Updated September 30, 2026 · AcademyCue Editorial Team
Pearson Higher Education vs storytel
Pearson Higher Education vs storytel: the differences
| Compare |  Pearson Higher Education |  storytel |
|---|---|---|
| Price per month | $14.99 | SEK 169 |
| Price from | $8.49 | SEK 99 |
| Access model | Unlimited | Hour cap |
| Titles in the catalogue | 2,000 | 1,500,000Higher |
| Markets | CA, GB, US | 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 |
| Free trial length | Not confirmed | 30 days |
| Monthly listening cap (hours) | Not confirmed | 100 |
| Family profiles | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Student discount | Not confirmed | Yes |
Same on both: Offline use (Yes).
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Key differences
- Pearson Higher Education scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.0.
- Titles in the catalogue is higher at storytel: 1,500,000 vs 2,000.
- storytel is available in 24 more countries.
- Content types: only Pearson Higher Education offers Textbooks.
- Content types: only storytel offers Audiobooks, Ebooks, Podcasts.
- Markets: only Pearson Higher Education offers CA, GB, US.
- Markets: only storytel offers BE, BG, EE.
Our verdict on each
Pearson Higher Education
Pearson Higher Education suits students who already need a specific publisher title and would rather own the ebook than hold a subscription. Pearson Plus starts at $8.49 for one title, or $14.99 for the subscription with unlimited access to 2,000 textbooks.
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 | Pearson Higher Education | storytel |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7HigherEntry price of $8.49 for single titles and $14.99 on subscription, against a site median of €71.91 | 8.8The subscription starts at SEK 99 and lists at SEK 169, above $3 and $19.99. |
| Offer | 9.02,000 titles, 6 months of access, a free tier and assessments, with unlimited access on unlimited terms | 9.2HigherA catalogue of 1,500,000 titles, a 30 days free trial and a 100 hour cap in one plan. |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Pearson Higher Education | storytel |
|---|---|---|
| Audiobook, ebook and book-summary apps | 5 of 24 | 14 of 24 |
Choosing between them
Pick Pearson Higher Education if cost matter most.
Pick storytel if titles in the catalogue matter most.
Sources behind this comparison
Pearson Higher Education
- pearson.com: 9 facts, checked September 30, 2026
storytel
- storytel.com: 11 facts, checked September 30, 2026
- storytelgroup.com: 2 facts, checked September 30, 2026
- support.storytel.com: 1 fact, checked September 30, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Pearson Higher Education | storytel |
|---|---|---|
| Content types | Textbooks | Audiobooks, Ebooks, Podcasts |
| Legal entity | Pearson Education, Inc. | Storytel AB (publ) |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Sweden |
| Support channels | Help centre | Help centre |
Language learning
| Fact | Pearson Higher Education | storytel |
|---|---|---|
| Price per year | $95.88 | Not confirmed |
| Free tier | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Number of languages | 41 | Not confirmed |
| Learning method | App | Not confirmed |
| AI conversation practice | Yes | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Pearson Higher Education | storytel | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free trial length | Not confirmed | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
| Monthly listening cap (hours) | Not confirmed | 100at the median | 100 |
| Titles in the catalogue | 2,000lowest quarter | 1,500,000highest quarter | 240,000 |
Median across 19 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Pearson Higher Education
Pros
- Single titles start at $8.49, well under the $14.99 subscription, so students who need one chapter set do not pay for a year
- The subscription gives unlimited access across 2,000 textbooks rather than a capped allowance
- A free tier is available, so reading can start before any payment
Cons
- The annual price of $95.88 is far above the $14.99 monthly figure, so renewal is where cost bites
- Access runs for 6 months, which is short for anyone studying across a full academic year
- Content types list textbooks, so audio and video study material is not part of the offer
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
Pearson Higher Education
Who it suits
- Students who need a named Pearson title for a specific module
- Learners revising for business and science assessments, given the business and science on offer
- Readers in the US, Canada and the UK, which covers the CA, GB and US where the service is listed
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting audio, podcasts or video study material, since the content types are textbooks
- Learners who need live tutoring or chat support, as support is help centre
- Anyone comparing free entry, where Hotmart lists a starting price of $0
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
Country by country
| Country | Pearson Higher Education | 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 30 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Pearson Higher Education
How much does Pearson Plus cost at the start?+
A single ebook on Pearson Plus costs from $8.49, which suits a student who only needs one module. The subscription is $14.99 per month or $95.88 for a year. A free tier also exists, so the catalogue can be opened before paying anything.
What does the annual Pearson Plus plan cost versus monthly?+
Pearson Plus lists $95.88 for the year against $14.99 monthly, so the yearly figure is well above paying month by month at the monthly rate. Monthly is the cheaper entry for anyone unsure about renewing. The subscription covers 2,000 titles on unlimited access.
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.