Does Amazon Prime Include Audible? (The Complete Lowdown)
I‘m sure you‘ve wondered—does my Amazon Prime membership get me free Audible audiobooks?
As a longtime Amazon seller and Prime member myself, I‘ve gotten this question a lot. And the answer is not a simple yes or no.
The short answer is: No, Amazon Prime does not include full access to Audible.
But Prime members do get some nice audiobook perks and discounts. Keep reading this in-depth guide to understand the full relationship between Prime and Audible from a seller‘s perspective.
How Amazon Prime and Audible Work Together
Before we dive into what you do and don‘t get, let‘s look at the Amazon Prime and Audible relationship:
Audible is Amazon‘s premier audiobook subscription service. It gives members unlimited access to over 475,000 audiobook titles, original audio content, and podcasts.
Amazon acquired Audible back in 2008. So while Audible operates independently, it‘s fully owned by Amazon.
Because of this connection, many Prime members (wrongly) assume an Audible subscription is included with Prime. But Audible requires a separate, paid membership.
However, Prime members do get special benefits and discounts when it comes to Audible, which we‘ll explore in-depth shortly.
First, let‘s quickly summarize what‘s included and not included with Prime:
What‘s Included with Amazon Prime
- Access to Prime Reading‘s rotating audiobook selection
- Access to some Audible Channels originals
- Exclusive Audible membership discounts up to 60% off
What‘s NOT Included with Amazon Prime
- Full Audible membership with unlimited listening
- Monthly Audible credits for new audiobooks
- Unlimited access to Audible‘s 475,000+ audiobook catalog
So in a nutshell, Prime gets you audiobook perks, but not unrestricted access to all of Audible.
Next, let‘s look at the Audible benefits Prime members do get.
Audible Perks Included with Amazon Prime
While Prime doesn‘t get you an all-access Audible pass, there are some nice audiobook perks included for members.
Free Audible Trials
One of the best Prime perks is access to extended free trials of Audible.
Normally, Audible offers new members a 30-day free trial with 1 audiobook credit.
But as a Prime member, you can get a 60-day free trial with 2 audiobook credits. That‘s double the standard trial length and credits.
These free trials let you check out Audible for up to 2 months risk-free. If you enjoy the service, you can continue your membership while still getting 25-60% off thanks to Prime.
Access to Audible Channels
With Prime, you also get free access to Audible Channels.
Channels give you streaming access to a selection of audiobooks, original content, and podcasts. However, it‘s a limited catalog—only about 10% of Audible‘s full library.
Still, Channels offer nice perks if you want to dip your toe into Audible, including:
- Thousands of audiobooks from top publishers like HarperCollins
- Popular podcasts like Stuff You Should Know
- Audible original programs like Sleepwalkers
Channels can be accessed on nearly any device with the Audible app. Just sign in using your Amazon credentials.
Think of Channels like Prime Reading, but for audiobooks and audio entertainment. The selection is limited, but it‘s a cool free perk of Prime.
Discounted Audible Memberships
Perhaps the best Prime perk is big discounts on Audible memberships.
Prime members save 25-60% on an Audible Gold or Platinum plan. This brings the monthly fee down to around $7-$10/month.
For example, some current discounted rates for Prime members include:
- 60% off your first 3 months of Audible Premium Plus ($7.95/month)
- 50% off your first 4 months of Audible Premium Plus ($8.95/month)
- 40% off an Audible Plus membership ($10.95/month)
Compare that to the regular prices:
| Plan | Regular Price | Prime Price |
|---|---|---|
| Audible Premium Plus | $14.95/month | $7.95-$10.95/month |
| Audible Plus | $14.95/month | $10.95/month |
These special rates make Audible much more affordable for avid listeners!
Now let‘s compare Prime Reading vs. Audible and breakdown what each offers.
Prime Reading vs. Audible Comparison
Since Prime Reading also includes audiobooks, how does it stack up to a full Audible membership?
Prime Reading grants access to thousands of ebooks, magazines, comics, and audiobooks.
However, Prime Reading has some limitations:
- Smaller audiobook selection (just a few thousand)
- Titles rotate in and out monthly
- Only 1 audiobook at a time, no credits
Whereas with Audible, you get:
- 475,000+ audiobooks available
- Every title remains in your permanent library
- 1-2 new credits to redeem each month
So in a nutshell:
| Prime Reading | Audible |
|---|---|
| Small, rotating audiobook selection | All 475,000+ titles available |
| Stream 1 book at a time | Unlimited listening |
| No credits | 1-2 credits per month |
Think of Prime Reading as a sample of Audible. It‘s nice for casual listeners who want to try some audiobooks for free.
But frequent listeners will prefer an Audible membership for unlimited access to the full catalog.
Do You Get Free Audible Books with Amazon Prime?
This is one of the most common questions I get from Prime members about Audible.
The short answer? You can access some free audiobooks through Prime Reading. But full access to Audible‘s catalog requires a paid membership.
Here‘s a quick recap of how to get free Audible books with Prime:
✅ Free 30-60 day Audible trials
✅ Prime Reading free audiobook selection
✅ Free Audible Channels
❌ Unlimited, free access to all Audible titles
So while Prime itself doesn‘t get you unlimited Audible access, you do get some nice free perks for sampling Audible as a Prime member.
How to Save on Audible Membership Costs
While not free, Audible is very reasonably priced for Prime members. Here are some tips for additional savings:
Take Advantage of Exclusive Prime Deals
Watch for special Prime-only discounts, especially around major sales events.
Pay Month-to-Month
Go with a 1-month membership instead of committing long-term to test Audible first.
Watch for Seasonal Promotions
Prime Day, Black Friday, and the holidays often bring nice Audible deals.
Utilize Gift Cards
Redeem Audible gift cards or gift yourself a membership to save.
Check Social Media
Audible promotes many offers on their social media accounts like Facebook and Twitter.
By stacking these tips, you can get Audible for extremely cheap—or even free—as a Prime member!
Should You Get Audible with Amazon Prime?
While Audible isn‘t 100% free with Prime, the perks and discounts you get make it very worthwhile in my opinion.
Especially if you listen to audiobooks often, Audible gives you unlimited access to an incredible catalog for just $8-$10/month as a Prime member. That‘s a steal!
And Audible integrates seamlessly into the Amazon ecosystem with Kindles, Fire tablets, Alexa devices, and more.
So while not included outright, Audible offers amazing value when bundled with Prime. I highly recommend it for any book lover.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m happy to share more insights from the seller perspective.
