What is Audible, and how does Audible work?

Audible is a subscription-based audiobook service owned by Amazon that allows users to purchase and download audiobooks and listen to a selection of free content. The service is typically accessed through the Audible website and the Audible app. It is available on smartphones, tablets, and computers and the app can be linked to Alexa-enabled devices so you can control Audible with your voice.

You can sign up for a monthly or annual membership where you receive credits to purchase audiobooks. Once an audiobook is purchased, you can download and listen to it on your chosen device. The audiobooks are read aloud by narrators, celebrities and sometimes the author, and the library is constantly updated as new books are released. Recommendations for the best audiobooks for you are made based on your listening and purchase history.

How much does Audible cost in the UK?

Audible offers several different membership options. Regardless of which one you choose, there are standard membership benefits that you receive:

• Monthly or annual credits that you can use to buy and keep any title Unlimited access to the Plus Catalogue, including thousands of Audible Originals, podcasts, and free audiobooks.
• Daily deals on prices of additional credits and discounts on audiobooks.

These are the current Audible membership plans and pricing in the UK:

If you are unsure which membership suits you, it is worth signing up for the Audible free 30-day trial.

How does the Audible free 30-day trial work?

The free 30-day trial allows new members to sign up for the audible subscription service and try it out for 30 days. During this time, trial members have access to the same features and benefits as paid members, including purchasing and downloading audiobooks and accessing the Plus Catalogue.

To start the free Audible trial, you need to create an account on the Audible website or through the Audible app. You’ll need an amazon account to do this, and you can either link it to your existing Amazon account or set one up to create your Audible account. You’ll be prompted to enter your payment information, but you won’t be charged until the trial period ends. Once your account is set up, you can begin browsing and purchasing audiobooks. You can buy, download, and listen to as many audiobooks as you want during the trial period.

It's important to note that at the end of the trial period, Audible will automatically charge you for the subscription you selected (monthly or annual) unless you cancel the subscription before the end of the trial period. So don’t forget to log in and cancel if you decide it’s not right for you. Audible allows you to keep the audiobooks you purchased while on the trial, even if you decide not to continue with the subscription.

What are Audible credits?

Audible credits are the Audible currency that allows members to purchase audiobooks. Each credit can be used to purchase any audible audiobook, including new releases and bestsellers, regardless of price. Once you use a credit to buy an audiobook, it’ll be added to your library. It can be downloaded and listened to on any device with the Audible app installed.

If you run out of credits, you can purchase additional credits or wait until the following month for the next credit to be added. Credits don’t expire and can be rolled over from month to month.
However, there are limits to how many credits can be held at any one time specific to your membership.

Membership Plan and Credit Limit

Are all books available on Audible as audiobooks?

Audible has over 200,000 titles in its catalogue, adding new audiobooks daily. Most of the current bestsellers are released as audiobooks as they are published. However, not every book is available on Audible as Amazon can’t always acquire the rights to produce and distribute a book in audio format. Some publishers also have geographic restrictions that prevent the distribution of certain audiobooks in particular countries or regions.

How does the Audible app work?

The Audible app is free and very easy to use. It is available for most IOS (iPhone) and Android devices, including smartphones and tablets. The app can be downloaded free from the App Store or Google Play.

You can browse, download, manage and listen to your audiobooks in the app. You can now also purchase titles through the app either using existing credits or by paying for individual titles which is a recent feature update. However, to take advantage of the daily deals, credit bundle deals and two-for-one sales you still need to do this on audible.co.uk, not in the app. 

There are a variety of useful features to enhance the listening experience, including:

• Adjusting the playback speed
• Creating bookmarks and notes
• The ability to listen to a sample of an audiobook before purchasing it

The app also has a feature called Whispersync, which allows you to synchronize your listening progress across multiple devices, so you can pick up where you left off on another device. You can also use the app to manage your account details, including cancelling or changing your audible plan (if you created your account in the app) and accessing customer support.

Frequently asked questions