Audible review
Audiobooks, Originals and podcasts with a monthly credit
- Audible, Inc.
- Subscription
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Web
4.9 from 5.6M App Store ratings 100M+ Google Play downloads #1 in Books on the US App Store
Does it deserve #9?
Is Audible worth it?
For most people, yes. Audible scores 8.2/10 and ranks #9 in Reading & News. It's best for regular listeners who want new releases and Originals they can keep. Skip it if you get through several books a month and a free library app would do. Price: Standard is $8.99 a month; Premium Plus is $14.95 with a credit; 30-day free trial.
The verdict
Audible has one of the largest audiobook libraries, with over a million titles and Originals you won't find anywhere else. Premium Plus gives you a monthly credit for any book you keep forever, plus the Plus Catalog to stream. The new $8.99 Standard plan costs less, but those books disappear if you cancel. The app handles the basics well: speed control, a sleep timer, offline downloads and syncing with Kindle ebooks.
- Over 1 million audiobooks and podcasts
- Audible Originals
- Plus Catalog on Premium Plus
- Whispersync and Read & Listen with Kindle
- Offline downloads and sleep timer
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Oct 2026AI Character Guide and Visual Explorer started rolling out on select titles
- Mar 2026New Standard plan: one audiobook a month for $8.99, yours while you subscribe
- Feb 2026Read & Listen shows Kindle text in sync with the narration, US first
Privacy 6.4/10
App Store label: no tracking. Purchases, location, contact info, your content, searches, identifiers, usage and diagnostics may be linked to you.
What we like
- Huge catalog with exclusive Originals
- Premium Plus books stay yours even if you cancel
- Syncs your place with Kindle ebooks
What could be better
- Credits get pricey if you finish many books
- Standard plan books vanish when you cancel
- Lots of data linked to your Amazon account
Regular listeners who want new releases and Originals they can keep
you get through several books a month and a free library app would do
Questions about Audible
Is Audible worth it in 2026?
For most people, yes. Audible scores 8.2/10 and ranks #9 in Reading & News. It's best for regular listeners who want new releases and Originals they can keep. Skip it if you get through several books a month and a free library app would do. Price: Standard is $8.99 a month; Premium Plus is $14.95 with a credit; 30-day free trial.
How much does Audible cost?
Audible Standard is $8.99 a month and Premium Plus is $14.95 a month, both after a 30-day free trial for new members.
Is Audible worth it?
If you finish about one book a month and want to keep it, Premium Plus is good value. Heavy listeners may find credits add up, and a free library app like Libby can fill the gaps.
What's the difference between Standard and Premium Plus?
Standard lets you pick one audiobook a month that you can play while subscribed. Premium Plus gives a credit for a book you keep forever, plus the Plus Catalog.
What are the best alternatives to Audible?
The closest alternatives are Libby, Kindle and NetNewsWire. See all of them ranked on our Audible alternatives page.
Where does Audible rank?
Audible ranks #9 of 11 in our Reading & News ranking, with an overall score of 8.2 out of 10.