Download or Rent Audiobooks Online
Interested in enjoying a great audiobook? You’re not alone. According to the Association of American Publishers, sales of audiobooks increased more than 25 percent in 2007 and there are more choices than ever. Unfortunately, with more choices comes more confusion. Fortunately, we can help. In association with the three top-rated audiobook providers in the U.S. (Audible, Booksfree and Simply Audiobooks — see press clippings at left ) we’ll help you choose the best provider and plan that best fits your needs. In just a few minutes you’ll be signed up and selecting your first audiobook from among thousands of best-selling titles from one of the top-rated providers! And don’t forget to read our article about the top 7 reasons to “read with your ears,” a look at the benefits that audiobooks offer over traditional reading.
Should I Purchase/Download or Rent Audiobooks?
It really depends on your reading habits and budget. If you prefer to listen on a portable mp3 player, downloading is by far the most convenient approach. There’s no waiting for mail deliveries or availability of popular titles, no scratched or dirty discs, and you can download audiobooks as often as you need. In addition, downloaded audiobooks are easier to manage on your computer and mp3 player/iPod and include chapter breaks and bookmarking capabilities. Finally, when you download a book, it’s yours to keep. This is ideal for those who want to build their digital library and like to reread their favorites.
On the other hand, if you’re accustomed to Simply Audiobooks, you already know how Audibook rentals work. You create a list of titles you want and the next available title is automatically shipped to you. When finished, you return it. No late fees and shipping is prepaid in both directions. Though you’ll have to wait for the mail and, in some cases, availability of popular titles, you can enjoy audiobook CDs in your car or on any CD or mp3 player/iPod. If you rent books on CD, however, remember that a single book may require 8 or 9 CDs which will take time to rip onto your computer and then transfer to your mp3 player/iPod. (Some audiobooks are available on MP3-CDs which can hold much more than a standard audio CD, often an entire book.) While not as convenient as downloading, renting audiobooks can be more economical.
Recommendations at a Glance
The following table summarizes our recommendations for the top-rated audiobook provider that best fits your needs. For more detailed comparison of the three top audiobook providers, please consult How They Compare below.
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We recommend…
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![]() DOWNLOAD Audiobooks |
If your primary interest is in downloading audiobooks, Audible’s massive library of 40,000 downloadable audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, podcasts is unrivaled. In addition, Audible’s downloads play on virtually any mp3 player, including the Apple iPod and iTunes. Membership: $14.95/mo (includes 1 download credit); $22.95/mo (includes 2 credits); $9.95/year (no credits) Special Offer: Get your first 3 months for $7.49/month (Cancel anytime.) ![]() |
![]() RENT Audiobook CDs |
![]() With a library of more than 22,000 audiobook CD titles, Simply Audiobooks has helped to pioneer the Netflix model in the world of audiobooks. Membership: |
![]() Download audiobooks |
FREE TRIAL Membership: $9.99/mo (1 audiobook rental at a time)(Cancel anytime.) |
Choose from Thousands of Titles!
Choose from today’s best sellers or yesteryear’s classics. Need help? Get expert recommendations from Oprah’s picks, the Today Show’s picks, and get personalized recommendations based on your reading history.
Fiction
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Non-Fiction
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Recommendations
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Action, Horror, Suspense & Thrillers Fantasy Mystery & DetectiveReligious & Spiritual Romance Science Fiction Young Adult Popular Miscellaneous Other Miscellaneous |
Biography/Autobiography Body, Mind & Spirit Business & Economics Family & Relationships Foreign Language Study Health & Fitness History Humor Philosophy Poetry Political Science Religion Self-Help Social Science Sports Young Adult Popular Miscellaneous Other Miscellaneous |
Audies Awards
Award Winners Bestsellers Classics Member Favorites Oprah’s Picks Quill Awards Today Show Picks New Releases
New Additions Coming Attractions Recommended for You!
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How They Compare
You won’t go wrong with any of the top three audiobook providers. Each are well-established, provide excellent service and have enjoyed accolades from the media (see sidebar at left) and strong testimonials from their subscribers. But each provider offers something a bit different, so choose the one that best meets your needs. The following table provides some more detailed comparisons:
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Pricing | ![]() Platinum: $22.95/mo (includes 2 credits) Or, membership at $9.95/year (no credits)
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Rent/Purchase | Purchase (Download only) | Purchase (Download only) | Rent CDs or Download (Purchase) |
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So, Is Audible Worth It?
Paying a monthly fee to get Audible membership is worth it if you listen to audio on the go and love reading.
I often buy the ebook and audiobook, a habit that proves expensive, but I like having versions I can annotate and highlight. For me, it simplifies reading and writing. You can mark your place in an audiobook and make notes using the Audible app. However, this isn’t as efficient as having a copy of the book that you can flick through on a screen or a tablet.
I also haven’t found a way of lending audiobooks to friends or colleagues and the audiobook recommendation system in the app isn’t as developed as the one on Amazon. I’ve been an Audible subscriber since 2014. I’ve listened to dozens of fiction and non-fiction books over the past years on Audible using my Apple iPhone.
Audible is my favourite way of making the most of my time while commuting, exercising and travelling. If you want to take out an Audible 30-day trial, you get a free book. If you want to try Audible and need some book recommendations,
Source: Read more
The easiest and most economical way is to buy credits in our store: buy audible credits
only $5.9 per 1 credit and many promotions.