Kindle Unlimited vs Audible: A Detailed Comparison to Determine the Better Value
Ebooks and audiobooks have become indispensable to book lovers and lifelong learners everywhere. As two of the biggest names in digital reading and listening, Kindle Unlimited and Audible each offer extensive libraries with borrowed and purchased content. But with different delivery formats, pricing tiers, and features to weigh, how do you determine which service provides better overall value?
This comprehensive guide compares every aspect of Kindle Unlimited and Audible to break down their similarities and differences. Read on for an impartial analysis based on budgets, titles, technical compatibility and other key deciding factors.
An Introduction to Digital Books and Audiobooks
In 2021, ebook revenue topped $1 billion for the first time in the U.S. Though print still dominates overall, digital books claimed 16% market share last year and the trend is rising.
Audiobooks show even stronger growth, generating over $1.3 billion in 2020 sales. With audiobook revenue nearly doubling since 2016, listening has emerged as an immensely popular way to enjoy books.
Fueling the surging digital book and audio markets are Amazon‘s Kindle and Audible platforms. Amazon dominates the ebook space through Kindle e-readers and apps, commanding over 83% market share. Audible likewise leads the audiobook industry by a wide margin with 41% market share in 2020.
Now let‘s look at the reading and listening experiences each service provides.
Kindle Unlimited for Digital Book Lovers
Kindle Unlimited grants access to over 2 million Kindle ebooks, Audible audiobook companions, magazines and more for a monthly fee. Here are the key details about Amazon‘s subscription ebook service:
Pricing
- 30-day free trial
- $9.99 per month thereafter
- Cancel anytime
Library Size
- Over 2 million titles
- Includes ebooks, audiobook companions, magazines and more
Top Features
- Read across devices like Kindle, iOS, Android, PC
- Seamless syncing across devices
- Download for offline reading
- Listen to thousands of audiobooks
- Create notes and highlights
Types of Content
Includes popular titles like:
- Contemporary romance and mysteries
- Literary fiction
- Sci-fi and fantasy
- Advice and how-to guides
- Historical biographies
- Cookbooks and hobby/craft books
Kindle Unlimited empowers digital bookworms to explore new titles across genres risk-free. Switch seamlessly between ebooks and audiobooks on your phone, tablet or Kindle to suit your mood and schedule.
Next let‘s examine the key details about Amazon‘s audiobook platform.
Audible for Book Listening On-the-Go
As the leading producer and provider of audiobook content, Audible grants access to over 300,000 audiobook titles with a monthly or annual membership. Here‘s an overview:
Pricing
Monthly:
- Audible Plus: $7.95 per month
- Audible Premium Plus: $14.95 per month
Annually:
- Audible Premium Plus: $149.50 per year
Library Size
- Over 300,000 audiobook titles
- Audible Originals and exclusives
- Podcasts, guided wellness programs
Top Features
- Listen across devices
- Download for offline listening
- Keep forever, even if you cancel
- Whispersync tracks your place across devices/Kindle
- Great Listen Guarantee lets you easily exchange titles
Types of Content
Includes popular titles like:
- Mysteries and thrillers
- Sci-fi and fantasy
- Romance and chick lit
- Business and personal development
- Celebrity memoirs
Audible also produces original audiobooks and audio shows you won‘t find anywhere else.
Now that we‘ve covered the basics of each platform, let‘s directly compare their features.
Kindle Unlimited vs Audible: Feature Comparison
While Kindle Unlimited and Audible share similarities like extensive catalogs and seamless listening/reading across devices, they differ significantly in some areas. Refer to this feature overview table:
| Feature | Kindle Unlimited | Audible |
|---|---|---|
| Library Size | Over 2 million | Over 300,000 |
| Content Types | eBooks, magazines, audiobook companions | Audiobooks, Originals, podcasts |
| Supported Devices | Kindle, iOS, Android, PC | iOS, Android, PC, Kindle (for owners only) |
| Read vs Listen | Both | Listen-only |
| Sync Across Devices | Yes | Yes |
| Offline Access | Yes | Yes |
| Keep Forever | No | Yes |
| Exclusive Content | Yes | Yes |
| Monthly Price | $9.99 | Audible Plus: $7.95 Audible Premium Plus: $14.95 |
The biggest differences lie in library size, ability to read (not just listen), and rights to purchased content when you unsubscribe. Kindle Unlimited offers a larger catalog of ebooks while Audible boasts more audio-exclusive content.
Audible‘s Whispersync technology allows seamless syncing with Kindles only. But both platforms sync your place across smartphones, tablets and computers for continuous listening or reading.
Now let‘s compare how the reading and listening experiences measure up.
Reading vs Listening: The User Experience
Diehard readers love having a digital library in their pocket and interacting visually with the material. But frequent travelers and busy multitaskers often prefer audiobooks for on-the-go access:
Reading with Kindle Unlimited
Kindle Unlimited‘s instant ebook access helps you:
- Dive deeper into genres and new subjects risk-free
- Build an unlimited personalized library to enjoy anytime, anywhere
- Switch effortlessly between reading and listening without losing your spot
- Purchase ebooks at a discount if you love them
Listening with Audible
Audible‘s audiobook subscription allows you to:
- Soak up books during your commute, chores and workouts
- Sync seamlessly between phone, tablet, computer and Kindle
- Exchange titles easily if you don‘t like them with Great Listen Guarantee
- Listen across all types of content – mysteries, personal development, podcasts
Casual readers who want book access on the go may find Audible‘s listening convenience a better match. But Kindle Unlimited offers more overall flexibility to switch between reading and listening in a much larger library – over 2 million titles compared to Audible‘s 300,000+.
Now let‘s explore the exclusive content only available on each platform.
Exclusive and Original Content
In addition to their extensive general catalogs, both services invest heavily in developing their own exclusive books and audiobooks:
Kindle Unlimited Exclusives
Kindle Unlimited offers:
- Self-published ebooks: Gain early access before mass release
- Debut works: Discover new authors
- Amazon imprints: Top sub-genres like sci-fi and romance
For example, you can read self-published books from up-and-coming authors before their official debut. Kindle Unlimited also licenses exclusive download rights for some books under imprints like Amazon Publishing and 47North.
Audible Originals
With Audible, you get access to:
- Audiobook exclusives: Big-name and indie titles
- Original audio productions: Podcasts, theater performances and more
For example, hit titles like Sea Stories narrated by decorated Navy SEAL William H. McRaven first premiered on Audible. The platform also produces original audio series across genres like the Mr. Mercedes thriller adaptations.
Both Audible Originals and Kindle Unlimited exclusives differentiate each service with early previews and content unavailable anywhere else.
Now let‘s explore which types of readers and listening preferences align better with each platform.
Which Platform Suits Your Book Preferences Best?
With millions of titles spanning every genre and subject, both Kindle Unlimited and Audible cater broadly. Yet certain book types align better with digital reading versus listening.
Here are recommendations based on genre and other factors:
Better Suited for Kindle Unlimited
Consider Kindle Unlimited for:
- In-depth research: Nonfiction, history, biographies
- Visual-heavy: Travel guides, cookbooks, arts/crafts how-tos
- Enhanced ebooks: Embedded images, charts and graphs
- Series binges: Easy to powered through trilogies and long series by reading quickly
- Distraction-free: Avoid losing focus while listening on-the-go
Better Suited for Audible
Consider Audible for:
- Commuting: Make drive time more productive listening to books
- Multitasking: Listen while exercising, doing chores, etc.
- Fiction: Escape into immersive worlds while audio performances bring stories and characters fully alive
- Varied interests: Discover new podcasts, meditation programs and Audible Originals
Of course millions also love reading fiction ebooks or multitasking while reading. But if you strongly prefer listening for convenience and portability, Audible may suit your lifestyle best.
Now let‘s assess the overall value each platform offers.
Evaluating the Overall Value
When weighing Kindle Unlimited versus Audible, assign value based on:
- Number of titles relevant to your interests
- Reading versus listening preferences
- Budget for monthly fees
- Extent of platform integration into your lifestyle
Frequent readers who blow through multiple books monthly will maximize value from Kindle Unlimited‘s 2 million+ checkout limit. If exploring niche subjects like sci-fi or military history is crucial, its vast catalog also helps.
Audible shines for users constantly on-the-go. If you want accessible content while commuting or doing chores, audiobooks fit seamlessly into life‘s pockets of downtime.
On budget, Audible Plus beats Kindle Unlimited by $2 monthly. But keep in mind Kindle Unlimited includes both ebooks and audiobooks for its flat rate.
Most importantly, analyze your actual consumption. An avid listener who finishes 4-6 audiobooks monthly justifies Audible‘s higher Premium Plus paid tier. But someone who casually enjoys a few ebooks each month won‘t reap enough value from Kindle Unlimited to rationalize the ongoing fee.
Determine your reading/listening frequency first, then assign value accordingly across the two platforms.
Wrapping Up: Which Is the Better Deal Overall?
So should you choose Kindle Unlimited or Audible? In some cases, opting for both services makes sense if you:
- Love reading AND listening: Use Kindle Unlimited for ebooks and Audible for more audio exclusives
- Crave variety: Switch between immersive reading and hands-free listening
But for most mainstream consumers, Kindle Unlimited offers better all-around value thanks to:
- Significantly larger library
- Freedom to seamlessly switch between reading and listening
- Discount ebook purchasing option
- Lower regular monthly price at $9.99
Audible leads for diehard audiobook fans who listen for several hours daily, especially during tasks like driving and exercising. But most casual readers will derive more value from Kindle Unlimited’s flexibility and discounts.
Hopefully this comprehensive feature comparison gave you clarity around the strengths and limitations of each platform. As you move forward, simply reflect on your actual reading/listening habits and preferred content types. Then choose the service catering closest to your needs.
Happy reading and listening!
