AudiobooksNow Explained: A Clear Overview
If you’ve been browsing audiobook options beyond Audible, you’ve probably stumbled across AudiobooksNow and wondered what it is. Is it a subscription? A store? Can you finally escape the Amazon ecosystem?
Here’s the short version: AudiobooksNow is an audiobook retail store owned by Books-A-Million, the same company behind the bookstore chain. It sells individual audiobooks à la carte, plus offers a subscription plan that gives you monthly credits. It’s not a streaming service like Spotify or Scribd, and it’s not tied to Audible’s DRM — which matters more than you might think.
But the details matter. Let’s break down how it works, what it costs, and who should actually use it.
Two Models, One Service: Store and Subscription Explained
AudiobooksNow operates on two models simultaneously, and understanding the difference is the key to deciding if it’s right for you.
The store model: You browse their catalog, buy individual audiobooks outright, and download them as MP3 or M4B files. No DRM lock-in. You own those files. You can play them in any app that handles audio files — Apple Books, the AudiobooksNow app, or even a plain music player.
The subscription model: For $14.95 per month, you get one credit per month, which you can redeem for any audiobook in their catalog, regardless of price. Unused credits roll over for up to six months. You also get member pricing on additional purchases (typically 30% off list price) and access to member-exclusive sales.
That’s the core distinction: you’re buying titles, not renting them. If you cancel the subscription, you keep every audiobook you purchased with credits. This is fundamentally different from streaming services where canceling means losing access.
The Audible Comparison: What’s Actually Different
If you’re trying to decide between AudiobooksNow and Audible, the honest answer is that they’re more similar than different — but the differences matter in specific situations.
DRM and file ownership. This is the biggest differentiator. Audible uses proprietary DRM that locks your audiobooks to Amazon’s ecosystem. AudiobooksNow sells DRM-free MP3 and M4B files. If you’ve ever wanted to back up your audiobooks, play them on a device that isn’t Amazon-approved, or move them between apps freely, that’s a significant advantage. The M4B format supports chapter markers and bookmarking, so you don’t lose those features either.
Pricing structure. Audible’s standard plan is also $14.95 per month for one credit. AudiobooksNow matches that price. However, Audible frequently runs promotions for new subscribers — like three months at $0.99 or discounted first credits — that AudiobooksNow doesn’t match. If you’re a new subscriber looking for the cheapest entry point, Audible’s promos usually win.
Catalog size. Audible’s catalog is substantially larger, and it includes Audible Originals — exclusive productions you can’t get anywhere else. AudiobooksNow carries mainstream titles from major publishers, but you won’t find as many indie productions or platform-exclusive content.
Whispersync. If you like switching between reading an ebook and listening to its audiobook, Audible’s Whispersync integration with Kindle is genuinely useful. AudiobooksNow has no equivalent feature. If you’re invested in Amazon’s ebook ecosystem, that’s a real loss.
The App Experience: What It’s Like to Actually Listen
The AudiobooksNow app is functional but not flashy. It handles the basics well: playback speed control (up to 3x), sleep timer, bookmarks, and chapter navigation. It syncs your listening progress across devices via their cloud service, so you can switch from your phone to your tablet without losing your place.
But here’s where the app’s limitations show: it doesn’t integrate with other audiobook platforms. If you buy some titles from AudiobooksNow and others from Audible, you’ll need separate apps for each. There’s no unified library feature. For listeners who consolidate everything into one app, that’s friction.
The saving grace is that DRM-free files mean you’re not forced to use the AudiobooksNow app. You can load your purchased files into Apple Books, which has a cleaner interface and better CarPlay integration, or use a dedicated audiobook player like Bookmobile or Bound. That flexibility is the real value proposition.
Try Audible Free for 30 Days — Start your free trial on Amazon and get two free audiobooks.
Who Should Use AudiobooksNow?
AudiobooksNow isn’t the best choice for everyone. It’s a specific tool for specific listening habits.
Choose AudiobooksNow if you care about file ownership. If you’ve ever lost access to purchased content due to platform changes, or if you want to archive your audiobooks for the long term, the DRM-free model is genuinely valuable. You can store your library on a hard drive, back it up to cloud storage, and know it’s yours permanently.
Choose AudiobooksNow if you want to avoid Amazon entirely. Some listeners are uncomfortable with Audible’s ecosystem lock-in or simply prefer to support a different retailer. Books-A-Million is a traditional bookstore chain, and AudiobooksNow is a smaller, more independent operation.
Skip AudiobooksNow if you want the largest catalog. Audible’s exclusive content and broader selection mean you’ll occasionally find titles on Audible that aren’t available here. If you’re a genre devotee who needs every obscure sci-fi novella or indie romance, Audible’s catalog is harder to beat.
Skip AudiobooksNow if you want the cheapest entry. Audible’s aggressive new-subscriber promotions make it significantly cheaper for the first few months. AudiobooksNow’s flat $14.95 pricing doesn’t compete on that front.
Subscription Fine Print: Terms Worth Knowing
Before you commit, there are a few details worth understanding about AudiobooksNow’s subscription terms.
Credit rollover. You can accumulate up to six unused credits. That’s generous compared to some services that expire credits monthly. If you’re a slow listener, this gives you breathing room.
Member pricing. The 30% discount on additional purchases applies to most titles, but not all. Some publishers set fixed prices that override the discount. Always check the final price before you assume the discount applies.
No family sharing. Unlike Audible’s household sharing feature, AudiobooksNow doesn’t offer a way to share your library with family members. Each account is separate.
Gift credits. You can buy credits to gift to someone else, but the recipient needs an AudiobooksNow account to use them. That’s a minor friction point if you’re gifting to someone who doesn’t already use the service.
A Simple Framework for Choosing Your Audiobook Service
If you’re torn between AudiobooksNow and other options, run through these three questions:
Do you already own an Amazon Echo, Kindle, or Fire tablet? If yes, Audible’s integration with those devices is convenient. AudiobooksNow’s DRM-free files won’t sync with your Kindle’s Whispersync or play natively on an Echo without extra setup.
Do you listen at 1.5x speed or faster? Both services handle speed adjustment fine, but AudiobooksNow’s app caps at 3x while Audible goes up to 3.5x. For most listeners, that difference won’t matter. For speed-listeners pushing the limits, it might.
Do you want to own your files forever? This is the decisive question. If you’re building a permanent library and want the flexibility to play your audiobooks anywhere, AudiobooksNow’s DRM-free approach is the stronger choice. If you’re fine with platform lock-in in exchange for convenience and a bigger catalog, Audible wins.
Final Thoughts on AudiobooksNow
AudiobooksNow is a legitimate, functional alternative to Audible with one genuinely compelling advantage: DRM-free ownership. It’s not the biggest catalog, and its app won’t win design awards, but it does what it promises. The subscription model is straightforward, the credits roll over, and the files are yours.
For listeners who value ownership and flexibility over convenience and catalog size, it’s worth a serious look. For everyone else, Audible’s ecosystem and promotional pricing make it the easier default. Neither choice is wrong — it just depends on what you’re optimizing for.
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