There are two types of book lovers, those who love to scroll through pages and those who would rather listen to an audio version of a book while they go about their other affairs.
The different modes of reading work for those who prefer them; however, there lies the question of which of these modes of reading is best.
Now, each of these groups has one leading software that caters to their preferences and enhances their reading experience overall.
For text readers, Kindle Unlimited is the go-to choice anytime, any day. The audiobook-lovers, on the other hand, have Audible as their go-to facilitator.
This article serves as an extensive guide– it’ll give you a detailed rundown of these two competing choices for book lovers; in the end, you’ll get to decide yourself which mode of reading is best.
Overview of Kindle Unlimited
Kindle Unlimited is the paid version of Amazon’s reading platform. A subscription to this version will give users access to millions of titles which they are allowed to borrow from.
As a premium subscriber, you get access to books that are off-limits to those on the basic plan. These books will carry the ‘Unlimited logo.’ You can read or listen to them on a Kindle device or simply download the app on a separate device.
Now, here’s the exciting part–This subscription not only covers your book-borrowing, but it also allows you to sign up for your favorite magazines, and these side subscriptions will not be counted in your 20-book limit.
Core Features
Here are some of the core features of Kindle Unlimited that make it worth every dollar:
Access to millions of books
Kindle Unlimited is a booklover’s heaven. With millions of choices available, boredom will be completely eradicated from a booklover’s life.
Although, they are only allowed to borrow a maximum of 20 titles at a time. The best part, however, is that there are no due dates.
Pricing
After your 30-day trial period, you will be charged $11.99 each month for your Kindle Unlimited subscription. However, if you happen to get a coupon, you’ll be eligible for discounts.
Offline Access
You do not necessarily need internet access to access your favorite books. So long as you save them to your device’s storage, you can access them even if you’re situated in the most primitive suburb.
Free Trial
Amazon, in a bid to give you a tip of the iceberg, will allow you to have access to this Unlimited plan for a maximum of 30 days. Before then, you will be required to input your card details; if you do not opt out of this 30-day freebie, you will be automatically signed up for another month of fun!!
Pros
- Cheap books are available in excess
- Audible narration is available
- You can borrow as many as 10 titles
Cons
- You won’t find books from major publications on Kindle
- It is only available in selected countries
- New books take a long while to rank due to the excess number of books available
Overview of Audible
What’s better than having your favorite voice read your favorite book to you while your hands and eyes have other things to attend to?
Audible was created to help busy bees stay in touch with their literary hobbies without having to break their routines!
All the bestsellers can be found on Audible; asides from these bestsellers, you’ll find thousands more that are sure to keep you locked in. There are rarely app glitches, and the interface is a combo of simplicity and functionality.
Audible, in their generosity, will allow you to keep the books you add to your library, even if you can’t afford to renew the subscription that helped you get access to them.
It’s safe to say that Audible is a great choice overall.
Core Features
The following are the core features of Audible that make it almost everyone’s favorite:
Different Plans
Audible has five different subscription plans. Each of these plans is tailored to cover a wide range of budgets so everyone can find a suitable plan:
- Audible Plus
For $7.99, you’ll get one month of access to all of your favorite podcasts, talk shows, motivational channels, as well as sleep tracks for as much as you want. You’ll not need any credits to renew these once they expire.
- Audible Premium Plus
This plan will cost you $14.99 per month. For this fee, you’ll get everything an Audible Plus subscriber gets, 1 extra credit to redeem any book of your choice, and, you’ll also get a 30% discount on any book you purchase.
- Audible Premium Plus (2 Credits)
You can get this for $22.99 every month. With this subscription, you’re eligible to receive all the perks of an Audible Premium Plus subscription as well as two credits each month to redeem two of your favorite audiobooks that you want to keep forever
- Audible Premium Plus Annual (12 credits)
If you prefer to make an annual payment, this might be the plan for you. With $149.50, you’ll be getting 14 credits per year-2 each month till the year elapses.
- Audible Premium Plus Annual (24 Credits)
This is the overall annual plan that gives you unlimited access. $229.50 will give you 24 permanent books, as well as all the other perks that come with lower subscriptions.
Whispersync
Whispersync allows readers to switch from text reading to audio reading and vice versa. However, for this technology to function, you need to have both Kindle and Audible on one device; you also need to have downloaded both text and audio formats of your chosen book.
Once you switch to a different format, your reading progress will be restored–thereby getting you to lick off where you left off. And, if you want to read while you listen, that can be arranged too!
Timer
There’s a timer feature that allows you to set a duration for your audio to play. If you’re one of those who naturally sleep off while they read, all you have to do is set the timer to a specific duration so your device doesn’t keep running when you’re far away in Dreamland.
Customizable Speed
While some people like the high tempo of fast speech, others are more comfortable with a slower space. Audible considers both categories of readers, and made the customizable speed option available for everyone.
This feature lets you choose the pace at which you want to read. You can fast-forward and slow down the speed of the audio as you desire.
Offline access
Like Kindle Unlimited, you can also listen to all of your favorite audiobooks even without an internet connection. Audiobooks are ideal for those who are always on the go; travelers who journey to remote areas where electricity and internet connection are not always available.
With an audible subscription, you can connect to your literary side even when the odds are against you.
Pros
- Audiobooks will be available even after your subscription elapses
- Wide range of subscription plans
- The user interface is incredible.
Cons
- Once you’re out of credits, you can’t save any more books
- The Audible Plus plan does not allow you to keep any books.
- You’re not allowed to purchase books directly from Audible
What’s the Similarity?
The following are some of the similarities between Kindle Unlimited and Audible.
- For starters, both interfaces are owned by Amazon.
- They have different subscription plans tailored to cover different budgets
- They offer an extensive library of books to choose from.
- Both allow you to access your saved books offline.
- The user interface of both apps is impressive and easy to navigate
- Both offer a 30-day trial period to interested subscribers.
What’s the Difference?
The table below shows the core differences between Kindle and Audible:
| S/NO | Kindle Unlimited | Audible |
| 1. | You’ll lose your books once your subscription expires or gets canceled. | You get to keep your books even after your bundle expires |
| 2. | Primarily caters to text readers | Is most suitable for audiobook-lovers |
| 3. | Offers magazines, ebooks, audiobooks, comics, etc. | Only offers audiobooks. |
| 4. | Prices start at $11.99 | Prices start at $7.99 |
| 5 | Has a good customer support team. | Has an impressive customer support system. |
Final Thoughts
Kindle Unlimited and Audible are two great choices for book readers. Each has its strengths as well as its weaknesses.
Your budget and personal preferences are the two major factors that determine which of these services you’ll eventually settle for.
Regardless of which option you choose, you’re guaranteed access to a wide range of genres and literary content to keep you enthused for as long as you desire.
FAQs
What’s the main difference between Kindle and Audible?
The main difference between the two is the format of the books. Kindle Unlimited primarily offers ebooks, while Audible gives you access to audiobooks only.
Do Kindle and Audible offer free trials?
Both Kindle Unlimited and Audible offer a 30-day free trial to everyone, provided they meet the terms and conditions for eligibility.
Which is better, Kindle or Audible?
The answer to this depends on your personal preferences. Kindle Unlimited is perfect for those who prefer to read texts, while Audible is ideal for those who love to listen to audiobooks.
