance the listening experience. Understanding these can help you maximize your membership regardless of which plan you choose.
Credit Management and Expiration
One of the most important aspects of Premium Plus is credit management. Credits expire one year after issuance, which means you need to be strategic about when and how you use them. Many users don’t realize that credits can be used on any title regardless of price – including audiobooks that retail for $50 or more.
The Audible Plus Catalog: More Than Just Backlist Titles
While some assume the Plus Catalog only contains older or less popular titles, this is increasingly untrue. Audible regularly adds new content, including Audible Originals – exclusive productions you can’t find anywhere else. The catalog also features complete series, celebrity-narrated classics, and trending titles across all genres.
Device Compatibility and Listening Features
Both plans offer identical technical features including:
- Unlimited rewinds and chapter navigation
- Offline listening capabilities
- Cross-device synchronization
- Variable speed playback (from 0.5x to 3.5x)
- Sleep timer functionality
- Compatibility with iOS, Android, Windows, Fire tablets, Kindles, and Sonos devices
Financial Breakdown: Calculating Your Actual Savings
Let’s examine the mathematical advantage of each plan using real pricing data. The average audiobook retails for $33, but premium titles can cost significantly more.
- Audible Plus: $95.40 annually ($7.95 × 12 months)
- Premium Plus Monthly: $179.40 annually ($14.95 × 12 months)
- Premium Plus Annual (12 credits): $149.50 (save $29.90 vs monthly)
- Premium Plus Annual (24 credits): $229.50 ($9.56 per credit)
When you factor in that each credit can be used on titles costing $20-$50, the value proposition becomes clear. For Premium Plus members who use all their credits, the