If you’re a book worm, you might have considered having all the books you love in your digital devices rather than managing loads of paper books on shelves. Apparently there’re many advantages of using e-book service, you can take your books everywhere with mobile devices and read them without having to worry about losing pages or bookmarks.
Today we’re going to look at Audible and Kindle Unlimited to help you decide which one you should choose. Both Audible and Kindle Unlimited services are supported by Amazon, but they’re actually focusing on different kinds of users. So in the following sections, I’ll be giving some insights on Amazon Audible vs Kindle Unlimited.
Do you know the differences between Audible Plus and Premium Plus? Here we make a detailed guide for you. Just click this article for check!
Part 1. What Are Audible & Kindle Unlimited?
Audible
Audible is Amazon's leading service for audiobooks, boasting a collection of up to 400,000 titles, including bestsellers and exclusive content. The Audible app is user-friendly and makes it simple to access your favorite books, even when you're on the move. You can download books for offline listening, so you always have access to great stories. Each month, Audible gives you a free credit to buy any audiobook of your choice, and you also get discounts during special promotions like 2-for-1 deals. This is a fantastic way to explore new books and save money, especially for avid listeners.
Kindle Unlimited
Kindle Unlimited offers access to an extensive library of over 1 million eBooks and around 20,000 audiobooks with Audible narration for a monthly fee. You can borrow up to 10 titles at a time and read or listen on any device via the Kindle app, not just Kindle devices. While Kindle Unlimited includes a variety of independently published books, major publishers and bestsellers are less common.
A key benefit is the flexibility to switch between eBooks and audiobooks. If you find a book you love on Kindle Unlimited, you can often get the audiobook version on Audible at a discount. Unlike Audible, Kindle Unlimited does not give you ownership of the books. If you cancel your subscription, you lose access to the books you borrowed. Kindle Unlimited is ideal for exploring a wide range of eBooks and audiobooks with the added flexibility to switch between formats.
In short, Audible's monthly credit system offers a convenient and cost-effective way to enjoy audiobooks, while Kindle Unlimited's extensive library and format flexibility enhance your reading experience. Using both services can be a real treat for book lovers. You can explore a huge range of books on Kindle Unlimited and then grab the Audible version at a great discount when you want to listen. It's a great way to get the most out of your reading and listening. If you're still unsure, check out the comparison section to see which service might be the best fit for you.
Do you want to listen to Audible audiobooks on your Kindle? This post will help you check if your Kindle is compatible and show you how to do that.
Part 2. Audible VS Kindle Unlimited
When deciding between Audible and Kindle Unlimited, it's essential to understand how each service works and what they offer.
Subscription Costs
Kindle Unlimited is priced at $11.99 per month. With this subscription, you can access a wide range of eBooks and around 20,000 audiobooks. However, you don't own the books; you borrow them as long as you're subscribed. Once you cancel your subscription, you lose access to these books. This can be a drawback if you want to keep your books permanently. To get your money's worth, you would need to read or listen to several books each month.
Audible offers two subscription plans:
- Audible Premium Plus at $14.95 per month, which includes 2 credits per month.
- Audible Plus at $7.95 per month.
Geographical Availability
Kindle Unlimited is available in multiple countries, but the selection varies by region. In the US, you have access to a broad range of titles, but in countries like the UK, Germany, or Australia, the available selection may be more limited. So, if you're outside the US, the number of books you can borrow might be reduced.
Audible is available worldwide, but availability of specific audiobooks can vary due to licensing restrictions. While Audible provides access to a large collection of audiobooks, some titles might not be accessible in every country. This means that while you have a broad selection, not all books may be available depending on where you live.
Audio Versions
In real-world use, Kindle Unlimited offers access to a selection of audiobooks, but it doesn't cover the full range of titles available on Audible. For instance, while you might find some popular audiobooks included in Kindle Unlimited, many bestsellers and new releases are available exclusively on Audible. If you're looking for a specific audiobook, especially a recent release or a popular title, you're more likely to find it on Audible.
Audible, on the other hand, provides a more extensive and diverse collection of audiobooks. You'll find everything from bestsellers to obscure titles across various genres. Audible also includes fabulous features like WhisperSync, which lets you seamlessly switch between reading an eBook and listening to the audiobook version without losing your place. For example, if you're reading a book on Kindle Unlimited and decide you'd like the audiobook version, you might find it at a discounted price on Audible.
Practical Use Case
If you're someone who values owning your audiobooks and wants to build a lasting collection, Audible is likely the better choice. You get to keep each book you purchase with your credits, which is especially beneficial if you plan to listen to these books multiple times or want to keep them for future reference.
Conversely, if you enjoy the idea of exploring a large variety of eBooks and audiobooks and are comfortable with the concept of borrowing rather than owning, Kindle Unlimited offers great value. It's a flexible and cost-effective way to dive into new reading material without committing to permanent ownership.
| Feature | Audible | Kindle Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $77.95/month (Plus) or $14.95/month (Premium Plus) | $11.99/month |
| Credits/Access | 1 or 2 credits per month for audiobooks | Unlimited access to eBooks and audiobooks |
| Ownership | Keep audiobooks forever, even if you cancel | No ownership; access ends when you cancel |
| Library Size | 400,000+ audiobooks | 1 million+ eBooks and 20,000+ audiobooks |
| Special Features | WhisperSync for syncing eBooks and audiobooks | Borrow up to 10 titles at once |
| Availability | Available worldwide (with some regional limits) | Available in many countries, with varied content by region |
| Offline Access | Download audiobooks to keep | Download eBooks and audiobooks for offline use |
| Selection | Extensive and includes popular titles | Limited to what's in Kindle Unlimited's library |
Part 3. Is Audible or Kindle Unlimited Better?
In summary, Audible is perfect for those who want to own their audiobooks and keep them forever, while Kindle Unlimited is ideal for those who prefer to borrow and read a broad range of books without permanent ownership.
If you love having your audiobooks on hand anytime, Audible is your best bet. You get to keep every audiobook you purchase, even if you cancel your subscription. This is fantastic for anyone who has favorite books they want to listen to again and again. Plus, Audible offers an extensive collection of popular bestsellers and exclusive content. You can also download books for offline listening, so you're never without something to enjoy.
On the other hand, Kindle Unlimited is great for those who enjoy exploring a variety of books without needing to own them. For a flat monthly fee, you can read and listen to a wide range of eBooks and audiobooks. It's perfect for discovering new authors and genres. However, remember that with Kindle Unlimited, you don't get to keep the books once you cancel your subscription—it's more about borrowing than owning.
Still not sure? Why not give Audible's free trial a go? It's a risk-free way to test out the service and see if it fits your needs. With the free trial, you'll get access to one or more audiobooks that you can keep, even if you decide not to continue with the subscription. It's a quick and easy way to make your decision.
If neither Audible nor Kindle Unlimited feels quite right for you, consider Scribd. Scribd offers a mix of eBooks, audiobooks, and other content, all for a similar monthly fee of $11.99. You get access to a vast library, making it a flexible choice if you enjoy a bit of everything. With Scribd, you can borrow as many titles as you want, so it's a good option if you're looking for diverse content without committing to ownership. Plus, we also have ViWizard Audio Capture, which works to convert and download Scribd audiobooks offline for keeping.
A multifunctional audio recording tool to capture any sound, including streaming music, live radios, game sounds, background music, online meetings, and more on the computer and save audio recordings to MP3, AAC, and other universal audio formats while keeping the original audio quality and ID3 tags.
Summary:
Ultimately, the choice comes down to your reading and listening habits. Whether you want to keep your books forever with Audible, explore a vast selection with Kindle Unlimited, or enjoy a bit of everything with Scribd, there's an option that’s right for you. And don't forget— using both ViWizard Audible Converter and ViWizard Audio Capture is a great way to help you take advantage of your subscriptions by keeping audiobooks offline!
Key Features of ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter
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- Convert Audible audiobook to unprotected audio formats like MP3
- Split Audible book into several smaller segments by chapter or by time
- Support playing Audible audiobooks on any device or media player
- Handle the conversion of Audible audiobooks up to 100× faster speed
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