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Audible vs iHeartRadio

Audible logo

Audible

Entertainment

Audiobooks as you've never experienced them

From
$7.95/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
iHeartRadio logo

iHeartRadio

Music

All your favorite music, podcasts, and radio

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only iHeartRadio has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; iHeartRadio ad-free listening requires an iHeartRadio Plus or All Access subscription
  • They diverge on capability: Audible covers Audiobooks, iHeartRadio covers Live radio.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Audible and iHeartRadio actually diverge.

Attributes where Audible and iHeartRadio differ
AttributeAudibleiHeartRadio
Starting price$7.95/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIos, Android, Desktop, KindleWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers
CategoryEntertainmentMusic
Founded19952008

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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
  • Originals
  • Offline listening
  • Amazon Echo
  • Kindle
  • Apple Watch
  • Family library
  • Desktop support

Only in iHeartRadio

  • Live radio
  • Custom stations
  • Events
  • Smart speakers
  • Car systems
  • Web support
  • Smart-speakers support

Both cover

  • Podcasts
  • Account security
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Audible

  • Audiobook listeningnot iHeartRadio
  • Podcast consumptionnot iHeartRadio

iHeartRadio

  • Streaming live AM and FM radio stations over the internetnot Audible
  • Listening to podcasts and live sports commentarynot Audible
  • Building music playlists on a paid tiernot 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

iHeartRadio

  • Ad-free listening requires an iHeartRadio Plus or All Access subscription
  • Unlimited skips and unlimited playlist creation require a paid subscription
  • Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the period ends
  • Any unused part of a free trial is forfeited when a subscription is purchased
  • The iOS app requires iOS 15.0 or later

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

iHeartRadio

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Live radio
    • Podcasts
    • Ads
  • Plus$5.99/month
    • Unlimited skips
    • Offline playlists

Which should you pick?

Choose Audible if

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

Choose iHeartRadio if

  • You need live radio.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
  • You also want custom stations.
iHeartRadio review

Questions people ask

Is Audible or iHeartRadio better?
Neither clearly leads. Audible starts at $7.95/month and iHeartRadio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Audible or iHeartRadio?
iHeartRadio has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $7.95/month for Audible and Free for iHeartRadio.
Does Audible or iHeartRadio run on more platforms?
Audible runs on Ios, Android, Desktop, Kindle. iHeartRadio runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
Can I use iHeartRadio for free?
Yes. iHeartRadio has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Audible starts at $7.95/month.
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 iHeartRadio is typically brought in for.
What can Audible do that iHeartRadio cannot?
Audible covers Audiobooks, Originals, Offline listening, Amazon Echo. iHeartRadio covers Live radio, Custom stations, Events, Smart speakers. Both handle Podcasts, Account security, Ios support, Android support.

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
iHeartRadio: How much does iHeartRadio cost?

iHeartRadio does not publish pricing on their website. The service offers free podcast streaming with optional premium content for certain shows. A reference to 'Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content' is mentioned, but no pricing is provided. Customers must visit linked premium content pages for pricing information.

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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