In today's digital age, subscription services have become an integral part of our daily lives, often adding up on our monthly bank statements. Therefore, it's crucial to periodically review these commitments and identify areas for potential savings. For enthusiasts of literature and podcasts, two prominent Amazon offerings come to mind: Kindle Plus (formerly Kindle Unlimited) and Audible. The question then arises: is it truly necessary to subscribe to both, or does one option better cater to individual preferences?
To assist in this decision, we will delineate the distinctions between Amazon's Kindle Plus and Audible subscription services, offering guidance on which service is likely to be a more suitable choice for you. Additionally, for those interested in e-reading devices, we recommend consulting reviews of the top Amazon Kindles and other leading e-readers.
Kindle Plus offers access to an expansive library of digital books, audiobooks, and magazines for a monthly fee of £9.49/$11.99. This service operates on a rolling subscription model, allowing cancellation at any time. Essentially, Kindle Plus functions as a borrowing service, akin to a digital library, but with the added flexibility of retaining up to 20 titles in your personal library indefinitely. Users are only required to return a title once they wish to add another beyond this limit. While specifically designed for Kindles, the content is also accessible via the free Kindle application on iOS, Android devices, and personal computers.
Audible, in contrast, focuses exclusively on audio content, providing a vast collection of over 800,000 audiobooks and podcasts. Subscribers can download audiobooks for offline playback, adjust listening speeds, and seamlessly switch between various connected devices. An added benefit for Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers is the integration of Audible services. Similar to Kindle Plus, Audible can be enjoyed on Amazon's proprietary devices, as well as through its dedicated iOS and Android smartphone applications.
Audible presents a more intricate subscription structure. The Standard plan, priced at £5.99/$8.99 monthly, grants subscribers one audiobook of their choice each month from a selection of over 900,000 titles, which they retain as long as their subscription is active. This plan also includes unlimited access to podcasts. The Premium subscription, available monthly for £8.99/$14.99 or annually, offers one monthly audiobook credit to keep, plus unlimited access to Audible's extensive catalogue of over 15,000 audiobooks and podcasts. UK residents can opt for annual plans, such as 12 credits for £69.99 or 24 credits for £109.99, allowing the redemption of audiobooks throughout the year. It is important to note that these credits can accumulate but may eventually expire.
For individuals who primarily enjoy reading physical books or a combination of reading and listening to audiobooks, Kindle Plus represents a straightforward and excellent value proposition. Its simpler subscription model, coupled with access to a wide array of audio content, makes it a compelling choice. Conversely, if your primary interest lies in audio-only content such as audiobooks and podcasts, Audible is the superior option, boasting an unparalleled collection of premium audio experiences. However, it is prudent to confirm whether Audible is already included with your Amazon Music Unlimited subscription to avoid duplicate payments.
