Reading Subscriptions
All-you-can-read services compared.
Kindle Unlimited
- $11.99/month — unlimited from KU library.
- 2 million+ books available.
- Read on Kindle device or app.
- Many bestsellers NOT included.
- Strong indie + romance + mystery selection.
- 30-day free trial.
Scribd (Everand)
- $11.99/month — books, audiobooks, magazines.
- Now called "Everand".
- Larger bestseller selection than KU.
- NYT magazine, Time, more.
- Read on phone, tablet, computer.
- 30-day free trial.
Audible (audiobooks)
- $14.95/month — 1 audiobook credit + Audible Plus library.
- Premium Plus: $7.95/month for Plus library only.
- Great for car listening.
- Most extensive audiobook selection.
- Owned by Amazon.
- 30-day free trial = 2 free books.
FREE: Library + Libby
- Get library card — usually free.
- Download Libby app.
- Borrow ebooks + audiobooks free.
- Same titles available digitally.
- Hundreds of free titles available constantly.
- Some popular titles have wait lists.
Hoopla — also free
- Free with library card.
- No wait lists.
- Books, audiobooks, music, movies.
- Different selection than Libby.
- Limit: 4–10 borrows per month (varies by library).
- Both apps work together — best of both.
Which to choose?
- Heavy reader: Library + Libby (free) often enough.
- Audiobooks lover: Audible.
- Magazines + books: Scribd/Everand.
- Indie + niche fiction: Kindle Unlimited.
- Try free trials of all — pick your favorite.
- Most seniors fine with free library apps.
Try Libby first — it's free
Before paying $12/month for any service, get a library card and download Libby. Most seniors find the free library app provides plenty of reading material with zero cost. If you read 20+ books per month and find Libby's wait lists frustrating, then Kindle Unlimited makes sense. Audible is the only one truly worth paying for if you love audiobooks specifically.