Audible is Amazon’s premier audiobook service, offering access to hundreds of thousands of audiobooks, original content, and podcasts. While Audible can be tremendously useful for avid listeners, a recurring subscription can become expensive over time. Fortunately, canceling your Audible membership is straightforward with just a few simple steps.
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Why You Might Want to Cancel Audible
Here are some of the most common reasons people decide to cancel their Audible membership:
- The cost adds up over time – An Audible Plus membership costs $7.95 per month, while the Premium Plus membership ranges from $14.95 to $22.95 per month. That recurring fee can drain your wallet if you aren’t actively using the service.
- You’re not using it enough – If you find that you aren’t taking full advantage of everything Audible offers, it doesn’t make financial sense to keep paying for it month after month.
- You want to try other services – There are several notable Audible alternatives to choose from, including Libro.fm and Scribd. You may want to cancel Audible to free up funds to try other audiobook services.
- You prefer physical books – Even avid readers find that they prefer holding an actual book in their hands. If you fall into that camp, continuing an Audible subscription doesn’t align with your reading preferences.
How to Cancel Your Audible Membership
Canceling your Audible membership only takes a few minutes. Here is the step-by-step process:
- Go to the Audible website and log into your account
- Click on Account Details
- Under Membership Details, click on Cancel Membership
- On the cancellation page:
- Select your reason for canceling
- Click Continue Canceling
- Confirm the cancellation on the final page
You will continue to have access to Audible until the end of your current billing period. However, your membership will not renew, and billing will stop at that point.
Alternative Cancellation Methods
If you manage your Audible membership through iPhone, Android, or Amazon subscriptions, you can alternatively cancel through those platforms:
- iPhone – Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions > Audible > Cancel Subscription
- Android – Open the Play Store > Menu > Subscriptions > Audible > Cancel
- Amazon – Go to Account > Memberships & Subscriptions > Audible > Cancel
What Happens When You Cancel Audible
Here’s what to expect after canceling your Audible membership:
- You keep all previously purchased audiobooks in your library. They remain accessible in your Audible library.
- You lose access to Audible Plus titles and Audible Originals. Without an active membership, you cannot stream those titles.
- Credits expire – Any unused credits left in your account will expire within 90 days unless you reactivate your membership.
- You can reactivate your membership at any time without creating a new account. Simply login and re-subscribe.
So in summary, cancellation cuts off future access and billing but does not retroactively remove anything you previously downloaded or purchased.
Before You Cancel: Consider Downgrading
Rather than fully canceling your Audible membership, you do have the option to downgrade to a cheaper subscription tier.
The Audible Plus plan grants full access to the Plus audiobook and podcast catalog for just $7.95 per month. Although more limited than Premium Plus, it’s a nice middle ground if you still want streaming access at a lower price point.
Downgrading is easy – just follow the same steps for cancellation but choose the “Switch, pause, or cancel” contact reason. An Audible rep can quickly switch your account to the cheaper plan.
What Are the Best Audible Alternatives?
If Audible as a whole no longer meets your needs or budget, you may want to research some alternatives audiobook services. Here are two great options to consider:
- Libro.fm – Offers the same audiobook catalog as Audible but allows you to support an independent local bookstore. Pricing starts at $14.99 per month and includes 1 credit for any audiobook.
- Scribd – For $11.99 per month, you get unlimited access to Scribd’s catalog of over 1 million ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more. It’s a nice budget-friendly alternative.
There are also free options like Libby and Hoopla that allow you to borrow audiobooks from your local library’s digital collection.
The key is finding the right balance of selection, price, and features that align with your listening preferences. With multiple services to choose from, you have options if Audible no longer fits your needs.
Canceling Audible: Final Thoughts
While Audible makes exploring the world of audiobooks incredibly convenient, maintaining a subscription isn’t necessary for all book lovers. Fortunately, the cancellation process through Amazon is quick and straightforward.
Before pulling the plug, consider whether a cheaper Audible Plus membership may be right for you. But if you’re ready to move on fully, alternatives like Libro.fm and Scribd offer great value.
No matter what you decide, happy listening! The world of audiobooks and digital reading continues to expand, so there’s never a shortage of literary adventures awaiting you.
