Audible vs Blinkist: price, plans, and which to keep
Current US prices, price history, trial terms, and cancellation friction side by side, built from our service guides. Last reviewed August 26, 2026.
The short answer
Blinkist's annual plan, $99, undercuts Audible Premium Plus Annual at $149.50, but they sell different things: Audible gives you full audiobooks you own forever, while Blinkist gives you 15-minute summaries you rent. Monthly, Audible's new $8.99 Standard tier is cheaper than Blinkist's $15.99. Each has a trial trap. Audible's unused credits vanish when you cancel, so spend them first. Blinkist's 7-day trial defaults to the $99 annual charge unless cancelled a day early.
Blinkist is cheaper by $8.88 a year on its entry plan.
At a glance
| Audible | Blinkist | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest standard plan | Standard: $8.99/mo | Premium (annual): $99/yr |
| Cheapest plan per year | $107.88 | $99 |
| Most expensive plan | Premium Plus (1 credit/month): $14.95/mo | Premium (monthly): $15.99/mo |
| Price changes since 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| Latest price change | March 2026 | April 2024 |
| Free trial | 30-day free trial with 1 credit (Prime members sometimes get 2). | 7-day free trial. Warning: automatically charges the $99 annual fee if not cancelled 24 hours before expiration. |
| Cancellation | 4 steps · app-store or partner billing caveat | 3 steps · app-store or partner billing caveat |
Cheapest and most expensive plans exclude add-ons, student, bundle, and per-seat plans. Price changes are counted from January 2023. US list prices, last reviewed August 26, 2026.
Which one should you pick?
Choose Audible if…
Pick Audible if you finish books. Premium Plus at $14.95 buys one credit a month, and the books you redeem stay yours after cancelling. Use the hidden pause option (one to three months) instead of cancelling when you fall behind.
Choose Blinkist if…
Pick Blinkist if you want to skim many nonfiction titles quickly and will actually use it daily. Pay annually only after the trial, and set the reminder for day six.
Every current plan
Audible plans
| Plan | Current price |
|---|---|
| Standard | $8.99/mo |
| Premium Plus (1 credit/month) | $14.95/mo |
| Premium Plus Annual (12 credits) | $149.50/yr |
| Audible Plus (legacy, catalog only)Only available to existing Audible Plus members since March 2026. | $7.95/mo |
Blinkist plans
| Plan | Current price |
|---|---|
| Premium (monthly) | $15.99/mo |
| Premium (annual) | $99/yr |
| Pro (with AI summaries) | $174.99/yr |
US list prices; taxes, promotions, and app-store billing may differ. Last reviewed August 26, 2026.
Price history, both services
March 2026 · Audible
New Standard membership launched at $8.99/month; existing plan prices unchanged.
April 2024 · Blinkist
Launched Blinkist Pro tier ($174.99/yr) featuring personalized AI book guides.
January 2019 · Audible
Premium Plus (then 'Gold') has effectively held at $14.95/month since the 2010s, one of the most price-stable subscriptions.
How to run both without paying for both
Use Blinkist to decide which books deserve an Audible credit. If you hold both year-round on annual plans you are paying $248.50; most people are better served by Audible Standard at $8.99 plus the occasional Blinkist month.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Audible or Blinkist?
Blinkist. Its cheapest standard plan works out to $8.25 a month ($99 a year) versus $8.99 a month ($107.88 a year) for Audible, a difference of $8.88 a year. Bundles, promotions, and app-store billing can change the final price.
Is Blinkist cheaper than Audible?
Annually, yes: $99 versus $149.50 for Audible Premium Plus Annual. Monthly, Audible's $8.99 Standard plan is cheaper than Blinkist's $15.99, and its $14.95 Premium Plus is still a dollar less.
What happens to my Audible credits and Blinkist library if I cancel?
Audible deletes unused credits the moment you cancel, but every book you already redeemed stays in your library. Blinkist removes access to its summaries when the subscription ends; nothing is yours to keep.
Full guides
Audible price & cancellation guide
Premium Plus has held at $14.95 for years, but a new $8.99 Standard tier arrived in March 2026, and credits vanish if you cancel wrong.
View guideBlinkist price & cancellation guide
Blinkist costs $15.99/mo or $99/yr for 15-minute key insights from nonfiction books and podcasts.
View guideMore comparisons
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