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What is Audible?
Whether you're a confirmed bookworm or wish you had more time for literary pursuits, Audible allows you to read that book you've been meaning to for ages hands-free – so you can get on with everything else on your to-do list.
By Mumsnet HQ | Last updated Apr 17, 2024
What is Audible?
Audible is a monthly subscription service that allows you to listen to audiobooks, original podcasts and dramas on your smartphone, tablet, Alexa-enabled device, computer or MP3 player. You can choose from a collection of over 200,000 audio titles – voiced by some of the world's best performers – so, whatever your genre of choice, you're bound to find plenty to keep you occupied.
How does it work?
Getting started with Audible is simple: choose your audiobooks on site, download the app, and you're ready to listen.
Audible subscriptions begin with a 30 day free trial then, after the trial period, you pay £7.99 per month and receive one book credit each month that you can exchange for any book on Audible. There's no obligation and you can cancel at any time. There are also alternative subscription plans if one book credit per month just isn't enough for you, or if you would rather pay for the full year upfront.
If you can't wait until the next month, you can buy additional books on top of your monthly credit or purchase audiobooks on a one-off basis without a subscription – but you could save up to 70% if you have a membership.
Once you redeem a credit or buy an audiobook, it's yours to keep forever – even if you cancel your subscription. After the book is downloaded to your device, you can listen anytime, anywhere without needing an internet connection. Audible will also sync your progress across devices so you never have to worry about losing your place.
Related: Whether you're heading off on holiday or just need a page-turner for your commute, take a look at Mumsnetters' best summer reads.
Flexibility
Audible have a no-quibble returns policy, which means that if you don't like a book – no matter why, or if you've already finished it – as long as you purchased it in the last twelve months, they will exchange it for a different one, no questions asked.
If you change your mind, you can cancel your Audible subscription at any time and keep all the audiobooks you have in your library. Alternatively, if you've got a backlog of books or credits to work through but don't want to cancel, you can put your subscription on hiatus for up to three months and pick up where you left off later.
Mumsnetters' take on Audible
You lot are an, ahem, opinionated bunch. Check out what Mumsnetters had to say about Audible:
“I love it because I have been finding I'm too tired to read at night. I listen while running.”
“I use it to 'read' the big classics that I know I will never get around to. Make sure you like the reader, though. Listen to the clips before you download a book – some voices will grate.”
“I am the world's biggest Audible fan. I have to say that I don't know what I would do without it. I cannot get to sleep at night now without listening to a book and setting the sleep alarm to 15 minutes. I listen whilst ironing, whilst preparing the supper, whilst going on long power walks. I love, love, love it.”
“I love Audible! The fact that you can return a book and get your credit refunded, no questions asked, is just brilliant. I've even done it halfway through a book before.”
“The £7.99 a month subscription buys you one credit which you use to get one book, regardless of its price, so you could use your credit for a book listed at £30 and you get it for £7.99. I tend to go for big long books to get my money's worth!”
Try Audible with a free audiobooks
You can try Audible for free for 30 days and, as part of the trial, you will receive one credit and be able to download one book.
After your 30 day free trial, you'll be automatically subscribed to a £7.99 monthly plan, but if you'd rather not join you can unsubscribe at any time and still enjoy the audiobooks you chose.
If you need some help deciding on your first book, take a look at Mumsnetters favourite audiobooks for inspiration.
How to cancel Audible
If you decide you want to cancel your membership, you can do so in three simple steps:
1. Log in to your Audible account on their desktop site – not the app – and click on “Account Details”
2. Click Cancel membership at the bottom of the “View membership details” section
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
After you cancel, you will receive an email confirming that your membership has ended. Just deleting the Audible app, or trying these steps from a phone or tablet will not cancel your plan.