AudiobooksNow: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
If you’ve been comparing audiobook services, you’ve probably noticed AudiobooksNow sitting in search results alongside Audible, promising competitive pricing and a different ownership model. The “AudiobooksNow upgrade” question typically comes from one of two places: you’re already using the service and wondering if a higher tier is worth it, or you’re comparing it against Audible before committing your listening budget.
Here’s the straightforward version: AudiobooksNow is a digital audiobook retailer owned by Books-A-Million, and its “upgrade” means moving between membership tiers or switching from a la carte purchases to a subscription plan. Unlike Audible’s credit-based system, AudiobooksNow uses a membership discount model — you pay a monthly fee to unlock lower prices on individual purchases. That distinction drives every value calculation that follows.
How AudiobooksNow’s Membership Model Differs from Audible’s Credits
AudiobooksNow doesn’t hand you a monthly credit like Audible does. Instead, it offers membership tiers that reduce the per-book price across its catalog. The base membership runs around $9.95 per month, unlocking member pricing that typically lands 30–40% below retail. A premium tier around $14.95 per month deepens those discounts and occasionally includes promotional credits.
The practical difference: you still buy each book individually, but at a discounted rate. If you listen to two or three books per month, the math can work in your favor. If you listen to one or fewer, you’re paying a membership fee for discounts you never use.
Take a concrete example. A new release like The Women by Kristin Hannah might retail for $24.99 on AudiobooksNow. As a member, that drops to roughly $14.99–$16.99 depending on your tier. Compare that to Audible, where one credit from a $14.95 monthly plan gets you the same title regardless of its retail price. The value calculus flips depending on what you listen to and how often.
One important boundary: this comparison assumes you’re looking at mainstream titles from major publishers. AudiobooksNow’s catalog doesn’t include Audible Originals or platform-exclusive productions, so if your listening diet leans heavily on exclusive content, the discount model won’t help you — those titles simply aren’t there to buy at any price.
What an Upgrade Changes — and What Stays Exactly the Same
When people search for an “AudiobooksNow upgrade,” they’re usually asking one of three things.
Moving from standard to premium tier. Your existing library carries over completely. You don’t lose access to purchased titles, and your listening progress syncs across devices. What changes is the discount percentage on future purchases and occasional access to member-exclusive sales.
Upgrading from a free account to a membership. This is the most common path. Free accounts let you buy audiobooks at full retail price. The membership simply unlocks the discounted pricing structure. There’s no retroactive discount on books you already bought — so if you’re sitting on a wishlist, upgrade before your next purchase, not after.
Deciding whether upgrading beats switching platforms entirely. This is the real question, and the answer depends heavily on your listening habits and whether you care about DRM and file ownership.
Here’s what the upgrade does not change: AudiobooksNow’s DRM policy stays identical. Purchased audiobooks remain tied to your account and playable through the AudiobooksNow app or compatible apps that support their file format. You can’t easily transfer your library to another platform, which matters if you’re thinking about long-term flexibility. Upgrading your tier doesn’t loosen that restriction — it only changes what you pay for future purchases.
The Upgrade Process: What to Expect Before You Commit
Upgrading your AudiobooksNow account is straightforward. Log in, navigate to your account settings, and select the membership tier you want. The price difference is prorated for the remainder of your current billing cycle, so you’re not paying double for overlapping time. Your library, listening progress, and bookmarks carry over without interruption.
Before you click upgrade, verify the current promotion terms. AudiobooksNow frequently runs promotional pricing for new members, but existing members upgrading don’t always receive those same deals. Check whether the promotion applies to tier changes or only to new signups — otherwise you might expect a discounted first month that never materializes on your invoice.
A quick verification step: after upgrading, make a test purchase of a title you’ve been eyeing. Confirm the member price actually reflects the new discount tier before you assume it’s active. Occasionally, the system needs a moment to propagate the new tier to your account, and you don’t want to pay full retail on your first post-upgrade purchase because you didn’t check.
AudiobooksNow vs. Audible: Where the Upgrade Falls Short
If you’re weighing an AudiobooksNow upgrade against Audible’s ecosystem, the comparison breaks down into a few decisive factors.
Pricing structure. AudiobooksNow’s membership discounts can beat Audible’s credit system for budget-conscious listeners who buy during sales. Audible’s credits are more predictable — one credit equals one book, regardless of price. AudiobooksNow requires you to track retail prices and calculate whether the discount justifies the membership fee.
Catalog size. Audible has a significantly larger catalog, including a massive library of Audible Originals and exclusive productions. AudiobooksNow’s catalog is respectable but smaller, and it sometimes lacks the exclusive content that genre devotees seek out.
Narrator quality. Both platforms carry titles from major publishers, so narrator quality is comparable for mainstream releases. AudiobooksNow doesn’t produce its own originals, which means you won’t find exclusive performances like the full-cast Sandman adaptation that Audible offers.
Ownership and DRM. This is where AudiobooksNow’s model gets tricky. Purchased titles are tied to your account. If AudiobooksNow ever shut down, your library could be at risk. Audible has the same structural issue, but its parent company (Amazon) makes that scenario less likely in the near term.
App experience. AudiobooksNow’s app is functional but not polished. It lacks some of the advanced features that Audible users take for granted, like Whispersync integration with Kindle ebooks, immersive audio options, and robust bookmarking and note-taking tools.
The trade-off you need to accept: AudiobooksNow’s discount model rewards high-volume buyers who shop sales, but it punishes casual listeners. If you buy one book per month, the membership fee eats most of your savings. If you buy three or more, the discount model can beat Audible’s credit system — but you’ll be doing more math and living with a less refined app.
Try Audible Free for 30 Days — Start your free trial on Amazon and get two free audiobooks.
When the Upgrade Makes Sense (and When It Doesn’t)
The AudiobooksNow upgrade is worth it if you meet these conditions.
You buy 2+ audiobooks per month. The membership discount needs volume to pay for itself. At $9.95 per month, you need to save at least $10 across your purchases to break even. Two books at 30% off a $20 average retail price saves you $12 — just barely worth it.
You don’t care about exclusive content. If you’re a genre devotee who needs every new sci-fi or fantasy release, Audible’s exclusives will eventually pull you in.
You’re okay with a basic app. AudiobooksNow’s player gets the job done, but it won’t win any design awards.
The upgrade doesn’t make sense if you listen to fewer than one book per month — you’ll pay more in membership fees than you save in discounts. It also falls short if you value ecosystem integration, since Audible pairs naturally with Kindle ebooks and Whispersync. And if you want to own your files, neither platform gives you true ownership, but AudiobooksNow’s smaller corporate backing makes the risk slightly more tangible.
A realistic failure mode: the most common complaint from AudiobooksNow members isn’t about the app or the catalog — it’s about the discount not being as deep as expected on specific titles. Some new releases and bestsellers are excluded from member pricing or carry a smaller discount than the advertised 30–40%. Before upgrading, check the member price on three or four titles you actually plan to buy. If those specific books don’t show meaningful discounts, the membership fee won’t pay for itself no matter how many books you buy.
The Practical Takeaway on AudiobooksNow Upgrade
The AudiobooksNow upgrade is a reasonable choice for a specific type of listener: someone who buys multiple audiobooks per month, doesn’t need exclusive content, and prioritizes cost savings over app polish and ecosystem features. For everyone else, Audible’s credit system and broader catalog offer more predictable value.
Before you upgrade, calculate your average monthly audiobook spending and compare it against what you’d save with the membership discount. Check the member prices on the specific titles you want — not the advertised average discount. If the numbers work, the upgrade is a solid way to stretch your listening budget. If they don’t, you’re better off sticking with a la carte purchases or exploring other platforms.
The real takeaway: an AudiobooksNow upgrade doesn’t change your library, your listening experience, or your ownership rights. It only changes the price you pay for future purchases. Whether that’s worth it depends entirely on how many books you buy and how much you value the other platforms’ advantages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade my AudiobooksNow membership mid-cycle?
Yes. The price difference is prorated for the remainder of your current billing cycle, so you only pay the difference between your current tier and the new one for the time remaining.
Do I lose my purchased audiobooks if I downgrade or cancel?
No. Purchased titles stay tied to your account and remain playable. Downgrading or canceling only affects the discount rate on future purchases.
Does AudiobooksNow offer a free trial for the membership?
AudiobooksNow has occasionally offered trial periods for new members, but the availability varies. Check the current terms on their site before signing up, and note that promotional pricing often applies only to new accounts, not upgrades.
Can I listen to AudiobooksNow purchases on my phone and tablet?
Yes, through the AudiobooksNow app, which is available for iOS and Android. Your library and listening progress sync across devices when you’re logged into the same account.
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