What Makes Amazon Audible Great? Key Differences Between Audiobooks and E-Books
Amazon’s audiobook service, "Amazon Audible," is rapidly gaining popularity as the go-to platform for reading by listening. But how does it differ from traditional e-books? Here we break down the main advantages and disadvantages of using Amazon Audible.
Modified at: 2025.9.24Posted at: 2022.9.30
What is Amazon Audible?
"Amazon Audible" is a subscription-based audiobook service provided by Amazon. Professional narrators, announcers, and even actors read aloud from real books, making it a service often referred to as "reading by listening."
Since audiobooks let you absorb content through audio, unlike traditional reading, your hands remain free. This makes it possible to enjoy books while doing housework, commuting, or working—a major benefit of audiobooks.
On the other hand, one disadvantage is that you cannot freely change the narration style or reading speed to your taste. Because the narration plays a huge role in how immersive the experience is, if the voice doesn’t suit you, it can ruin the enjoyment of the book.
Benefits of Amazon Audible
The biggest benefit of Amazon Audible is that it is a subscription service. For a monthly fee of around $10, you can enjoy unlimited access to over 120,000 titles. That means for the price of about one newly released book—or around three paperback books—you can listen to as many titles as you like.
When Amazon Audible first launched, the number of available titles was limited, making it a poor value for the price. Today, however, the catalog has expanded to include many well-known works, making Audible a highly cost-effective service.
Disadvantages of Amazon Audible
The main drawback of Amazon Audible is that you can only access titles that are included in the service’s library. While all Audible-registered titles are unlimited with the subscription, any books not available cannot be purchased or listened to. If the service lacks works you are interested in, the subscription fee could end up being a waste.
Unlike e-books, where you can purchase and own any title you want, Audible’s 1,500 JPY monthly flat rate can feel expensive if your preferred titles are missing.
Comparing Amazon Audible and E-Books
It goes without saying that books you access through Amazon Audible are audiobooks, so they do not include text-based e-books. So how exactly does Audible differ from regular e-books?
Let’s compare them.
| Feature | Amazon Audible | E-Books |
|---|---|---|
| Access period | While subscribed & available | Semi-permanent (unless the service ends) |
| Book selection | Limited to available titles | Any currently sold book |
| Cost per book | High value | Lower value |
| Hands-free reading | ◎ | ✖ |
| Text reading | ✖ | ◎ |
| Adjustable reading speed | ✖ | ◎ |
The biggest difference lies in the selection. With e-books, you can choose any title on the market, whereas Audible—despite having a large library—still has limits. For example, magazines, mooks, and most manga are rarely available as audiobooks, which is a significant difference.
Another key difference is the ability to enjoy hands-free reading. Traditional e-books tie your eyes and hands to the text, while audiobooks allow multitasking, making reading possible in situations where holding a book isn’t practical.
From a cost-performance perspective, Audible can actually be very good value, but it ultimately depends on whether your favorite books are included. Amazon also regularly offers free trials for Amazon Audible, so the best approach is to try it first and continue only if it fits your lifestyle.