Prime Reading and Kindle Unlimited are both subscription services offered by Amazon that provide access to a wide range of digital books. While they share similarities, there are some important differences between the two.
1. Title Selection: Prime Reading offers a selection of around 1,000 titles that rotate periodically. These titles are curated by Amazon and include a mix of popular books, magazines, and comics. On the other hand, Kindle Unlimited boasts a much larger library of over 1,000,000 titles. It covers a wider range of genres and includes both popular and lesser-known books.
2. Access and Availability: With Prime Reading, you can access the available titles as long as you have an active Amazon Prime membership. This means you can read the books on any device that supports the Kindle app. In contrast, Kindle Unlimited requires a separate subscription, independent of Amazon Prime. However, like Prime Reading, you can still read the books on any device with the Kindle app.
3. Borrowing Limit: Prime Reading allows you to borrow up to 10 titles at a time, and there are no due dates. Once you reach the borrowing limit, you need to return a title before you can borrow another. Kindle Unlimited, on the other hand, allows you to have up to 10 titles in your library simultaneously, but there are no formal borrowing limits. You can keep the titles as long as you want, even after cancelling the subscription.
4. Audiobooks and Extras: Kindle Unlimited offers a larger selection of audiobooks compared to Prime Reading. Many Kindle books in the Kindle Unlimited library come with the option to add narration, allowing you to seamlessly switch between reading and listening. Additionally, Kindle Unlimited also includes some books with bonus features like author interviews or supplemental materials.
5. Cost: Prime Reading is included with a standard Amazon Prime membership, which costs $12.99 per month or $119 per year. This subscription also provides benefits like free shipping, streaming music, and access to Prime Video. Kindle Unlimited, on the other hand, has a standalone subscription cost of $9.99 per month. However, there are often promotional offers available for both services.
While Prime Reading and Kindle Unlimited offer access to digital books, Prime Reading has a smaller rotating selection available to Amazon Prime members, while Kindle Unlimited provides a much larger library with additional features. The choice between the two depends on your reading preferences, budget, and whether you already have an Amazon Prime membership.