8 Best Audiobook Subscription Services 2022

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Many audiobook subscriptions claim to offer the same service. It can be difficult to find the right service for you, your lifestyle and your budget. We can help you find the right service for you. We’ve compiled a list of the top audiobook subscription services. Here’s the scoop on what makes them unique (or not). Also, we have some pros and cons.

These services can be used to buy multiple books at once, or to provide unlimited access to audiobooks if your subscription allows. Some titles you will recognize, others you might not.

Let’s now look at the top audiobook subscription services that will meet all of your audiobook needs.

1. AUDIBLE

Audible is a well-known audiobook subscription service that’s ranked high. A monthly subscription gives you access to a wide range of audiobooks in two main membership types: Audible Plus or Audible Premium Plus. Users receive a credit each month that can be used for audiobooks in Audible’s catalogue. You can purchase additional books by purchasing more credits. You can also use Audible without a subscription. Books can be purchased book-by-book.

Learn more about Audible, and get our review of the Audible service.

The pros: A large selection of exclusive content for members (Audible Originals), your purchased titles can be yours even after you cancel your subscription. Credits can also be kept up to one year.

Cons: More expensive option. Credits that you have not used when you cancel will be lost.

Subscription price:Audible Plus allows you to access select Originals, audiobooks and podcasts at $7.95 per Month (after a 30-day free trial). After a 30-day free trial, Audible Premium Plus costs $14.95 and gives you access to one title each month from an extensive selection. You can keep it.

2. SCRIBD

Scribd is not a credit system. Instead, you can think of it as a Netflix for audiobooks and a host of other media. Scribd claims to be the largest digital library and is dedicated to using the written word in order for the world’s reading experience to improve. Scribd began as a document sharing service, but it has grown to be one of the most popular platforms for audiobooks. Scribd memberships include access to other platforms like Pocket, MUBI and FarFaria. Users can upload documents to Scribd to continue its roots. You can still find audiobooks, books, magazines, podcasts and sheet music there. One easy subscription

You can read our review to learn more about Scribd’s service.

Advantages: Unlimited Access to Audiobooks, Ebooks, Sheet Music, Magazines, and More, at a Lower Price Point.

Cons:Unlimited is accompanied by a small asterisk. You lose access to the library if you cancel your subscription. This is due to the popularity and consumption of the title. The library is not regularly updated.

Subscription price: 30 days free trial is available. Membership costs only $11.99 per month.

Trial? 30 days free access.

3. AUDIOBOOKS.COM

Similar to the previous setup, users receive monthly credits which can be used for audiobooks of their choice. Their VIP selection is a recent addition to the subscription model. You can download around 150 books from different genres each month for free, in addition to your monthly credit. Not all VIP selections can be kept and will be returned to you if cancelled. If you need another book, additional books can be purchased during the month.

Audiobooks.com is unique among other services like Audible because it offers unlimited access to over 72,000 podcasts.

Advantages: All titles purchased are yours to keep. Access to podcasts is also available. The library is comparable with Audible.

Cons: VIP Books accessed through a subscription are returned. To keep it, you must purchase with credit.

Subscription price: $14.95 per month, which includes one credit as well as access to a VIP Book from a curated selection.

Free Trial? 30 Day Free Trial Includes Two Books and a Bonus VIP Book

4. BLINKIST

Nonfiction lovers, unite! This subscription offers you an unparalleled experience that combines efficiency and accessibility. You can find nonfiction titles like business, self-help and mindfulness books. They are also professionally summarized into audiobooks that last 15 minutes for easy comprehension. If you prefer to read the book in its entirety, you can also request a written summary. Blinkist has over 5,000 bestselling titles, as well as exclusive content insights from podcasts that are available to members.

Pros Unlimited Listening for a Flat Rate, Time-efficient for those who have difficulty finding time to read

Cons: A subscription is required to gain access to the books.

Subscription price:Blinkist offers a basic plan for free that allows users to access one summary (or Blink) per day. The 15-minute summaries are efficient, but you often want more. This is why the paid tiers are available. You can upgrade to a premium plan for $15.99 per month and get unlimited summaries. You can also pay in advance for a year, $99.99. This will give you a 45% discount on the total monthly payments.

Trial? 7 days free trial with the premium yearly subscription.

5. CHIRP

Chirp is the perfect combination of an audiobook subscription and a library. Chirp is a library without membership fees. It’s also budget-friendly. However, as a subscription, you can access titles immediately and keep them. The subscription part is where the magic happens. It’s technically an email subscription. Signing up for Chirp will result in a survey which indicates the email digest with the best deals. To find books that you missed out on alerts, you can browse the website.

The pros: Personal emails with titles that you might be interested in. Great for finding deals, low price, and being able to return it for a full refund.

Cons

Subscription price: Emails can be signed up for free and titles are available on a case by case basis.

Chirp has one of the most popular audiobook subscriptions services, based on its free sign up options. You can read our complete review of Chirp’s service .

6. DOWNPOUR

Downpour, a service of Blackstone Audio, hosts 75,000 titles in a variety genres. The service also offers digital rentals, CDs, MP3s and digital rentals. These can be purchased directly without a subscription. Uniquely, Downpour’s content can be used across multiple platforms and even burned to CDs. That is still a popular practice.

Blackstone Audio is a prominent player in the audiobook market. It was founded in 1987 to provide books in the form CDs and MP3s.

Advantages: You can still access your library, even if your subscription is cancelled.

No free trial. Some books require two credits. Only one subscription level is available, so there’s no flexibility to meet individual needs.

Subscription price: One credit is $12.99 per month. Additional credits can be purchased at $12.99 per credit, or you can combine them with another form payment.

Trial? No more.

7. KOBO

Kobo has over 5 million titles in its library. This makes it a cost-effective option to search for e-books as well as a carefully curated selection of audiobooks. Kobo, a parent company Rakuten, was originally known for their ebooks and tablets. In 2017, Kobo entered the audiobook subscription market. You can keep the titles you have purchased, even if your subscription is terminated.

The guaranteed price of preorders for audiobooks, and a great subscription price to credits.

Cons Availability of subscriptions will also depend on where you are located. Mexico is currently not able to purchase audiobook plans.

Subscription price: $9.99 per month with a 30-day free trial

A free 30-day trial is offered to subscribers as part of a subscription. Your card will be charged if your account is not cancelled before the 30 day period ends. Quebec residents get two audiobook credits for free instead of the 30-day trial.

8. LIBRO.FM

Libro.fm works in a similar way to Audible, both in terms of size and process. However, there is one major difference: you can designate a portion to an independent bookstore of choice with every purchase. This is a great way for indies to be supported even if you purchase digital audiobooks. They have 250,000+ titles in their library and almost all bestsellers and new releases.

Libro.fm is unique in that it offers book clubs. Currently there are three: YA Club for kids, Kids Club for teens, and Kiss Club for romance readers. These book clubs do not require a monthly monetary commitment, but members can get titles at a discounted rate. These titles can be purchased or participated in by anyone, regardless of whether they are active members.

Audiobooks prices can vary from publisher to publisher. However, additional titles can be purchased at 30% off their list price. Similar to Downpour audiobooks, all audiobooks can be accessed in DRM-free format. This allows you to access the titles you choose.

The pros: A robust sales section with extremely marked down titles. Titles can be returned, but you will need to contact them. Credits are non-expired and can be used to purchase gifts or share them with others. Credits can be used for purchases in the iOS App.

Cons: At this time, in-app purchases are not possible. Memberships can only be purchased with credit cards issued in the United States or Canada.

Subscription price: $14.99 per Month for one credit

Trial? None.

Happy listening, Rioters! What audiobook subscription service interests you most?