Audible Premium Plus vs. Audible Plus: Which Membership Is Right for You? Skip to main content

Audible Premium Plus vs. Audible Plus: Which Membership Is Right for You?

Audible Premium Plus vs. Audible Plus

If you love audiobooks (and I’m guessing you do—that’s why you’re here!), you’ve probably noticed that Audible offers two main types of memberships: Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus. At first glance, the names sound similar, but their benefits, content access, and pricing differ in ways that can genuinely impact your listening experience.

So today, let’s break everything down in a simple, conversational way. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly which plan fits your listening habits, budget, and audiobook wishlist.

👉 Start your free trial and explore the world of Audible today. You might just find your next favorite audiobook waiting for you.




What Is Audible Plus?

Think of Audible Plus as an all-you-can-listen streaming service—kind of like Netflix or Spotify, but for audio content.

With Audible Plus, you get unlimited access to the Audible Plus Catalog, which includes:

  • Thousands of Audible Originals

  • Podcasts

  • Sleep tracks and meditation programs

  • Guided wellness content

  • A growing selection of audiobooks

You can listen to as many titles from the Plus Catalog as you want, without limits. The only catch? You don’t own any of the content. Everything is available to you as long as you stay subscribed, but nothing becomes a permanent part of your library.

Who Audible Plus is best for:

  • Listeners who enjoy binging content

  • People who love trying new audio programs

  • Those who prefer variety over ownership

  • Listeners on a budget who still want great content

If you're someone who listens for relaxation, wellness, or entertainment but doesn’t feel the need to “keep” every audiobook you finish, Audible Plus might be your perfect match.


What Is Audible Premium Plus?

Now let’s talk about Audible Premium Plus, the more robust of the two memberships.

Premium Plus includes everything in Audible Plus plus several additional benefits that serious audiobook fans tend to love—most importantly: credits.

With Audible Premium Plus, you get:

  • Full access to the Audible Plus Catalog

  • 1 or 2 monthly credits (depending on your plan)

  • Credits can be used on any audiobook in Audible’s store

  • Purchased titles are yours forever, even if you cancel

Premium Plus essentially combines streaming content with permanent ownership of the bestselling and newest audiobooks that rarely appear in the Plus Catalog.

What makes Premium Plus special?

  • You can buy ANY audiobook—even the latest releases from big publishers.

  • Titles you redeem with credits never expire.

  • You also get 30% off additional audiobook purchases.

  • Members receive access to exclusive Daily Deals.

So if you love owning your audiobooks and collecting the best new releases, Premium Plus gives you the most value.

Who Audible Premium Plus is best for:

  • Heavy listeners who burn through audiobooks quickly

  • Fans who want access to the newest and most popular titles

  • People who enjoy building a personal audiobook library

  • Anyone who wants maximum flexibility


Audible Premium Plus vs. Audible Plus: What’s the Pricing?

Let’s talk money—because the difference here helps clarify things even more.

🔹 Audible Plus:

  • Typically costs $7.95 per month

  • Includes unlimited access to the Audible Plus Catalog

  • No credits included

It’s an affordable option, especially if you're primarily interested in Originals, podcasts, and catalog titles.

🔹 Audible Premium Plus (1 Credit):

  • Typically costs $14.95 per month

  • Includes everything in Plus

  • Comes with 1 credit per month

  • You can purchase any audiobook with that credit

🔹 Audible Premium Plus (2 Credits):

  • Costs around $22.95 per month

  • Includes 2 credits per month

  • Best for power listeners

What’s great is that you can save credits if you're not ready to use them immediately. Most members use their credits on the most expensive audiobooks—because whether the book is $5 or $35, a credit covers the full price.


Content Comparison: What Can You Listen To?

Alright, now for the most important part—the content.

Audible Plus Catalog Includes:

  • Audible Originals (exclusive shows and audiobooks)

  • A selection of audiobooks (not all titles)

  • Documentaries and audio series

  • Podcasts

  • Sleep and relaxation content

  • Guided meditations

  • Kids’ stories

  • Wellness programs

This catalog is surprisingly large and keeps growing. You can binge entire podcast seasons or find short audiobooks perfect for daily commuting.

But here’s the thing: most new releases and bestselling novels are NOT included.

Premium Plus Content Includes:

Everything in the Plus plan plus access to:

  • Every audiobook sold on Audible

  • New releases

  • Bestsellers

  • Famous series

  • Big-name nonfiction

  • Exclusive editions

  • Dramatized performances

If your taste leans toward big publishers, blockbuster novels, or trending titles—Premium Plus is made for you.


Ownership: A Big Difference

Here’s a simple rule of thumb:

  • Audible Plus: You stream, but don’t own.

  • Audible Premium Plus: You stream + own forever.

With Premium Plus, the audiobooks you buy with credits stay in your library permanently—even if you cancel your membership five years later.

If you like building an audiobook collection, this alone makes Premium Plus worth it.


Extra Perks: What Else Should You Know?

Both memberships come with some helpful extras, but Premium Plus definitely wins in this area.

Shared Perks:

  • Access to the Audible app

  • Offline listening

  • Alexa integration

  • Device syncing

  • Exchanges (within certain limits)

Premium Plus-Only Perks:

  • 1:1 returns/exchanges for audiobooks you're not happy with

  • 30% discount on additional purchases

  • Access to exclusive member-only sales

  • Better deal value when using credits for expensive books

These additional perks can save you a lot over time, especially if you listen to premium audiobooks regularly.


Which Audible Plan Should You Choose?

If you're still torn, don’t worry. Let’s break it down simply.

Choose Audible Plus if…

  • You want affordable access to thousands of audio titles.

  • You enjoy Originals, podcasts, and relaxation audio.

  • You don’t mind not owning the audiobooks you listen to.

  • You prefer streaming-style access instead of purchasing.

Choose Audible Premium Plus if…

  • You love bestselling audiobooks and want the latest releases.

  • You want to own audiobooks permanently.

  • You use Audible frequently and want the most value.

  • You want discounts, credits, and premium perks.

If you’re someone who listens to at least one premium audiobook every month, Premium Plus almost always provides better value—especially when that book would normally cost $20 to $40.


Final Verdict

Both Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus are great in their own ways—it's all about your listening habits.

  • Want variety and binge-worthy content at a budget-friendly price?
    👉 Audible Plus.

  • Want full freedom, ownership, credits, and access to everything Audible sells?
    👉 Audible Premium Plus.

Whichever you choose, you’re stepping into a huge world of storytelling, knowledge, imagination, and entertainment—and that’s always a win for audiobook lovers.


Ready to Start Listening?

👉 Start your free trial and explore the world of Audible today. You might just find your next favorite audiobook waiting for you.

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