Amazon announced today that Music Unlimited subscriptions now includes Audible audiobook benefits as well. Music Unlimited subscribers will get to listen to one free audiobook each month, and also access to the full Audible library of free podcasts and audiobooks.
It looks to be cheaper to buy a Music Unlimited subscription (with Audible benefits) at $9.99-$10.99 per month instead of an Audible Premium Plus subscription at $14.95 per month. But readers point out that with an Audible membership you get to purchase/own one book each month whereas with the Music Unlimited membership you just get to listen to one book each month, without permanent ownership.
Amazon Music Unlimited is also offering a special now with 3 months free (affiliate link here and below); just check that the offer is showing for you before signing up.
Audible often runs special signup offers as well. Currently they are offering Audible membership at $.99 per month for 3 months, along with a free $20 Audible credit. That offer expires 12/2/24; we wrote about it in a separate post.
Amazon does not let you “own” any digital products – they just license the product to you through the Audible platform. If Audible loses the right to re-license the product to you due to a falling out with the copyright owner, or if you are found to violate the Audible terms and conditions, your license for the product will be forfeited and you will no longer be able to access it through your Audible library. So when the FAQ states “Anything you’ve selected with a credit will be yours to keep”, I still highly recommend making backups of the files and not relying on Amazon to keep them safe for you.
My impression is that it’s more like borrowing for a month, not that you get to keep it like with a real Audible subscription.
Ahh, I thought I was missing something. Let me try to clarify in the post.
It doesn’t seem that it lets you “own” one book a month like the top level Audible lets you
My 3 month trial expired today. I got 3 books with the monthly credits. I still have access to the books without a subscription so I’m fine for now.