Updated September 30, 2026 · AcademyCue Editorial Team
Audible vs storytel
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Audible |  storytel |
|---|---|---|
| Price per month | CA$8.99 | SEK 169 |
| Price from | CA$8.99 | SEK 99 |
| Access model | Credits | Hour cap |
| Markets | CA | BE, BG, EE, FI, FR, DE, IS, IT, NL, NO, PL, ES, SE, TR, IN, ID, SG, KR, TH, BR, CL, CO, MX, EG, IL, SA, AE |
| Monthly listening cap (hours) | Not confirmed | 100 |
| Titles in the catalogue | Not confirmed | 1,500,000 |
| Keep titles after cancelling | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Family profiles | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Student discount | Not confirmed | Yes |
Same on both: Free trial length (30 days), Offline use (Yes).
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Key differences
- Audible scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.0.
- Support channels: only Audible offers Phone.
- storytel is available in 26 more countries.
- Content types: only storytel offers Ebooks.
- Markets: only Audible offers CA.
- Markets: only storytel offers BE, BG, EE.
Our verdict on each
Audible
Audible suits Canadian listeners who will work through a set number of credits, and the free trial of 30 days is long enough to finish a book before deciding. The plan costs CAD 8.99 a month, and anything you have already claimed stays in your library afterwards.
storytel
Storytel suits households that read and listen together, with family profiles, offline listening and a catalogue of 1,500,000 titles in one subscription. Readers who want a cheaper single-user plan should compare AfriKDP first, since the monthly fee of SEK 169 sits high for one person.
Score breakdown
| Area | Audible | storytel |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7HigherMonthly rate of CAD 8.99 and starting price of CAD 8.99 read the same, below Readability at $19.99 and Reading Eggs at £6.99. | 8.8The subscription starts at SEK 99 and lists at SEK 169, above $3 and $19.99. |
| Offer | 9.3HigherFree trial of 30 days, titles kept after cancelling, and offline playback on a credits model. | 9.2A catalogue of 1,500,000 titles, a 30 days free trial and a 100 hour cap in one plan. |
How they place
| Ranking | Audible | storytel |
|---|---|---|
| Audiobook, ebook and book-summary apps | 1 of 24 | 14 of 24 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Audible | storytel |
|---|---|---|
| Content types | Audiobooks, Podcasts | Audiobooks, Ebooks, PodcastsCovers more |
| Legal entity | Audible, Inc. | Storytel AB (publ) |
| Headquarters | United States | Sweden |
| Support channels | Help centre, PhoneCovers more | Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Audible | storytel | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free trial length | 30 daysat the median | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
| Monthly listening cap (hours) | Not confirmed | 100at the median | 100 |
| Titles in the catalogue | Not confirmed | 1,500,000highest quarter | 240,000 |
Median across 19 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Audible
Pros
- The free trial runs 30 days, longer than the usual window across the brands compared, so a full title can be finished before deciding.
- Titles you have already claimed stay in your library if you cancel, so purchases survive a lapse in the membership.
- Offline playback is included, which covers commutes, flights and patchy signal.
Cons
- Access runs on credits rather than unlimited listening, so playback stops once the credits are used.
- Support runs on help centre and phone only, and live chat is not among the channels.
- The plan is sold in Canada, so members in other countries need a separate regional plan.
storytel
Pros
- A catalogue of 1,500,000 titles, first among the brands compared here on size.
- Family profiles are included, so several people can use one account.
- Offline downloads are available for travel and commutes.
Cons
- The monthly price of SEK 169 is higher than $3 at the same billing rhythm.
- Access is limited by a 100 hour cap rather than running without limits.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no live contact listed.
Who each suits
Audible
Who it suits
- Listeners in CA who will spend credits on chosen titles each month rather than browse freely.
- Commuters and travellers, since offline playback is included.
- Readers comparing monthly rates, with the Audible plan at CAD 8.99 against Readability at $19.99.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone outside CA, who would need a separate regional plan.
- Bargain hunters, since AfriKDP lists $3 a month against the Audible plan at CAD 8.99.
- Listeners who want unlimited access, since the Audible plan runs on credits.
storytel
Who it suits
- Households that share one account through family profiles
- Listeners who want audiobooks, ebooks and podcasts in the same app
- Readers who plan around a listening allowance rather than unlimited access
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants unlimited listening, since access sits under a 100 hour cap
- Readers who want live phone support, as support runs on help centre only
- Price-first single users who may find $3 easier to justify
Current offers
Audible
Current offer
Free trial
Try one month free then $8.99 per month: 30 days free
New customers only. $8.99/month plus tax after 30 days. Cancel anytime. Quebec residents not eligible for trial memberships.
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Audible | storytel |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | No | Yes |
| Brazil | No | Yes |
| Bulgaria | No | Yes |
| Canada | Yes | No |
| Chile | No | Yes |
| Colombia | No | Yes |
| Egypt | No | Yes |
| Estonia | No | Yes |
8 of 28 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Audible
What does the Audible plan cost a month?+
The Audible plan is listed at CAD 8.99 a month, and the Audible plan's starting price is CAD 8.99. Both figures read the same, so the rate met when you join is the rate that continues while the membership runs. Prices are set in Canadian dollars, which is worth remembering when comparing against services quoted in other currencies.
Does the price change after the free trial ends?+
No lower entry rate is listed: the Audible plan's monthly price of CAD 8.99 and its starting price of CAD 8.99 are the same figure, so the free trial of 30 days is the only discount on record. Once it ends the membership continues at the standard monthly rate, and access then depends on how many credits you spend.
storytel
How much does Storytel cost a month?+
The standard plan is billed at SEK 169 each month, with a lower entry plan starting at SEK 99. Both prices cover the full catalogue of 1,500,000 titles and the family profiles feature, so the tier mainly changes how much you can listen rather than what you can read.
Is there a free trial?+
Yes, Storytel offers a free trial of 30 days. That trial ranks third among the 16 brands compared on this measure, which makes it one of the longer evaluation windows in this category. The trial is long enough to test both the 100 hour cap and the app before the first payment.