Many people assume that Audible comes free with Amazon Prime—but that’s not exactly true. While Prime and Audible are both Amazon services, they work a bit differently. Let’s break it down clearly so you know exactly what you get and what you don’t.
Is Audible Free With Amazon Prime?
Short answer: No.
Audible membership is not included with Amazon Prime.
However, Amazon Prime members do get special offers. If you’re a Prime member, you’re often eligible to start an Audible free trial with extra benefits, such as two free audiobook credits instead of one. Each credit can be used for any audiobook, including bestsellers and new releases.
Are There Extra Audible Benefits for Amazon Prime Members?
Yes, there are a few perks 👇
- Prime members often receive exclusive Audible trial deals
- You may get 2 free credits when starting Audible Premium Plus
- These credits can be used on any title, not just selected books
- Even if you’ve used an Audible trial before, Prime members may still qualify for special promotions
That said, once the trial ends, Audible becomes a paid subscription unless you cancel.
How Can You Get Audible for Free?
If you’re new to Audible, you can start with a 30-day free trial.
Here’s how it works:
- Get 1–2 free audiobook credits during the trial
- After 30 days, the plan renews automatically (around $14.95/month in the U.S.)
- You can cancel anytime before the trial ends
- Listen on the Audible app (iOS & Android) or on Alexa-enabled devices
Even if you cancel after the trial, the audiobooks you bought with credits are yours forever.
Do You Have to Pay for Audiobooks If You Have Amazon Prime?
Yes. Having Amazon Prime alone does not let you listen to Audible audiobooks for free.
But Prime members do get:
- Discounted or bonus Audible trials
- Free audiobooks during promotions
- Access to Prime Reading and Amazon First Reads (ebooks, not Audible)
So while Prime doesn’t replace Audible, it does make Audible cheaper to try.
Is There a Free Alternative to Audible?
Yes! If you’re looking for free or low-cost options, try these:
- Libby (by OverDrive) – Free audiobooks via your local library
- Hoopla – Audiobooks, movies, and ebooks with a library card
- LibriVox – Free public-domain audiobooks
- Spotify – Some audiobooks included with Premium
These are great options if you don’t want a monthly Audible subscription.
How Many Books Can You Read for Free With Amazon Prime?
With Amazon Prime, you get access to Prime Reading, which includes:
- Around 10 rotating books and magazines you can borrow at a time
- Amazon First Reads:
- 1 free new ebook every month (sometimes 2 during promotions)
- This book is yours to keep forever
Note: These are ebooks, not audiobooks.
How Do You Connect Audible to Your Amazon Prime Account?
Audible and Amazon accounts can be linked easily:
- Go to Account Details
- Select “Merge Now”
- Enter your Audible and Amazon login information
- Choose a payment method
- Select Finish
Once merged, both services work seamlessly together.
Can You Keep Audiobooks After Canceling Audible?
Yes 👍
Any audiobook you purchased with credits or cash is yours forever—even after canceling your membership.
However:
- You’ll lose access to titles from the Audible Plus Catalog
- Purchased books can still be downloaded and listened to anytime
Why Can’t I Listen to My Audiobook on Audible?
The most common reason is being logged into the wrong Audible marketplace (for example, Audible UK vs Audible US).
To fix it:
- Sign out of the Audible app
- Sign back in using the marketplace where you bought the audiobook
- Refresh your library
Your titles should appear once you’re in the correct region.
Final Thoughts
Amazon Prime doesn’t give you Audible for free—but it does make Audible easier and cheaper to try. If you love audiobooks, the free trial alone is worth it. And if not, there are plenty of solid free alternatives through libraries and other platforms.