Discover the truth about what’s the difference between Audible Plus and Premium Plus with our unbiased, research-backed analysis. With Amazon Audible controlling 63% of the US audiobook publishing market, understanding these subscription options is crucial for making an informed decision about your audiobook listening experience.
- Audible Plus offers unlimited access to 11,000+ titles for $7.95/month
- Audible Premium Plus includes the Plus Catalog plus monthly credits starting at $14.95/month
- Credits let you purchase any audiobook regardless of price and keep it forever
- Premium Plus members get exclusive discounts and access to daily deals
- Annual plans offer significant savings for dedicated listeners
- Market Dominance: 63% – Amazon Audible controls the majority of the US audiobook market
- Cost Savings: $33 – Average retail price of an audiobook vs $14.95 monthly membership
- Content Library: 11,000+ – Titles available in the Audible Plus Catalog
- Genre Variety: 130+ – Audiobook genres and microgenres available
Understanding Audible’s Core Membership Options
Audible offers two primary membership tiers that cater to different listening preferences and budgets. Understanding these options is essential for choosing the right plan for your audiobook consumption habits.
Audible Plus: The Budget-Friendly Streaming Option
Audible Plus serves as the entry-level membership at $7.95 per month. Think of it as getting a library card to Amazon’s Audible Plus catalog. For your monthly fee, you gain unlimited access to over 11,000 titles including Audible Originals, podcasts, and popular audiobooks. However, there are important limitations to consider:
- No Ownership: You don’t actually “own” any audiobooks – access disappears if you cancel
- Limited Selection: While 11,000 titles sounds substantial, it represents only a fraction of Audible’s full catalog
- Rotating Library: Titles are added and removed monthly, with one-month warnings before removal
- No Credits: This plan doesn’t include monthly credits for premium selections
Audible Premium Plus: The Complete Audiobook Experience
Audible Premium Plus builds upon the Plus foundation by adding crucial features for serious audiobook enthusiasts. Starting at $14.95 per month, this plan includes:
- Monthly Credits: 1 credit per month to redeem any premium title (yours to keep forever)
- Plus Catalog Access: Full unlimited access to the 11,000+ title streaming library
- Exclusive Discounts: 30% off additional purchases and access to member-only sales
- Daily Deals: Special discounted titles available only to Premium Plus members
The credit system is particularly valuable because each credit can be used to purchase any audiobook in Audible’s extensive catalog, regardless of its retail price. Considering the average audiobook costs $33, this represents significant savings for regular listeners.
Detailed Plan Comparison and Pricing
| Feature | Audible Plus | Audible Premium Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $7.95/month | $14.95/month (1 credit) $22.95/month (2 credits) |
| Annual Cost | Not Available | $149.50/year (12 credits) $229.50/year (24 credits) |
| Plus Catalog Access | ✓ Unlimited | ✓ Unlimited |
| Monthly Credits | None | 1-2 credits (depending on plan) |
| Keep Audiobooks Forever | No | Yes (credit purchases) |
| Exclusive Discounts | No | 30% off + member sales |
| Free Trial | 30 days | 30 days + 1-2 free books |
- Expiration: Credits expire one year after issue date
- Stacking: You can accumulate up to 6 credits before being required to use them
- Additional Credits: Members occasionally receive offers to purchase extra credits at discounted rates
- Best Value: Use credits on expensive titles (typically $20+) for maximum savings
Advanced Premium Plus Tiers and Annual Plans
For power listeners, Audible offers expanded Premium Plus options that provide better value through bulk credit purchases and annual subscriptions.
Two-Credit Monthly Plan ($22.95/month)
This plan doubles your monthly credits while maintaining access to the Plus Catalog. At $11.48 per credit, it offers better per-credit value than the single-credit plan and is ideal for listeners who consistently consume 2+ audiobooks monthly.
Annual Subscription Options
Annual plans provide the best value for committed Audible users:
- 12-Credit Annual ($149.50): Equivalent to $12.45 per month – perfect for consistent monthly listeners
- 24-Credit Annual ($229.50): Equivalent to $19.10 per month – ideal for binge listeners or those building extensive libraries
Device Compatibility and Listening Experience
Both Audible Plus and Premium Plus members enjoy comprehensive device support across multiple platforms:
- Mobile Apps: iOS, Android, and Windows applications with offline listening
- Smart Speakers: Alexa-enabled devices with voice commands (“Alexa, read [Title] from Audible”)
- E-readers: Compatible with Fire tablets and Kindles
- Home Audio: Sonos device integration
- Car Systems: Bluetooth and CarPlay compatibility
All plans include unlimited rewinds, chapter navigation, sleep timers, and variable speed playback (from 0.5x to 3.5x). Premium Plus members additionally benefit from Whispersync for Voice, which synchronizes your position across devices and allows seamless switching between reading and listening when you own both the Kindle and Audible versions.
- Permanent Ownership: Books purchased with credits remain accessible even after cancellation
- Cost Efficiency: At $14.95 per credit vs. $33 average book price, savings accumulate quickly
- Flexible Listening: Combine streaming from Plus Catalog with permanent premium purchases
- Exclusive Content: Access to member-only sales and daily deals not available to Plus subscribers
- Credit Banking: Ability to save credits for expensive new releases or box sets
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I keep my audiobooks if I cancel my Audible membership?
A: This depends on your plan. With Audible Plus, you lose access to all content upon cancellation. With Premium Plus, any books purchased with credits are yours to keep forever, even after cancellation. The Plus Catalog streaming content becomes inaccessible when your membership ends.
Q: Is Audible included with Amazon Prime?
A: No, Audible membership is separate from Amazon Prime. However, Prime members sometimes receive extended free trials or additional promotional benefits when signing up for Audible.
Q: How does the free trial