For all the voracious readers and those trying to form a reading habit, you might wonder how to access several books simultaneously without paying for each book. The average cost of a paperback is around $10 – $20 or ₹300 – ₹500, and if you plan on reading even 2 books a month, you could end up spending $20-$40 or ₹600 – ₹1000.
A good alternative is borrowing from your local library. But it could be a hassle to physically go to the library, borrow a certain number of books, remember the due date and return them accordingly, or else pay the late fees.
Another option that is popular among readers is the Kindle Unlimited subscription. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of the subscription and whether it’s worth it.
What is Kindle Unlimited?
Kindle Unlimited is a subscription service provided by Amazon for digital reading and audiobooks. The monthly subscription allows you to access a library of over 4 million books, magazines, comics and audiobooks. The user can borrow 20 books or materials at a time.
Do you need a Kindle to use Kindle Unlimited?
Although available on Kindle devices, you can download the Kindle app to your smartphone, laptop, or tablet, link it to your Amazon account, and access your downloaded eBooks from any of these devices.
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What is the cost of the subscription?
The current cost of the Kindle Unlimited subscription in the USA is $11.99 monthly. In India, it is at ₹199 monthly.
- At times, the subscription is offered at a discounted price. Like ₹169 per month or ₹99 for 3 months.
- If you are a new member or have not used the Kindle Unlimited subscription for over a year, you are eligible for a free 30-day trial.
What kind of books does Kindle Unlimited have?
Browsing through the Kindle app catalogue, you will find books from several genres ranging from literature and fiction to sciences, technology and medicine.
The subscription houses classics like 1984 by George Orwell, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle; modern classics like the Harry Potter series; self-help and non-fiction books; and a range of romance novels, some made popular by TikTok and Instagram.
Kindle Unlimited benefits
- Virtual library – The subscription is similar to a library in that it has a large collection of books, magazines, and comics from which to choose. You can borrow a limited number of books at a time and return them as and when you are done reading them. You can then borrow another book upon returning one from your borrowed collection.
- Cross-platform usage – You can use the Kindle app on multiple devices at a time and access your downloaded books even when you don’t have an internet connection. However, you need an internet connection to download the book to your Kindle app library.
Kindle Unlimited drawbacks
- Not all books – Even though the Kindle Unlimited library hosts 4 million books, it is possible that you might not find the one you are looking for.
- Difficult to search – The app interface makes searching for specific books and authors difficult. There is no search bar where you can type in the book’s name or author. However, you can browse the catalogue and add filters like genre/department, reviews, etc. You can search for the book on Amazon and see if a Kindle Unlimited version is available.
- You don’t really own them: As is with most of the things digital, including streaming platforms, you don’t own the content (books, in this case). Amazon controls what stays and goes on the Kindle store.
Is Kindle Unlimited worth it?
It all comes down to your usage. If you read several books a month and are open to newer books and authors, you will find the Kindle Unlimited subscription worth a try at least.
However, if you are looking for specific books and don’t read as frequently, the subscription might not suit your needs. It might be expensive to pay a recurring monthly fee if you read less than 2 books a month.
We suggest you opt for the 30-day free trial to test your usage and the type of books the subscription offers before you purchase the plan.
Also read: How to export highlights from Kindle?
Thanks! Useful info!