Is Kindle Unlimited Worth It? Comparision & Analysis

As avid book readers, we at Appuals are always on the lookout for services that can best satisfy our literary cravings. Kindle Unlimited frequently comes up in discussions about book reading services. So, we decided to explore this service and assess it for ourselves.

In this guide, we will examine various aspects of Kindle Unlimited, and by the end, you’ll be able to decide if it’s a worthwhile option for you. Without further ado, let’s dive in.

What is Kindle Unlimited?

Kindle Unlimited is a subscription-based service provided by Amazon. The service offers you access to millions of books, magazines, audiobooks, comic books, and more from various genres. Whether you’re into Sci-Fi, Horror, Thriller, or Romance, there’s a wealth of books to satisfy your curiosity. It functions like a personal library that lets you borrow books at any time and return them at your convenience.

How Can You Get Kindle Unlimited?

As previously mentioned, Kindle Unlimited is a subscription-based service. To get started, visit its official site, create an account, and choose a plan. You’ll then need to enter your payment details and, importantly, you’ll receive a free trial for the first month.

We have a dedicated guide explaining how to subscribe to Kindle Unlimited and how it works. Follow it to smoothly subscribe to the service and learn about the finer details.

When determining whether a service is worth it, it’s essential to examine its pros and cons, and compare it to other available alternatives.

Pros of Kindle Unlimited

Here are the advantages of Kindle Unlimited, outlined after thorough research and consideration.

1. Great Pricing

As of January 2024, Kindle Unlimited is priced at $11.99/month. For this fee, you gain access to millions of books to read throughout the month. Purchasing a single physical book could easily cost more. Even if you have access to a public library, Kindle Unlimited offers the convenience of avoiding frequent trips whenever you need a new book.

2. Multiple Books Can Be Borrowed

With Kindle Unlimited, you can borrow up to 20 books at a time from their library. These titles will be added to your collection, allowing you to read them simultaneously or one after the other. Once you’ve finished, you can return the books and borrow new ones to replace them.

This saves you time because instead of searching for a new book every time you complete one, you can add interesting finds to your collection as you discover them.

3. Vast Collection

One significant advantage is the vast collection available on the platform. We’re talking about not just thousands, but millions of books that are just a click away. These include popular titles like Harry Potter, Lord of The Rings, Famous Five, and The Hobbit, as well as fresh works by less-known authors.

This allows you to explore new books without spending a substantial amount of money only to find out a book wasn’t worth the purchase.

4. App Usability and Accessibility

You can use the subscription on any Kindle device or through its app, available on iOS, Android, Windows, and MacOS. Both the Kindle device and its multi-platform app are straightforward to use, and any user can navigate them with ease.

You can stay logged in on different devices, so whether you’re in bed, on the bus, or at your workstation, you can pick up right where you left off without needing to log in repeatedly.

5. One Month Free Trial

Amazon offers a free one-month trial of the subscription, providing you full access to all the services’ features. This gives you a hands-on experience during which you can evaluate and explore the service to see if it suits your needs.

You simply need to input your credit card details, and if during the trial you decide the service isn’t for you, you can cancel it without incurring any charges.

6. Audiobooks and Magazines

Another notable advantage is the availability of audiobooks and magazines. For many, audiobooks offer exceptional convenience, allowing you to enjoy literature without straining your eyes, even while resting. Most popular books have audiobook versions available on the platform.

For those of us who enjoy reading both books and magazines, it’s like killing two birds with one stone, eliminating the need for a separate magazine subscription. Most major magazines are available, so there’s a good chance your favorite will be on Kindle Unlimited.

Cons of Kindle Unlimited

Now, let’s explore the drawbacks of Kindle Unlimited and consider how it compares to its competition.

1. Newer Books Not Available

One common user complaint is that newly released books are not immediately available on the platform. This is often because authors, especially renowned ones, earn more from selling physical copies than offering their work on platforms like Kindle Unlimited, which generally have a lower profit margin.

Typically, once a book’s initial lucrative phase has passed, it becomes available on Kindle Unlimited. Therefore, you might need to wait a while before accessing newly released titles.

2. Unpolished Books Uploaded

Kindle Unlimited provides an opportunity for writers to self-publish. While this can help emerging authors, it also means there’s potential for encountering unpolished work. Without the support of a professional editor, self-published books may contain grammatical errors or unresolved plot points.

As a reader, you might find your time wasted if you invest in a story only to discover halfway through that it isn’t delivering the enjoyment a good book should.

3. Disparity Between Different Niches

Another observation during our testing was the variation in content availability across different genres. While there’s ample content for Romance, Comedy, and Women’s Fiction, Action, Crime, and Adventure genres seem to offer fewer options. Although books are available for all genres, the disparity might leave you feeling there are limited options for some niches.

Is Kindle Unlimited Worth It?

After weighing the pros and cons, you might have formed your own verdict. If you’re still undecided, here are scenarios where Kindle Unlimited could be worthwhile and others where it might not be:

↪ Worth It

• You read at least five books a month.
• You don’t limit yourself to a single genre.
• You enjoy discovering works by unknown authors.
• You’re willing to wait before reading newly released books.
• You appreciate audiobooks (but not necessarily).

↪ Not Worth It

• You’re an infrequent reader.
• You don’t enjoy reading from varied genres.
• You only want to read well-known books (which are often available for free online).
• You prefer to read books as soon as they’re launched (Buying a physical copy could be a better choice).