Audiobook Free Trial: How It Works (and the Best Free Option)

Searching for a free audiobook trial? Here’s the honest breakdown of how the big free trials work — and the one we think gives new listeners the best deal.

How audiobook free trials work

Most audiobook services use the same model: sign up, get a free trial period with one or more credits, and each credit lets you pick an audiobook to enjoy. The differences come down to trial length, how many credits you get, the size of the catalog, and the monthly price after the trial.

Audible’s free trial

Audible (Amazon’s service) offers a 30-day free trial that includes one credit, after which Audible Premium Plus runs about $14.95/month for one credit. It has an enormous catalog and many exclusives. The catch: it’s one of the pricier options, and the credit/return rules can be restrictive. (Always check Audible’s site for current terms — pricing changes.)

A strong free alternative: Audiobooks.com

Audiobooks.com offers its own free trial with a credit toward any audiobook, a catalog of hundreds of thousands of titles, and a price point that’s friendly for casual listeners. If you mostly want a steady audiobook habit without Amazon’s ecosystem, it’s an easy, low-commitment way to start — and you can listen free during the trial.

Which should you pick?

If you want the absolute largest catalog and specific Audible exclusives, Audible is hard to beat. If you want a simple, generous free trial to start listening today with no Amazon lock-in, begin with Audiobooks.com — you can always compare for yourself, free.

FAQ

Is the free trial really free?
Yes — you can listen during the trial and keep your credited audiobook even if you cancel before it ends.

Do I keep the audiobook if I cancel?
You can listen to it free during your 30-day trial.

Related guides

• Best Audible Alternatives
• How Much Is Audible?
• The Best Audiobooks to Listen To
• All Audiobook Guides

Official sources: Audible