Kindle Unlimited is a subscription-based service that provides access to a vast library of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines.
If you’re an avid reader, you may have heard of this service and wondered if it’s worth your time and money. Or, if you’re new to the world of ebooks and digital reading, you may be curious about what Kindle Unlimited is and how it works.
In this article, we’ll cover all the common questions about Kindle Unlimited and help you decide if it’s the right choice for you. So, whether you prefer reading on your Kindle device, smartphone, or tablet, let’s dive in!
What is Kindle Unlimited?
Kindle Unlimited is a subscription-based service that provides unlimited access to a vast selection of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines.
With a low monthly fee, users can enjoy reading as many titles as they want from a library of over three million books, including bestsellers, classics, and self-published works. The service also includes thousands of audiobooks and a large variety of magazine subscriptions.
How does Kindle Unlimited work in 2023?
Do you love reading and want to take your books with you wherever you go? Well, with Kindle Unlimited, you can download up to 20 eligible titles at a time, which is quite a lot, even for those bookworms out there.
Just remember, before you go offline you should download the books you want to read since your device needs to store the books first. Also, keep in mind Kindle Unlimited is a subscription-based service that lets you borrow books instead of purchasing them.
If you cancel your subscription, you’ll lose access to the books you’ve borrowed from the program at the next billing date. But, if you’ve purchased any books with a Kindle Unlimited discount, you’ll still have them in your library, even after you cancel.
For authors, Kindle Unlimited works similarly to how Spotify or Youtube works for creators. When authors publish a book through Amazon, they can choose to offer it through Kindle Unlimited and are paid based on the number of times their book was borrowed and how many pages were read.
So, if you’re an author looking for more exposure and potential earnings, Kindle Unlimited might be worth considering.
How much does a Kindle Unlimited subscription cost?
Kindle Unlimited costs $9.99 a month (if you’re in the U.S.). Luckily, there’s a free 1-month trial to see if you’ll actually use the service before you have to spend a single penny. If you’re not satisfied, you can cancel the service at any time.
Every once in a while there’s also a limited-time offer of a pre-paid 6-month Kindle Unlimited subscription which usually comes with a nice discount.
Lastly, there are occasional discounts on purchasing books outright, which you’ll get to keep even if you cancel your subscription.
If you’re more interested in hearing audiobooks, here’s all you need to know about Audible.
Do I need a Kindle device to enjoy Kindle Unlimited?
Nope! You don’t need a Kindle device to start reading books with Kindle Unlimited. Of course, the service was kind of designed to be used on Kindles in the first place, but Amazon created an easy-to-use app that’s available on Apple and Android devices and even your computer.
Another advantage of the app is you can pick up where you left off even when switching devices. So, don’t worry about not being able to physically stick a bookmark in there (even if you do start to miss having one).
Do you get to keep your Kindle Unlimited books permanently?
The books you access through Kindle Unlimited are technically borrowed rather than purchased, so if you decide to cancel your account, you’ll lose access to any books you’ve borrowed through the program at the start of the next billing cycle.
It’s important to keep this in mind when considering whether or not to subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, as you won’t be able to keep the books indefinitely like you would with purchased titles.
Can I still use my Kindle without subscribing to Kindle Unlimited?
Absolutely, you don’t need a Kindle Unlimited subscription to use your Kindle e-reader or read Kindle books through the free Kindle app.
Kindle Unlimited is a separate service that provides access to a selection of books you’d typically have to purchase individually, making it a great option for readers who want access to a wide variety of titles without having to pay for each one individually.
Does Kindle Unlimited include all of the books on Amazon?
Not every book available on Amazon is included in the Kindle Unlimited program. The decision on whether or not to include a title is made on a book-by-book basis by the author or publisher.
But with more than three million Kindle titles available through a Kindle Unlimited membership, there are still plenty of options for subscribers to choose from.
On the sad side, some avid readers have noted many of the “Big Five” publishers don’t often include their books, although Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins do to a degree.
How do you sign up for a Kindle Unlimited membership?
If you already have an Amazon account, which most Americans do at this point, it’s pretty easy to sign-up for Kindle Unlimited.
First off, if you want to try the 30-day free trial, just head over here and follow the instructions.
Otherwise, here are the steps:
#1. Go to Amazon.com and make sure you’re signed in
#2. On the top-right of the page, click on the “Account & Lists” and then click on “Kindle Unlimited” like below
#3. If you’re logged in and haven’t signed up before, then you’ll see a message that says “You currently do not have Kindle Unlimited. Click here to join.” Of course, you then click that link.
#4. It will then probably ask you to re-sign in to confirm who you are, and then to add a payment method. After that, it’ll take you to a “Welcome to Kindle Unlimited” page where you can see all the awesome books du jour.
How to find and browse Kindle Unlimited books?
It’s pretty simple to find Kindle Unlimited books after you’ve signed up. If you’re not sure what you want to read and want to see some recommendations, just go to the dedicated Kindle Unlimited page.
On the flip side, you can use Amazon like normal and just search for books as you would, and keep an eye out for the Kindle Unlimited logo (below) to tell if it’s free to borrow and read or not.
How to find and listen to Kindle Unlimited Audiobooks?
While there’s far fewer audiobooks available — but still in the thousands — it’s a bit trickier to find these on Kindle Unlimited. One way is to look for the headphone logo beside the Kindle Unlimited logo on any book’s page.
Also, if you’ve downloaded a book and it has a free audiobook available, you’ll be able to see and access it from the app or device you’re using.
Alternatively, you might find the Audible subscription more worthwhile if you’re into audiobooks.
Wrapup: Is Kindle Unlimited worth the price?
Determining whether or not Kindle Unlimited is worth the price depends on your reading habits and preferences.
If you’re an avid reader working your way through several books a month, Kindle Unlimited could be an excellent value since the low monthly cost gives you access to literally millions of titles. Also, it’s pretty convenient to be able to read books on nearly any device.
On the other hand, if you only read a book a month or prefer to own the books you read, then the cost of the subscription might not be justified. It’s also important to note not every book is included in the program, so you might be able to read the exact title you want to.
FAQ for Kindle Unlimited
In case you still have any questions about Kindle Unlimited, hopefully, they can be answered below.
Can I use Kindle without a prescription?
Absolutely, you can use your Kindle e-reader or read Kindle books through the free Kindle app without needing to sign up for a Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Kindle Unlimited is a distinct service that offers access to a selection of books that would typically require individual purchases. This makes it a great option for readers who want to read a variety of titles without having to pay for each one individually.
Does Kindle Unlimited come free with Amazon Prime?
Nope, Amazon Kindle Unlimited is a distinct subscription service separate from Amazon Prime and Amazon Prime Video.
Do I need to pay for magazine subscriptions in Kindle Unlimited?
Nope. If a magazine is available in Kindle Unlimited then it’s free to borrow as much as you want.
Is Kindle Unlimited available to customers outside the US?
Yes and no. US customers get Kindle Unlimited based on the selection of books available in the US Amazon marketplace. S
o, if you’re in UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, India, China, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Canada and Australia, you can still sign up, but you have to go to the specific Amazon domain (ex. For Canada = amazon.ca) and the books will relate to whats available in that country.
How do I return Kindle Unlimited books?
On the Amazon website, go to the “Accounts & Lists” button, then scroll down to “Your Kindle Unlimited” and click into it. Here you’ll see a list of all the books you’re currently borrowing (with a maximum of 20 at any time). You’ll see a “Return” button you can click to return any borrowed book whenever you want.
How can I cancel Kindle Unlimited subscription?
If you’ve tried Kindle Unlimited and found it isn’t quite what you’re looking for, don’t worry! Not every service is the right fit for everyone. Canceling your Kindle Unlimited subscription is a pretty straightforward process.
Two things to note:
- When you do cancel, you’ll still retain access to the service until the next billing date.
- But if you have a pre-paid subscription, canceling it will be effective immediately, and you won’t receive partial refunds for any unused months. Additionally, you won’t be able to restart the subscription at a later date, so keep this in mind when deciding whether or not to cancel.
To cancel, navigate on Amazon.com to “Your Kindle Unlimited” webpage and find the “Manage Membership” section and click on the “Cancel Kindle Unlimited Membership” button.
The next page will show you how long the rest of your billing cycle is and gives you an option to either keep or cancel your membership. If you cancel, Amazon should send you a confirmation email for your records. If you ever want to restart the subscription, just go back to the same “Your Kindle Unlimited” webpage and go from there.
J.J. Pryor
I’ve been reading e-books for a few years now and wanted to share a comprehensive FAQ about Kindle Unlimited. This page includes affiliate links where I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you if you do purchase something. Thanks for reading!
