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Entertainment · head to head

Apple Music vs Audible

Apple Music logo

Apple Music

Entertainment

All the ways you love music. All in one place.

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Audible logo

Audible

Entertainment

Audiobooks as you've never experienced them

From
$7.95/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Apple Music individual plan discount pricing (3 months for $1.99) applies only to new subscribers, then rises to $11.99 per month; Audible auto renews monthly and must be cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current membership period, per the App Store listing
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Music covers Music streaming, Audible covers Audiobooks.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Music and Audible actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Music and Audible differ
AttributeApple MusicAudible
Starting price$10.99/month$7.95/month
PlatformsIos, Macos, Windows, Android, WebIos, Android, Desktop, Kindle
Founded20151995

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Entertainment).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apple Music

  • Music streaming
  • Offline downloads
  • Spatial Audio
  • Lossless audio
  • Curated playlists
  • Radio stations
  • Music discovery
  • Cross-device sync

Only in Audible

  • Audiobooks
  • Podcasts
  • Originals
  • Offline listening
  • Amazon Echo
  • Kindle
  • Family library
  • Account security

Both cover

  • Apple Watch
  • Ios support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apple Music

  • Music listeningnot Audible
  • Music discoverynot Audible
  • Playlist creationnot Audible
  • Offline listeningnot Audible
  • Family entertainmentnot Audible

Audible

  • Audiobook listeningnot Apple Music
  • Podcast consumptionnot Apple Music

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apple Music

  • Individual plan discount pricing (3 months for $1.99) applies only to new subscribers, then rises to $11.99 per month

Audible

  • Auto renews monthly and must be cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current membership period, per the App Store listing
  • Renewal is charged at the rate of the selected plan within 24 hours before the end of each membership period, per the App Store listing

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Music

$10.99/month
  • Individual$10.99/month
    • 100+ million songs
    • Ad-free listening
    • Offline downloads
  • Family$16.99/month
    • Up to 6 accounts
    • Individual profiles
    • Parental controls

Audible

$7.95/month
  • Plus$7.95/month
    • Plus catalog
    • Podcasts
  • Premium Plus$14.95/month
    • 1 credit/month
    • Plus catalog

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple Music if

  • You need music streaming.
  • You work on Ios, Macos, Windows, Android, Web.
  • You also want offline downloads.
Apple Music review

Choose Audible if

  • You need audiobooks.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Desktop, Kindle.
  • You also want podcasts.
Audible review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Music or Audible better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Music starts at $10.99/month and Audible at $7.95/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Music or Audible?
Apple Music starts at $10.99/month and Audible at $7.95/month.
Does Apple Music or Audible run on more platforms?
Apple Music runs on Ios, Macos, Windows, Android, Web. Audible runs on Ios, Android, Desktop, Kindle.
What is Apple Music best used for?
Apple Music is most often used for music listening, music discovery, playlist creation, offline listening. Of those, music listening and music discovery are not what Audible is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Music do that Audible cannot?
Apple Music covers Music streaming, Offline downloads, Spatial Audio, Lossless audio. Audible covers Audiobooks, Podcasts, Originals, Offline listening. Both handle Apple Watch, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apple Music: Where can I find Apple Music pricing and subscription information?

Pricing details are not shown on the New section of Apple Music. Check the main Apple Music homepage or account settings for subscription tiers.

Source
Audible: What are the pricing plans for Audible?

Audible offers two subscription plans: Audible Standard at $8.99 per month and Audible Premium Plus at $14.95 per month. Both plans include a 30-day free trial for new members.

Source
Audible: How does the Audible free trial work?

Eligible new members can sign up for a 30-day free trial and enjoy the same benefits as paying members. When your trial ends, you are automatically charged the monthly subscription fee, but you can cancel anytime.

Source
Audible: What is included with Audible Standard vs. Premium Plus?

Audible Standard gives you 1 audiobook per month. Audible Premium Plus includes 1 credit per month, access to thousands of included titles in the all-you-can-listen catalog, and access to member-only sales and exclusive discounts. Audiobooks purchased with credits are yours to keep forever.

Source
Audible: Can I cancel my Audible subscription anytime?

Yes, there are no commitments. You can easily cancel your membership at anytime, and all audiobooks purchased with credits remain yours forever.

Source
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