Looking for the best audiobook deals in 2026? Good news: most platforms offer a free trial so you can test their catalogue with no commitment. We’ve compared the prices, catalogues and terms of Audible UK, Kobo and Storytel to help you find your free audiobook and the ideal subscription for your listening habits.
Our platform recommendations
Audible UK (£7.99/month)
Audible remains the UK’s leading audiobook service thanks to its catalogue of over 500,000 titles. The subscription costs £7.99 per month and gives you 1 monthly credit redeemable for any book regardless of its retail price. You keep your books even after cancellation.
The free trial: 30 days with 1 free book for everyone. Amazon Prime members receive an extended trial of 60 days with 2 free books. Here’s a tip most people don’t know: you can renew this trial every 12 months — the easiest way to get a free audiobook regularly.
Audible also includes the Plus Catalogue: thousands of titles, podcasts and Audible Originals available for unlimited listening without using your credits.
Kobo (from £9.99/month)
Kobo audiobooks integrate seamlessly with the Kobo ereader ecosystem, making it ideal if you already own a Kobo device. The Kobo Plus subscription gives you access to a growing catalogue of audiobooks and ebooks for a single monthly fee.
For whom? If you want audiobooks and ebooks bundled together without juggling separate subscriptions, Kobo Plus is worth a look — especially with their regular free trial offers.
Storytel (£9.99/month)
Storytel operates on an unlimited streaming model, radically different from the credit system. One monthly fee gives you access to thousands of audiobooks and ebooks without any hourly cap.
The free trial: 30 days of unlimited access. No credits to manage — just listen to what you want, when you want.
Which audiobook platform should you choose?
It all depends on your listening habits. For 1–2 books a month, Audible UK is the obvious choice: the credit system is simple, the catalogue is enormous and the free trial is the most accessible. For heavy listeners devouring 3+ books a month, the unlimited model of Storytel or Kobo Plus will be significantly better value. Our advice: always start with the free trial. All these platforms are commitment-free, and it’s the only reliable way to know if the app, catalogue and experience suit you before paying.