Audible Plus vs Premium plus – How To Pick The Right Plan [Aug 2023]

Audible Plus vs Premium Plus – Quick Summary

Spoiler alert: I have been using Audible since 2012. I have been switching between plans, paused & even cancelled it once briefly when I had a book credit overload. A lot of what’s covered here is via my personal use of Audible over the years.

However, plans, pricing & access keep changing – so please check Audible for the latest before you make a purchase decision.

Welcome to the world of Audible, a treasure trove of audiobooks that can transport you to different realms, teach you new skills, or simply entertain you during your commute. With an Audible subscription, you gain access to an extensive library of content, from best-selling novels to insightful non-fiction works, and even exclusive podcasts.

Choosing the right membership for your needs is crucial to optimize your listening experience. The two primary options available are Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus. Each plan offers its own unique benefits and features, designed to cater to various listening habits and preferences.

In this blog, we’ll take a deep dive into Audible Plus vs Premium plus, outlining their differences, benefits, and features, to help you make an informed decision about which Audible plan suits you best. Let’s embark on this audible journey together!

Most popular questions about Audible answered as their own blogs

• Is Audible worth it?
• Audible Free Trial – How to get (the best out of) it?
• What does Audible membership give you?
• Everything about Audible subscription cost 
• What’s better – Scribd vs Audible
• What’s better – Audible vs Kindle
• What’s better – Audible vs Audiobooks.com
• What are Top Audible alternatives?
• Audiobooks on Spotify – should you go for it?
• Amazon Prime Audible – What do I get for being a Prime Member?
• How to pause or cancel audible?

Disclosure: This site is user supported. Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can help me buy a coffee or two at no extra cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan.

Audible Plus

Audible Plus is a monthly subscription service offered by Audible that costs $7.95 per month. With this membership, you gain unlimited access to the Audible Plus Catalog, which offers thousands of select podcasts, health tracks and audiobooks.

Audible Plus Catalog

The Audible Plus Catalog boasts an impressive array of content. This includes a diverse selection of Audible audiobooks (over 400+) across various genres like fiction, non-fiction, mystery, romance, and science fiction. It also provides access to a wide range of other titles (10000+) including podcasts, sleep tracks, meditation programs and more. The library covers every topic from comedy and true crime to wellness and business.

Benefits of Audible Plus Membership

One of the significant benefits of an Audible Plus Membership is the ‘listen all you want’ feature. You can listen to as many titles from the Audible Plus Catalog as you wish without any additional charges. Additionally, you get to enjoy Audible Originals – exclusive titles created by celebrated storytellers from worlds as diverse as theater, journalism, literature, and more.

You also get to buy additional titles for 50%-70% discounted prices on Audible compared to a regular book store.

The Audible App

The Audible app is designed to make your listening experience smooth and enjoyable. It allows you to download titles for offline listening, so you can continue enjoying your audiobooks even when you’re not connected to the internet.

The app also features adjustable narration speeds, allowing you to modify the pace of the narrator’s voice according to your preference. Another handy feature is the sleep timer, which lets you set a specific time for the app to stop playing your audiobook, perfect for bedtime listening.

Audible Premium Plus

Audible Premium Plus, priced at $14.95 per month, is a comprehensive subscription service that offers all the benefits of Audible Plus and much more. With this plan, you get at least one audiobook from entire audible catalog every month, regardless of its price or length.

Audible’s Entire Catalog with Premium Plus

One of the primary advantages of Audible Premium Plus is the ability to access Audible’s entire catalog. This means you’re not just limited to the Audible Plus Catalog but can also choose from new releases, best sellers, and titles that aren’t included in the Plus Catalog. This expands your listening choices dramatically, offering more than 300,000 titles.

Sapiens from Yuval Noah Harari was my latest choice! Yes, I’ve also read the paperback version!

Understanding Audible Credits

Each month, as a part of your Audible Premium Plus subscription, you receive one Audible credit. These credits can be used to purchase any audiobook, regardless of its price.

If you want to listen to more than one audiobook a month, you can buy additional audiobooks at a discounted member price. What’s even better is that these credits roll over to the next month if unused, and you can keep them for up to a year.

Note: I have been using Audible for over 10+ years, and I have let some credits go to the bin. Stay vigilant, especially if you decide to take a break!

A secret: You can return Audiobook credits, it is a simple click of a button (or a few). Go to purchase history->select title->Return this title->Confirm

Exclusive Content with Premium Plus

In addition to unrestricted access to the entire catalog, Audible Premium Plus members also enjoy access to exclusive sales and 30% off all additional audiobook purchases.

This makes it an excellent choice for those who wish to listen to as many audiobooks as possible and are interested in having a wide array of options.

12 Credits and 24 Credits Plan

For more avid listeners, Audible Premium Plus offers two annual plans that provide an upfront allotment of credits: the 12-credit plan and the 24-credit plan.

The 12-credit plan costs $149.50 per year, effectively reducing the monthly cost to about $12.46. You receive all 12 credits at once, which you can use to purchase 12 audiobooks from Audible’s entire catalog.

The 24-credit plan is priced at $229.50 per year, bringing down the effective monthly cost to roughly $19.13. As with the 12-credit plan, you receive all 24 credits upfront and can use them to buy 24 audiobooks from Audible’s full catalog.

These annual plans are perfect for listeners who prefer to have a stockpile of credits to use at their own pace. Just like the monthly credits, these annual credits roll over to the next year if unused, but remember, they also need to be used within a year of receiving them.

If you have a shortlist of books, it is best to buy them immediately as you are more likely to forget that you have unused credits.

Audible Plus vs Premium plus: A Comparison

When choosing between Audible Plus and Premium Plus, it’s essential to understand the distinct features, benefits, and pricing structure of each plan.

Direct Comparison

Audible Plus, priced at $7.95 per month, offers unlimited listening from the Audible Plus Catalog. On the other hand, Audible Premium Plus costs $14.95 per month and provides all the benefits of Audible Plus, along with one credit per month to purchase any audiobook, regardless of its price or length.

Number of Audiobooks

With Audible Plus, you get unlimited access to select audiobooks included in the Plus Catalog. However, with Audible Premium Plus, you also receive one credit each month that can be used to purchase any audiobook from Audible’s entire catalog.

In addition to the Plus Catalog, Premium Plus members can enjoy at least one extra audiobook every month.

Offline Listening Capabilities

Both Audible Plus and Premium Plus offer offline listening capabilities. This means you can download titles from either the Plus Catalog or the entire Audible catalog (for Premium Plus members) and listen to them offline at your convenience.

Subscription Model Differences

The subscription models for Audible Plus and Premium Plus are also different. While both are monthly subscriptions, Premium Plus offers additional annual plans that provide an upfront allotment of credits: the 12-credit plan and the 24-credit plan. These plans are advantageous for listeners who prefer to have a stockpile of credits to use at their own pace.

Weighing Your Options: Audible Plus versus Premium Plus

When selecting between Audible’s two primary subscription plans, Audible Plus and Premium Plus, several critical factors come into play. These include your personal listening habits, budgetary considerations, and the specific titles you’re interested in.

Personal Listening Habits

Your personal listening habits significantly influence which Audible plan best suits you. If you’re a casual listener who enjoys a few select audiobooks each month, Audible Plus, which costs $7.95 per month, might be the ideal choice.

However, for those who consume multiple audiobooks every month, the additional credits provided by the Premium Plus plan, priced at $14.95 per month, could offer more value.

Budgetary Considerations

Budget is an essential factor when choosing a subscription plan. Audible Plus, with its lower monthly cost, is a more budget-friendly option compared to Premium Plus.

Nevertheless, Premium Plus gives you broader access to titles, including bestsellers and new releases, that might justify the higher price for some users.

If you listen to a lot of books, the Annual Premium plus plan is definitely cheaper compared to all other plans.

Your interest in specific titles can also steer your decision. If the titles you desire are included in the Plus Catalog, the Audible Plus subscription may suffice.

Conversely, if you’re keen on newly-released titles or specific premium audiobooks not available in the Plus Catalog, Premium Plus would be the better choice.

Unlimited Access Versus Premium Audiobooks

Audible Plus offers unlimited listening, but only to the titles in the Audible Plus catalog. On the other hand, Premium Plus members enjoy all the benefits of Audible Plus, plus one credit per month to purchase any audiobook from the entire Audible catalog. This implies that with Premium Plus, you gain access to premium audiobooks that may not be available with an Audible Plus subscription.

Additional Features: Meditation Tracks, Podcasts, New Releases

Both Audible Plus and Premium Plus provide access to additional features like meditation tracks and podcasts, which can enhance the overall value of the subscription. However, new releases are generally not included in the Plus Catalog. So, if you prioritize access to the latest audiobooks, the Premium Plus plan might be the ideal fit.

In sum, both Audible Plus and Premium Plus offer considerable benefits. Your ultimate choice will depend on your unique needs and preferences.

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