In this guide, we cover how Audible works and how you can use it to download audiobooks.
What Is Audible?
Audible is a service that sells audiobooks as well as a platform for customers to listen to them. Audiobooks work more or less like books-on-tape: The owner of a title sells the rights to produce a book on audio; a studio works with voice actors and sound editors to produce the audiobook; and a distributor (Audible, in this case) sells the finished product to customers.
Buying Audiobooks
When you purchase an Audible book, it’s added to your account and delivered to you as a DRM-protected audio file. You can listen to the book using the Audible app on a variety of devices, including your computer, phone, tablet, or e-reader. The Audible book is yours forever once you purchase it, just like a print or e-book.
Audible Originals
In addition to books, Audible produces original content, called Originals. Some of these aren’t quite books, in the traditional sense. They include a musical production of War of the Worlds and a list of random facts from the year 2018, among others. While their format may be different, they are treated like books when it comes to purchasing them, and they aren’t available anywhere else.
Audible’s Subscription Options
An Audible subscription begins with a free 30-day trial. It includes a free audiobook of your choice and up to two Audible Originals. If you decide to continue with the service after the trial, you will pay for a monthly subscription, which gives you one credit that you can use to pick up a book and two to use for Originals. Most books cost one credit.
Audible Books A La Carte
How to Get Audible Versions of Books You Own
A third option is to get the Audible narration of Kindle e-books that you already own. Here’s how to do this:
Signing Up for an Audible Subscription
While many people who listen to Audible books opt for a subscription, you don’t need one to use the service. Nothing prevents you from buying books piecemeal, either by themselves or as an add-on to a Kindle book. However, an advantage of the subscription is that many Audible books cost more than the subscription cost, yet you can purchase them for a single credit. You effectively get a discount by subscribing.
