Audiobook Subscriptions: The Best Ones in the UK

Today, many people in the UK are on the hunt for the best audiobook subscriptions packages. There are many reasons behind this new trend. For one, books have always been a great way to escape the daily stressors that come with life. However, finding the time to settle down with a good book is hard. With audiobooks, this problem is solved. Listeners can get some valuable reading time in, regardless of what they are doing.

As long as you have an active monthly audiobook subscription, you can listen to the book of your choice — on the go. Whether during your daily commute or while taking a run, there are no restrictions.

However, there’s one simple problem you have to manoeuvre. It’s the issue of choosing the best audiobook subscription available in the UK. Some services offer unlimited audiobook subscriptions. Similarly, others work based on a monthly subscription model. How do you sort through these options to pick the perfect one?

This is where we come in. We have taken the time out to try different audiobook subscriptions available to residents in the UK. As a result, we have been able to compile a list of the best ones.

With the best monthly audiobook subscription, readers have access to thousands of books. More importantly, these services are always adding new titles. This variety of options is one of the reasons most people use audiobook subscriptions. And we’ll help you enjoy it to the fullest!

Say goodbyes to your worries about choosing the best audiobook subscriptions in the UK. Below are our top picks.

1. Audible Audiobooks (Our favourite)

It is almost impossible to talk about audiobook subscriptions without a mention of Audible. After all, they have the most extensive collection of audiobooks in the industry. With over 200,000 options to choose from, readers can be sure they are getting real value for money. Whether you’re looking for personal development books, fiction or historical titles, there’s something for everyone.

Although, you should know Audible doesn’t run an unlimited subscription model. To get access to certain books, you actually have to buy them. However, the good news is you will own these books for life. Even if you cancel your subscription, you can still read these books. A nice touch!

In terms of pricing, the entry-level package is $14.95 per month. With this monthly audiobook subscription, you have access to one free original title from Audible. Also, you get one credit to buy any other title. However, you have to buy other extra titles.

2. Blinkist

This service makes this list of best audiobook subscriptions because of its low-cost subscription. Furthermore, it offers a unique “summary” feature that can be very useful to subscribers.

Typically, it may take about 4-10 hours to listen to a book. For many would-be listeners, dedicating this amount of time to reading simply isn’t possible. As a book summary service, Blinkist transforms voluminous titles into short versions.

There are many advantages you stand to enjoy with book summaries. For one, you can quickly get the central message from any title. Also, you can quickly figure out the books that are not worth your time. Imagine reading for 10 hours and coming away unimpressed. Blinkist can save you from that.

With this audiobook subscription, you can expect to enjoy first-class narrators, logically laid out summary and easy language. You can even choose to listen to fully curated summaries or bestseller titles according to the New York Times.

3. Google Audiobooks

Google Audiobooks hasn’t quite scaled the heights reached by Audible. However, it is still one of the best subscription audiobooks for residents in the UK. Although it doesn’t quite run an unlimited audiobook subscription plan, you don’t have to pay a monthly membership fee.

Instead, you access titles by buying them individually. When you compare this subscription model with other options, the pricing is equal, if not cheaper. If you listen to only about 12 audiobooks every year, it’s even more affordable when compared with other services.

Despite its smaller catalogue, there are still thousands of books to whet your appetite. Also, you can listen to the books with any Android or Chromecast product. There’s also an app for Apple product users.

4. Kobo Audiobooks

Kobo made its name in the industry with the production of e-readers. In fact, some of its physical devices are direct competitors to certain Amazon products. The trend is the same for its audiobook subscription service.

It may be far-fetched to crown Kubo with the title of the best audiobook subscription. However, there’s plenty of pros to enjoy from this service. One of them is how affordable this monthly audiobook subscription is. For about $9.99 every month you can buy and read audiobooks whenever you want. If you didn’t know, this is way cheaper than other services. Plus, you get one free credit every month to obtain a new book.

The only catch is that Kobo Audiobooks is not an unlimited audiobook subscription. You’ll have to pay individually for new titles. Also, some titles may not be available to residents in the UK. But their service is high-quality and comes with a highly responsive customer service system. If you are reluctant about trying this monthly audiobook subscription, there’s a free 30-day trial period. Start listening now!

5. Downpour

The best audiobook subscription service should be easy to navigate. Furthermore, retaining access to books even after the subscription ends is a plus that benefits every user. Downpour ticks all of these crucial boxes. It goes one better by offering one credit every month to buy a new book. In fact, you can purchase about 97% of the titles on Downpour with this credit.

Another pro of this monthly audiobook subscription is that it’s affordable. The monthly payments will only cost about $12.99. Compared to the other audiobook subscriptions on this list, that’s pretty affordable.

Also, its catalogue of titles is pretty extensive. Subscribers get to choose from over 30,000 different audiobooks. There’s hardly anything you want to read that isn’t on Downpour. Listen and discover new titles using your phone or pc.

6. Scribd

Recently, Scribe has announced an update to their service. With a flat rate, you can enjoy access to all magazines, ebooks and audiobooks. In a way, this is an unlimited audiobook subscription for residents in the UK.

For only $8.99 every month, you can read every book in the Scribd library. You don’t have to buy books individually to enjoy. Simply pay your monthly subscription and start checking out your favourite books.

To Wrap It Up

Reading books just got easier for residents in the UK. Choose from any of the top monthly audiobook subscriptions described above, and you’re good to go. Enjoy!