What is AudibooksNow
If you’ve been searching for a new place to get audiobooks, you’ve likely run across AudiobooksNow. It’s one of those names that pops up in comparison articles and forum threads, but it rarely gets the same attention as Audible or Libby. So what is it exactly, and should it be on your radar?
AudiobooksNow is a digital audiobook retailer that sells individual titles and subscription credits, letting you own the files you purchase rather than merely renting access to them. It’s been around since 2011, operating as a subsidiary of Books-A-Million, and it positions itself as a straightforward alternative to the subscription-heavy giants. You pay for a book, you download it, and it’s yours to keep in MP3 or M4B format — no app required to play it back, though they do offer one.
The service is best understood as a middle ground between the all-you-can-listen model of Audible Plus and the borrow-and-return model of your local library. It’s a store, not a streaming platform. That distinction matters more than most people realize — and it should shape whether you even consider signing up.
The Core Model: Buy Credits, Own Books
AudiobooksNow operates on a credit system similar to Audible’s, but with a few key differences. You can buy individual titles outright at their listed price, or you can sign up for a monthly membership that grants you one credit per month (or more, depending on the tier). A credit can be redeemed for any book in their catalog, regardless of that book’s retail price.
Here’s where it gets interesting: AudiobooksNow frequently runs sales where credits drop to around $9.99 each, and they offer a “credit rollover” feature that lets you bank up to six credits at a time. If you’re someone who likes to stock up during a sale and then methodically work through a backlog, that’s a genuinely useful perk.
The catalog itself is substantial — over 300,000 titles — though it skews toward mainstream bestsellers and popular backlist. You’ll find the latest James Patterson and Stephen King, plenty of romance and thriller options, and a solid selection of classics. What you won’t find as much of is deep-cut indie work or niche genre fiction. If your taste runs toward obscure space opera or experimental literary fiction, you’ll likely hit the catalog’s limits faster than you would on Audible.
What this means for your next purchase: If you’re a mainstream fiction listener, AudiobooksNow’s catalog will likely cover your needs. If you primarily listen to indie sci-fi, niche romance subgenres, or foreign-language titles, check their search results before committing to a membership — otherwise you might find yourself with credits and nothing you want to spend them on.
File Ownership and the DRM Question
The most significant differentiator between AudiobooksNow and its bigger competitor is file ownership. When you buy a book from AudiobooksNow, you download DRM-free MP3 or M4B files. That means you can play them on any device, back them up to a hard drive, and keep them permanently — even if you cancel your account.
This is a genuinely important distinction. Audible’s files are locked to its ecosystem, and while you can convert them with third-party tools, it’s a hassle and technically violates Amazon’s terms of service. AudiobooksNow skips that entire dance. You buy a book, you own the file, and you can do what you like with it.
The trade-off is that AudiobooksNow doesn’t offer Whispersync, Amazon’s technology that syncs your reading position between an ebook and its audiobook counterpart. If you’re someone who likes to switch between reading on a Kindle and listening in the car, that feature’s absence might be a dealbreaker. It’s a classic trade-off: ownership and flexibility versus ecosystem integration.
How to verify file compatibility before you buy: Navigate to any title’s product page on AudiobooksNow and look for the “Format” section in the details. It will explicitly state whether the book is available as MP3, M4B, or both. If you plan to listen on an older MP3 player or a device with specific format requirements, confirm the format matches before you redeem a credit. M4B files support chapter markers and bookmarking, which makes them the better choice for long books — but not every device plays them natively.
The App Experience: Functional but Basic
AudiobooksNow offers a mobile app for iOS and Android, and it does the job. You can browse the catalog, purchase books, download them for offline listening, and adjust playback speed. The interface is clean enough, though it lacks the polish of Audible’s app.
What’s missing? There’s no sleep timer with granular controls, no chapter art or enhanced book details, and no social features to speak of. The app also doesn’t support spatial audio or some of the newer immersive formats that have started appearing on other platforms. If you’re a listener who just wants a reliable player with variable speed and bookmarks, it works fine. If you’re someone who enjoys the bells and whistles of a more developed app, you’ll notice the difference.
One thing that does work well is the app’s library management. Downloaded books are organized clearly, and playback position syncs across devices through their cloud system. It’s not as seamless as Audible’s sync, but it’s reliable enough for most listeners.
Where the app can trip you up: Because AudiobooksNow sells DRM-free files, you can play your purchased books in any podcast app or media player you already use — like Apple Books, VLC, or even Google Podcasts. Many longtime users skip the AudiobooksNow app entirely and import their MP3s into a player they already know. If you try the app and find it too bare-bones, that’s not a reason to abandon the service — it’s a sign to use your own player instead.
Pricing: Where the Value Actually Sits
Let’s talk numbers, because that’s where AudiobooksNow gets interesting. A standard monthly membership costs $14.99 per credit. That’s the same as Audible’s basic plan. But AudiobooksNow regularly offers discounted credit bundles — you can often buy three credits for around $29.99 or five for $49.99 during promotional periods.
For comparison, Audible’s premium plans start at $14.95 per month for one credit, and their three-credit bundles run about $35.88. AudiobooksNow’s sale prices undercut that, especially if you’re willing to buy in bulk.
The catch? AudiobooksNow’s membership doesn’t include access to a Plus catalog — the rotating selection of included titles that Audible offers to subscribers. With AudiobooksNow, every book costs a credit or cash. There’s no “free with membership” tier to browse. If you’re a voracious listener who goes through more than two books a month, Audible’s Plus catalog can provide significant value that AudiobooksNow simply doesn’t match.
Here’s a concrete example: Say you listen to three books per month. On AudiobooksNow, you’d need three credits — roughly $30 during a sale. On Audible, you could use your one monthly credit for a new release and then dip into the Plus catalog for the other two books at no additional cost. If those Plus selections happen to include something you’d enjoy, Audible becomes the better value despite the higher nominal price.
If you’re a more moderate listener — one or two books per month — AudiobooksNow’s sale credits can save you real money, and you get permanent files to show for it.
A practical way to decide: Before committing to any membership, count how many books you actually finished in the last 90 days. If the answer is three or fewer, AudiobooksNow’s per-credit cost during sales will likely beat Audible’s per-credit cost. If you’re finishing five or more, the lack of a streaming catalog will make AudiobooksNow noticeably more expensive per book — and Audible’s Plus catalog becomes the deciding factor.
Try Audible Free for 30 Days — Start your free trial on Amazon and get two free audiobooks.
How It Compares to Other Services
To understand AudiobooksNow’s place in the market, it helps to stack it against the alternatives.
Audible remains the 800-pound gorilla. It has the largest catalog, the best app, and the most robust ecosystem. But its DRM locks you in, and its pricing has crept upward over the years. AudiobooksNow is the better choice if you value file ownership and don’t mind a slightly smaller catalog.
Libby and Hoopla are free through your local library, which makes them unbeatable on price. But availability depends on what your library licenses, and there are often waitlists for popular titles. AudiobooksNow offers immediate access and permanent ownership — a fair trade for the cost.
Scribd (now Everand) offers unlimited listening for a flat monthly fee, but its catalog rotates and popular titles can become unavailable mid-month. AudiobooksNow’s catalog is stable, and once you buy a book, it’s yours.
Libro.fm is the closest ethical competitor. It sells DRM-free audiobooks through independent bookstores, and its pricing is comparable to Audible’s. The key difference is that Libro.fm supports local bookshops, while AudiobooksNow is tied to Books-A-Million. If supporting indie bookstores matters to you, Libro.fm is the better pick.
One more comparison worth making: Downpour is another DRM-free audiobook retailer that operates on a similar model. It offers a monthly membership with one credit for around $13, plus a small member discount on additional purchases. Downpour’s catalog is smaller than AudiobooksNow’s, but it includes a rental option for select titles at a reduced price — useful if you want to listen once without committing to ownership. If AudiobooksNow’s catalog feels limiting, Downpour is worth a look as a backup.
Who Should Use AudiobooksNow?
AudiobooksNow makes the most sense for a specific type of listener: someone who wants to own their audiobook library outright, listens at a moderate pace, and doesn’t need the latest app features or a massive streaming catalog.
If you’re a commuter who goes through one or two books a month and wants to build a permanent collection, AudiobooksNow’s sale credits are a solid value. The DRM-free files mean you can back everything up, switch devices freely, and never worry about losing access to your library.
If you’re a power listener who devours four or five books a month, or someone who loves the convenience of a streaming catalog, you’ll probably find AudiobooksNow limiting. The lack of a Plus-style catalog means every book costs money, and that adds up quickly.
A warning about membership timing: AudiobooksNow’s credits don’t expire as long as your membership stays active, but if you cancel, you lose any unused credits immediately. Before canceling, check your credit balance and spend down anything you’ve banked. It’s an easy step to overlook, and it’s the most common complaint from departing users.
The Bottom Line
AudiobooksNow is a legitimate, functional alternative to Audible with one major advantage — you own your files — and one major limitation — no streaming catalog. It’s not trying to be the biggest or the flashiest; it’s trying to be the most straightforward. For listeners who value ownership and don’t need constant novelty, it’s a compelling option worth considering.
The service won’t replace Audible for everyone, and it shouldn’t. But if you’ve ever felt uneasy about having hundreds of dollars tied up in DRM-locked files, AudiobooksNow offers a way out. It’s a quieter, more modest approach to audiobook retail — and for the right listener, that’s exactly what makes it valuable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I listen to AudiobooksNow purchases on my Kindle?
No. AudiobooksNow files are MP3 or M4B format, which Kindle devices don’t support for audiobook playback. You’ll need to use the AudiobooksNow app, a smartphone, or any MP3-capable device.
Does AudiobooksNow have a free trial?
AudiobooksNow occasionally offers promotional deals, but there isn’t a standard free trial like Audible’s 30-day offer. You can browse the catalog without an account, and individual books can be purchased without a membership.
Can I return a book I bought on AudiobooksNow?
AudiobooksNow has a return policy, but it’s more restrictive than Audible’s. Returns are typically handled on a case-by-case basis, and there’s no automatic return window. Contact customer support if you have an issue with a purchase.
Do AudiobooksNow credits expire?
Credits don’t expire as long as you maintain an active membership. If you cancel, you lose any unused credits, so it’s worth using them before you switch plans.
Is AudiobooksNow available outside the United States?
AudiobooksNow primarily serves the U.S. market. International availability is limited, and some titles may have geographic restrictions. Check their site for current terms if you’re outside the U.S.
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