Audible is an Amazon company that offers a range of audio content, including audiobooks, radio, and TV programs. The membership service lets customers listen to audible content on their phones, tablets, or computers.
Audible has got to be one of the most popular audiobook services for a good reason. Many users hail it for its unbeatable collection of audio content and ease of use. But just like any other online service, evaluating whether it’s worth your time and money is essential.
Audible’s outstanding features include its extensive library of audio content, robust integration with Amazon, and ability to download audibles for offline use. Its content is further subdivided into Audible Plus, which has over 9,000 free audiobooks for everyone.
The second subdivision is Audible Originals, produced by Audible Studios. Other subdivisions are Audible Original Podcasts and Audible Theatre, which feature high-end production.
Audiobook Collection and Variety
Audible is one of the largest audiobooks retailers in the world. It has the most extensive catalog of audiobooks, with over 68,000 listening hours, making it the largest employer of voice-over artists in New York City.
Audible features a rich collection of audiobooks, including fiction and fantasy. It also has an exclusive selection of original audiobooks, only available on Audible. The tool allows you to enjoy bestselling titles, classics, and new releases from authors you love.
The platform has over 200,000 audiobooks, most of which are bestsellers or classics. The platform has over 11,000 titles, drawing its content from documentaries, comedy, self-development, or journalism.
The audiobook selection on Audible is guided by customer experience. Whether you are looking for chart-topping bestsellers, single narrations, immersive audio thrill rides, or surprising hidden games, Audible promises quality.
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Subscription Plan and Pricing
Many users regard Audible as a shop. Whether you have a subscription plan or not, you can buy any audiobook from the platform for up to $40 or even more. Audiobook pricing is determined by the book’s length, demand, or presence of a celebrity narrator.
Audible features exciting membership and pricing plans to access thousands of genre-bending originals, exclusive audiobooks, and worthy podcasts from $7.65 monthly. The subscription plans vary worldwide regarding costs, features, and naming.
In the United States, Audible offers two plans. Audible Plus and Audible Plus Premium. Audible Plus costs $7.95 monthly to access all you want, including audiobooks, originals, podcasts, sleep tracks, or meditation programs. It has a 30-day free trial, which you can cancel anytime.
Audible Plus is limited. While the plan gives you access to Audible Originals, it only limits you to temporary downloads for offline listening. Downloaded books are only valid as long as your subscription lasts. The plan also lacks discounts or credits.
The good news is that you can do more with Audible Premium Plus for $14.95 monthly. The plan also has a 30-day free trial, which you can cancel anytime.
With Premium Plus, you can access all that is in Audible Plus with an additional title per month from Audible’s extensive collection of new releases and bestselling titles. You also get to enjoy a 30% discount on other premium titles.
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Audible Premium Plus members receive credits as part of their membership benefits. You can use credits to purchase audiobooks, regardless of their prices. Audible Plus members are not entitled to credits but can get audiobooks through one-off purchases or upgrade to Premium Plus.
If you are an avid reader, you can upgrade to get two credits for $22.95 per month.
You can quickly identify audiobooks that can be purchased with credits as they have a 1-credit banner against their titles. As a Premium Plus member, you have a full year to redeem your credits.
Additionally, you gain instant access to Audible’s world-class customer service team if you need help finding overlooked gems. You can use the unused credits to give audiobooks to friends and family.
But the best news is that credits purchased through AppStore for iOS or Google PlayStore for Android do not expire, meaning you will have them even after cancellation.
Considering the Audible benefits discussed herein, it is safe to conclude that Audible is an affordable platform. If you are keen on saving, you can opt for a yearly subscription to save up to 17%.
You can subscribe to Audible Premium Plus (12 credits) for $149.50 per year or opt for Audible Premium Plus (24 credits) for $229.50 per year. However, these prices may change. Therefore, make sure you confirm the latest prices before committing.
As mentioned earlier, the two plans allow you to cancel anytime. However, it is essential to do it the right way. To cancel your subscription:
- Click on your profile
- Select Account
- Go to Manage Membership
- Select Cancel Membership
- Audible gives you an option to either cancel or pause your subscription. Choose what suits your needs.
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User Experience and App Functionality
Audible has got to be the world’s most popular audiobook service available. Many users hail the platform because it allows them to listen to audiobooks from an unbeatable collection. But what stands out about Audible is the flawless app experience.
The Audible app, available for iOS and Android, is an excellent blend of simplicity and functionality. The free app gives you an Audible Plus catalog of audio originals.
With the Audible app, you can queue up your favorite audio and adjust the listening speed to enjoy captivating storytelling.
The Audible app is an oasis of immersive entertainment. Whether you are a fan of gripping tales, eye-opening podcasts, or looking for daily inspiration, the Audible app will give you just that and so much more.
Some of the notable features of the Audible app include the car mode that lets you use it while driving. The book-sharing feature enables you to send a book to a friend or share your reading progress.
You can make notes or save audio clips through the Audible app’s Bookmarks, Clips, and Notes. The Sleep Timer ensures that your audiobook does not play all night, while the Variable Speed Playback feature helps you digest a long book faster.
Other features you will notice while using the app include the Homepage, which has new book recommendations, the audios you’ve been listening to, and subscription options if you have yet to subscribe.
The app gives you access to a library of audiobooks, while the Discover section helps you explore new audio. Your profile highlights your achievements, account details, and customer support, among other things.
You’ll also notice a car icon at the top right of the app, which puts you in driving mode. Driving mode takes over the screen and only allows you to play, rewind, or bookmark.
Next to the car icon, you get the menu icon, which gives you access to title options and details to share or provide a rating.
You can switch from reading books and having an immersive listening experience, curate a playlist of your favorite podcasts and audiobooks for later listening, or adjust narration speeds up to 3.5 times.
The Audible app is rated 4.6 on Google PlayStore. It is no wonder it is popular among Android users, who praise it for a seamless experience with endless options. Users are also happy with Audible’s sound quality, although many complain about its price.
Users are also not happy with the app crashing occasionally, although it gets better with continuous use.
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Audio Quality and Narration
Audible’s audio quality comes in two forms: enhanced and format 4. If you are more concerned about storage than quality, format 4 is ideal as it only has a 32 kbps bitrate.
If you choose quality over anything else, go for the enhanced format at 64 kbps. It all improves with Audible’s extended quality of 128 Kbps, which promises a better listening experience.
You must note that you cannot convert Audible audio files to any other format, including MP3.
Audible adheres to quality standards by using robust security technologies to protect the intellectual property rights of its content creators and authors. The technology also ensures that you get a superior and unmatched listening experience.
Some users report playback issues after downloading audio. Changing the download quality can help resolve such issues.
If using the mobile app, you can change the download quality via settings, go to data, and then click on the storage page. Choose either standard or high quality.
Audible regards narration as a professional act and not just a hobby. Audible narrators are highly skilled and experienced. They are typically trained voiceover artists or actors who can use their voices to evoke different emotions, create characters, and engage listeners.
Audible is committed to quality. In a recent article, Kat Lambrix explains the professional traits and skills they look for in a narrator. Narrators take their work seriously by carefully recording and editing it to the highest quality.
Audible narrators understand how voice quality, characterization, and emphasis affect the overall listening experience of users. For this reason, they are communicative and reliable. They are also responsive to feedback.
The platform is also committed to amplifying stories and live experiences of marginalized voices. Audible is known to curate editorial experiences to raise awareness of stories around women activists fighting for justice and immigrants and refugees rewriting their history.
Audible produces innovative and original content. Audible Originals have won numerous awards, while writers, performers, and producers remain committed to exploring and experimenting with new creative possibilities.
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Offline Listening and Device Compatibility
One of the biggest concerns of Audible users is whether they can listen to their favorite podcasts or audiobooks offline. And yes, it is possible!
You only need to download your purchased book through the Audible app and enjoy offline reading while traveling, commuting, or exercising.
As an Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus member, you can download Plus titles from the app with these simple steps:
- Open your Audible app and click Home.
- Browse through the title selection and choose a title with “included badge.”
- Select Add to Gallery.
- Go to the Library and click on the title to download.
However, you cannot download Plus titles from your Audible Desktop library or any other Audible Sync app.
The great news is that Audible is compatible with multiple devices. The free Audible app, for instance, is available on iOS, Android, and Fire Tablets. The app is feature-rich and gives you an easy and convenient listening experience.
It’s essential to note that with advanced technology, Audible no longer supports Kindle Keyboard and Kindle Touch. If your Kindle is functional, you can continue listening to audiobooks. However, Audible will not offer support if you need it.
You can stream titles from your library on Windows or Mac computers. Audible is also compatible with Alexa Devices, Kindle Paperwhite 10th Generation, Kindle Oasis 8th to 10th Generations, and Fire Tablets running on OS 5 and above, among other devices.
Audible’s seamless syncing across devices allows you to start listening to your audiobooks on one device and continue from where you left off on a different device.
So, whether you prefer a smartphone, tablet, or computer, rest assured that your listening progress stays current.
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Member Benefits and Extras
As mentioned earlier, Audible membership gives you multiple exclusive benefits to add value to your listening experience. If you love shorter content and podcasts, Audible Plus is the ideal Audible Plan for you.
Audible Plus is an excellent plan to explore new things, including Audible Originals and audiobooks. You can also stream the Audible Plus catalog for offline listening from the app. New titles are added every week, so you can be sure of finding something new.
Audible Premium Plus is an advanced membership plan that gives unlimited streaming from the Plus Catalog, credits to buy titles from the premium selection, and exclusive deals and discounts on extra purchases.
Audible Premium Plus is an ideal plan for anyone looking to keep titles they purchase with a credit card or wish to stay aware of new releases or latest bestsellers. The plan gives you access to thousands of Audible Originals, podcasts, audiobooks, and exclusive series.
One common feature in both plans is Audible Originals. Audible Originals are exclusive audio titles created by renowned storytellers from diverse worlds, including journalism, theater, literature, and more, and produced by Audible Studios.
Whispersync is another crucial feature that you’ll notice with Audible plans. The Whispersync for voice feature allows you to seamlessly switch between reading on Kindle and listening on Audible or both. Titles with Whispersync for voice have a book and headphone icon.
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Audible membership’s value depends on your reading and listening needs and habits. Plan to use the subscription frequently. It will be significant since you’ll have exclusive discounts and deals, unlimited audiobook access, and easy listening on multiple devices.
But if you plan to use Audible sparingly, you can opt to buy audiobooks on a pay-per-book basis.
Customer Support and Satisfaction
For a service that spans the globe, customer support and Satisfaction are some of the most crucial aspects of the business. It is never about understanding customer problems but also understanding why it matters to them.
Audible draws expertise from various geographical locations to successful customers across different time zones. The successful process is necessitated by a dedicated team who are patient, empathetic, and always ready to lend a listening ear.
Even during the pandemic, when companies were forced to change work parameters to adapt to new technologies and processes, Audible maintained an unmatched level of customer support.
You can get help from Audible through its Contact Us page. Audible can only action your query if you reach out through the contact link, so make sure you adhere to it to get prompt help.
Comparison with Other Audiobook Platforms
Audible is similar to most audiobook platforms like Scribd, Kobo, Google Audiobooks, and Blinkist. These platforms can be accessed on multiple devices through a web browser or app. However, Audible’s unique features place it ahead of most audiobook platforms.
For instance, Audible and Scribd’s key difference is their audio quality. With Audible, you can rest assured of a higher audio quality, a more extensive audiobook library, and options to own audiobooks forever.
While Audible offers two subscription plans (Audible Plus at $7.95 and Audible Premium Plus at $14.95), Scribd only offers a single subscription plan for $11.99 to access thousands of bestsellers and reader favorites.
Some users fault Audible for its higher cost and that some titles may not be available in some regions. But overall, Audible has an unbeatable selection of audiobooks, meaning you can access almost all the books you want.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Some users regard Audible as costly, but looking at the convenience of downloading and listening to audio clips on various devices justifies the cost. Audible also has a vast collection of audio content, meaning you won’t be listening to one thing from time to time.
Audible gives you the value of what you pay for. Its personalized recommendations and curated playlists can help you discover a lot more and learn more. Additionally. Audible is entertaining!
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Is Audible Worth it?
By now, you understand what Audible is and its benefits. The only question remains whether the platform is worth its price. And yes! Audible is worth it.
As discussed earlier, Audible is an incredible resource for avid readers and audiobook listeners.
If you can pay the above amount for a platform that will give you better sleep, help you manage stress, and give you happiness and success, then the platform is 100% worth considering.
The best part is that all membership plans offer a 30-day free trial. So take advantage of it to try out the service and only commit if it meets your listening needs.
As a Premium Plus member, you are entitled to credits that expire after a year. Use them to acquire that exciting audiobook.
I hope this review will help you make the right decision. Happy listening!
