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Audible vs DirecTV Stream

Audible logo

Audible

Entertainment

Audiobooks as you've never experienced them

From
$7.95/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DirecTV Stream logo

DirecTV Stream

Entertainment

Cable-replacement live TV streaming with local channels, RSNs and the widest premium channel tiers

From
$89.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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; DirecTV Stream it is priced at or above fuboTV across comparable tiers, and its entry tier alone costs close to three times what Philo charges for households that do not need sports.
  • They diverge on capability: Audible covers Audiobooks, DirecTV Stream covers Tiered channel plans.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Audible and DirecTV Stream actually diverge.

Attributes where Audible and DirecTV Stream differ
AttributeAudibleDirecTV Stream
Starting price$7.95/month$89.99/month
Pricing modelsubscriptionPer household per month, tiered plans
PlatformsIos, Android, Desktop, KindleWeb, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Smart TVs
Founded1995Unknown

Identical on both: 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 Audible

  • Audiobooks
  • Podcasts
  • Originals
  • Offline listening
  • Amazon Echo
  • Kindle
  • Apple Watch
  • Family library

Only in DirecTV Stream

  • Tiered channel plans
  • Local broadcast affiliates
  • ESPN Unlimited
  • Regional sports networks
  • Cloud DVR
  • Multiple simultaneous streams

What people use each for

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

Audible

  • Audiobook listeningnot DirecTV Stream
  • Podcast consumptionnot DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream

  • A former DirecTV satellite customer moving to streaming without wanting to change channel habitsnot Audible
  • A household wanting the widest premium and sports channel selection among mainstream streaming bundlesnot Audible
  • A sports fan who wants regional sports networks priced into the plan rather than as a separate add-onnot Audible
  • A family replacing full cable service that specifically does not want to trim down to a smaller entertainment-only bundlenot Audible

Where each one falls short

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

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

DirecTV Stream

  • It is priced at or above fuboTV across comparable tiers, and its entry tier alone costs close to three times what Philo charges for households that do not need sports.
  • Regional sports network and local channel availability still vary by zip code, so the exact channels and price a household gets cannot be confirmed until they enter their address.
  • Reaching the widest channel and premium movie selection requires the Ultimate tier, which pushes the monthly cost well past $120.
  • Historically frequent price increases across DirecTV streaming and satellite products mean the signup price is not a reliable guide to cost a year later.
  • The interface and channel guide have drawn more mixed reviews than some competitors, with slower app updates on certain streaming device platforms.

Pricing, plan by plan

Audible

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

DirecTV Stream

$89.99/month
  • Entertainment$89.99/month
    • 90+ channels
    • Local affiliates in most markets
    • ESPN Unlimited included
  • Choice$94.99/month
    • 125+ channels
    • Adds regional sports networks and specialty sports channels
  • Ultimate$124.99/month
    • 160+ channels
    • Additional sports and movie channels

Which should you pick?

Choose Audible if

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

Choose DirecTV Stream if

  • You need tiered channel plans.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Smart TVs.
  • You also want local broadcast affiliates.
DirecTV Stream review

Questions people ask

Is Audible or DirecTV Stream better?
Neither clearly leads. Audible starts at $7.95/month and DirecTV Stream at $89.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Audible or DirecTV Stream?
Audible starts at $7.95/month and DirecTV Stream at $89.99/month.
Does Audible or DirecTV Stream run on more platforms?
Audible runs on Ios, Android, Desktop, Kindle. DirecTV Stream runs on Web, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Smart TVs.
What is Audible best used for?
Audible is most often used for audiobook listening, podcast consumption. Of those, audiobook listening and podcast consumption are not what DirecTV Stream is typically brought in for.
What can Audible do that DirecTV Stream cannot?
Audible covers Audiobooks, Podcasts, Originals, Offline listening. DirecTV Stream covers Tiered channel plans, Local broadcast affiliates, ESPN Unlimited, Regional sports networks.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
DirecTV Stream: Is DirecTV Stream the same as satellite DirecTV?

No, it delivers the same brand and much of the same channel lineup over the internet instead of a satellite dish.

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
DirecTV Stream: Does the entry tier include local channels and sports?

Yes, the Entertainment tier includes local affiliates in most markets and ESPN Unlimited, unlike Philo which excludes both entirely.

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
DirecTV Stream: Are regional sports networks included or an add-on?

They are included starting at the Choice tier and priced into that plan, rather than sold separately the way fuboTV prices its RSNs.

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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