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The Internet has revolutionized the audiobook. With the advent of download and rent-by-mail services it's become cheaper and more convenient for people to keep up on their reading. These services allow frequent and occasional reader-listeners to get the audiobooks they want, when they want them, in a format that suits their listening needs. Subscription services offer users a monthly credit allowance to purchase audiobooks. Subscription plans start at one-credit-per-month, enough to purchase most titles (a small number of titles cost more). Rent-by-mail services operate like Netflix, allowing users to borrow unlimited audiobook titles one, two or three at a time, depending on the plan. Occasional listener-readers will prefer á la carte audiobook purchases. Our audiobook reviews make it easy to find a plan that will work for you. For more information on audiobooks and how we reviewed these services, please see our FAQ.
Audiobook Downloads and Rentals
Updated 01-27-2012
| Service Name & Rating: | Price: | Free Trial or Discount: | Rent or Download: | Upgrade Plans: | Library Details: | Devices Supported: | Bottom Line: |
 | $7.49/mo for 3 mos; $14.95/mo thereafter; $149.50/yr | 50% off of for first 3 mos; Free NYT or WSJ subscription | Download: 1 title per month* | 2 book plan for $22.95/mo; $229.50/yr | 75,000+ audio programs including books, magazines, newspapers, radio | Multiple formats support most major media players: iPod, Zune, Kindle, BlackBerry, and more | Membership plan saves frequent readers money on the biggest download library in the audiobook business |
 | $22.49/mo; $254.49/yr | 20% off first month with promo code: CJ86 | CD rental: unlimited, 1 title at a time | 2-16 books at a time for $27.49/mo to $69.49/mo; also annual plans | 26,000+ titles | CD player or CD-ROM drive | Fast, free shipping with the biggest rental library makes this a great service for frequent listeners |
 | $9.99/mo; $95.99/yr | 1 free audiobook; 2-week free trial | Download: 1 title per month* | 2 book plan for $18.99/mo; $179.99/yr; | 8,000+ audiobooks | Any MP3-compatible device | Cheapest plans and good selection, though it may lack some high-profile titles; audio quality is not top-notch. |
 | Rental: $14.95/mo; $156.00/yr Download: $17.98/mo; $180.00/yr | 15 day free trial on $26.98/mo 2-book rental plan | Download: 1 title per month* CD rentals: unlimited, 1 at a time | 2 or 3 book plans for $24.95/mo to $37.98/mo; annual plans also available | Rental: 20,000+ titles Download: 6,000+ titles | Some rentals require MP3-CD player; MP3 and M4B downloads compatible with most media players | There are two plans to choose from, but the rental service is by far the best bargain |
 | Cost varies: $2.95-$49.95 | None | Download: 1 title per purchase | Same as others purchased | 20,000+ download titles | iPod, iPhone, computers running iTunes software | Better for casual listeners; not as cheap as subscription services; must use iTunes/iPod/iPhone |
 | Cost varies: $0.82-$62.95 | None | Download: 1 title per purchase | Same as others purchased | 12,000+ download titles | Any MP3-compatible device | Good selection, often cheaper than iTunes, but checkout, download, and audio are disappointing |
*All subscription services offer download credits, with most titles requiring a single credit for purchase. Some titles may cost more.
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