Last Updated on November 4, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by 
CFA Alexander Popinker
As digital reading continues gaining popularity, Kindle Unlimited has emerged as an affordable way to access a vast library of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines. But between monthly subscriptions, annual plans, and promotional offers, Kindle Unlimited’s pricing can seem complex.
This guide will break down everything you need to know about Kindle Unlimited’s cost structure. You’ll learn about savings opportunities, plan perks, and tips from expert users for maximizing the value of your subscription.
Whether you’re an occasional reader or voracious book lover, read on to uncover the ideal Kindle Unlimited plan to match your reading habits and budget.
How Much Does Kindle Unlimited Cost?
Kindle Unlimited offers subscribers two main payment options with costs starting at $9.99/month for monthly plans, which can be canceled anytime up to $99/year or $239 for 2-years for annual plans
While anyone can try a 30-day free trial first, signing up for a paid subscription unlocks the full Kindle Unlimited library. Here are the monthly and annual subscription costs:
Monthly Kindle Unlimited Pricing
Paying month-to-month costs $9.99/month and allows canceling anytime. This option is flexible for occasional readers.
The monthly cost equals out to under $0.33/day, quite affordable for unlimited access. But the yearly plan brings even lower rates.
Annual Unlimited Pricing and Savings
Opting for an annual plan reduces the effective monthly cost:
- 1-Year – $99 total per year at $8.25/month (17% savings vs. monthly price)
- 2-Years – $239 total for 2-years at $7.99/month (20% savings vs. monthly)
While the upfront annual fee is higher, the savings add up for consistent readers making it a worthwhile option.
Regional and Currency Pricing
Kindle Unlimited’s subscription cost can vary slightly based on country, currently ranging from:
- $9.99 USD in the United States
- $13.99 CAD in Canada
- £7.99 GBP in the UK
- €8.99 EUR in most of Europe
Pricing adjusts based on geographic markets but remains quite consistent. always compare plans in your local currency.
According to TechRadar, the standard price for Kindle Unlimited is approximately $9.99 per month. This subscription provides users with unlimited access to over one million books, thousands of audiobooks, and a selection of magazines, allowing readers to borrow up to ten titles at a time.
In contrast, Business Insider reports that the subscription costs $11.99 per month, highlighting that new users can often take advantage of a free trial. This plan allows subscribers to borrow up to twenty books simultaneously from a library of over four million titles, which includes eBooks, audiobooks, and comics.
Another source, Book Riot, echoes the $11.99 monthly fee and emphasizes that the service is distinct from Prime Reading, which offers a more limited selection of titles included with an Amazon Prime membership. Kindle Unlimited allows for borrowing as many titles as desired within the limits set by the service, making it a popular choice for avid readers.
According to an article on The Motley Fool, while the price is set at $11.99 per month, the value can be substantial for frequent readers who would otherwise spend significantly more on individual eBooks. The article also mentions that there is often a 30-day free trial available for new users to test out the service before committing financially.
Kindle Unlimited and Its Popularity
Kindle Unlimited is Amazon’s ebook and audiobook subscription that offers unlimited access to over 1 million titles, including popular novels, bestsellers, and audiobooks. Readers can browse this extensive digital library and borrow up to 20 titles at a time to read on Kindle devices or apps.
The service has rapidly grown in popularity for several key reasons:
- Value – Access to an enormous selection of content for a low monthly price
- Convenience – Easy browsing, instant downloads, and reading across devices
- Flexibility – No due dates, keeps books as long as you want, add and return titles anytime
For voracious readers, Kindle Unlimited provides unmatched variety and portability at an affordable fee compared to individually buying each title.
Kindle Unlimited vs Other eBook Plans
To evaluate if Kindle Unlimited’s pricing and offerings provide good value, let’s compare it against the competition:
Scribd
- More expensive at $11.99/month
- Includes access to books, audiobooks, magazines, sheet music, and documents
Apple Books
- Pay per book instead of subscription
- Prices range from $1.99 – $14.99 per ebook
Audible
- Amazon’s audiobook-only subscription
- $14.95/month for 1 audiobook credit
Kobo Plus
- Slightly cheaper at $9.99/month
- Smaller library focused on Canada
You might also like our articles on the cost of book binding, Kindle devices, or Amazon Prime Subscription.
Overall, Kindle Unlimited remains competitively priced, with one of the largest ebook and audiobook selections available through a flat-rate monthly subscription.
Features and Benefits
Beyond just offering books, Kindle Unlimited provides an enhanced reading experience through:
- Access to over 4 million titles – Massive selection across genres including best sellers and hard-to-find titles.
- Audiobook and ebook bundles – Some titles include audiobook access to easily switch between reading and listening.
- Exclusive content – Subscriber-only access to new releases and Amazon book deals before the general public.
- Multi-device reading – Easy accessing of books on Kindles, iOS and Android phones and tablets, computers, and more.
For book lovers, the extensive library and flexible reading options create significant value.
How Downloading eBooks Works
Kindle Unlimited makes accessing content seamless:
- Borrow up to 20 titles simultaneously – Keep multiple books checked out at once for flexible reading.
- Download for offline reading – Sync ebooks to devices like Kindles or phones to read without wifi.
- No due dates or late fees – Return and check out new books anytime with no deadlines.
- Instant reading – Start reading ebooks instantly right in the Kindle app.
This user-friendly system makes Kindle Unlimited ideal for digital book consumption.
Free 30-Day Kindle Unlimited Trial
Before committing to a paid subscription, Kindle Unlimited offers new members a 30-day free trial.
The free trial provides full, unlimited access with no strings attached. You can browse the entire catalog, borrow titles, and begin reading or listening immediately.
If you choose to subscribe after the trial, your membership will automatically continue. If not, be sure to cancel before Day 30 to avoid being charged.
The free trial is an easy way to experience Kindle Unlimited risk-free.
Kindle Unlimited vs Amazon Prime Reading
Many wonder – isn’t Kindle Unlimited included with an Amazon Prime membership? In fact, these two services offer different benefits:
- Prime Reading – Prime members get a rotating selection of about 1,000 titles for free.
- Kindle Unlimited – Separately paid subscription granting access to over 4 million titles.
Think of Prime Reading as a small free sampling versus the full buffet of books offered through Kindle Unlimited. Prime members may get special discounted pricing on Kindle Unlimited subscriptions.
User Reviews and Common Feedback
Analyzing actual customer reviews provides helpful insight into Kindle Unlimited’s overall value:
- Satisfaction with breadth and variety – Many praise the extensive catalog with always something new to read.
- Mixed feedback on book quality – Some feel major publisher participation is lacking but indie titles fill gaps.
- Convenience and cost savings highlighted – Users emphasize simplicity of finding and downloading books plus the affordability compared to buying individually.
- Complaints about technical issues – A few reviews cite glitches with managing borrowed content limits or trouble loading books.
Overall, most feedback indicates Kindle Unlimited saves money for avid readers. But some improvements to reliability and book selection could enhance the service.
How to Cancel an Unlimited Subscription
You can cancel a Kindle Unlimited membership directly from Amazon’s website in just a few clicks:
- Go to “Accounts and Lists” in your Amazon account.
- Under “Memberships & Subscriptions”, select “Kindle Unlimited.”
- Click “Cancel Kindle Unlimited Membership” to stop auto-renewal.
- Confirm in the pop-up prompt that you want to cancel.
You will retain access until your current billing period completes. Cancel in advance of renewal to avoid being charged again.
Does The Cost Align with Your Reading Habits?
At just $9.99 per month for unlimited reading, Kindle Unlimited offers value for:
- Voracious readers – Those who tear through multiple books monthly save substantially over individual ebook purchases.
- Casual readers – Dabblers still appreciate access to new releases and titles they are curious to sample.
- Audiobook fans – The growing audiobook selection provides affordable access for audio learners.
Occasional users may prefer buying ebooks outright or using free services like public libraries. But frequent readers can justify Kindle Unlimited’s affordable subscription cost through regular use of its digital library.
Expert Tips
We consulted dedicated Kindle Unlimited users to get insider advice on maximizing subscription value while saving money:
“Upgrade to the annual plan during promotions when the price drops further – I saved an extra 15% last Cyber Monday.” – Mark T., Boston
“Set a calendar reminder to cancel and re-evaluate before renewal. It forces you to check if you’ve used it enough.” – Sarah L., Austin
“Pay annually if actively using it; otherwise stick to monthly and pause months you won’t read as much.” – James F., San Francisco
“Compare the 12 or 24-month rates in dollars versus your local currency – sometimes there are discrepancies.” – Leila S., Toronto
These member tips can help you keep Kindle Unlimited costs in check while still benefiting as an active reader.
Final Words
We hope this detailed cost breakdown gives you clarity on Kindle Unlimited pricing. While not free, its unlimited access to millions of titles for an affordable monthly rate can offer strong value, especially for frequent readers. Take advantage of the free 30-day trial to experience the benefits firsthand.
Answers to Common Questions
Do you still have to pay for books if you have Kindle Unlimited?
No, with Kindle Unlimited you can read as many of the over 4 million titles in the catalog as you want with no additional fees beyond the flat monthly or annual subscription cost. You can read both ebooks and listen to audiobooks from the library at no added charge.
Can I keep Kindle Unlimited books after cancelling?
No, any ebooks or audiobooks borrowed through Kindle Unlimited can no longer be accessed after canceling the subscription, even if they are downloaded. To keep permanent access to any books, you would need to purchase them separately.
How many people can use Kindle Unlimited at a time?
No, Kindle Unlimited only allows one subscriber to use an account. Sharing of accounts and login credentials between multiple users violates Amazon’s Terms of Service. Each person is required to have their own individual subscription. Amazon restricts Kindle Unlimited sharing to prevent unauthorized account access.
