Kindle Unlimited and Prime Reading are both Amazon services that give those who have paid for them access to e-books. If we are talking purely monetary terms, Kindle Unlimited is cheaper than Prime Reading. However, Prime Reading does come with other perks beyond just books and so, if you really think deeply about it, it may be cheaper than Kindle Unlimited. So, it all depends on individual preferences. If your major priority is reading books, then Kindle Unlimited is cheaper and better than Prime Reading.
The Similarities between Kindle Unlimited and Prime Reading
If you are a person that loves reading, then what we are talking about is for you. Kindle Unlimted and Prime Reading are Amazon services that allow users to read far and wide. It gives them access to not just books but also magazines, newspapers, etc.
At the core of their essence is to ensure that heavy readers are never at a place where they don’t have what to read. As such, it wouldn’t be too wrong for one to assert that Kindle Unlimited and Prime Reading are essentially the same.
Kindle Unlimited Vs Prime Reading
| Feature | Kindle Unlimited | Prime Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription Cost | $11.99 per month | Included with Amazon Prime membership ($14.99/month or $139/year) |
| Library Size | Over 4 million titles, including e-books, audiobooks, magazines, and comics | Approximately 1,000 rotating titles, including e-books, magazines, and comics |
| Borrowing Limit | Up to 20 titles at a time | Up to 10 titles at a time |
| Audiobooks | Access to a vast selection of audiobooks | Limited selection of audiobooks |
| Exclusive Content | Includes exclusive titles and early releases | Limited exclusive content |
| Access | Available to all users; Amazon Prime membership not required | Requires an Amazon Prime membership |
| Device Compatibility | Accessible on Kindle devices and the Kindle app for iOS, Android, and other platforms | Accessible on Kindle devices and the Kindle app for iOS, Android, and other platforms |
How Kindle Unlimited Functions
To get Kindle Unlimited, you will have to log in to Amazon with your account. Make your way to Kindle Store and click on Kindle Unlimited. Afterward, click “Join Kindle Unlimited”, follow the prompt, and provide the needed information. You’ll get a 30-day free trial, after which you will be billed $9.99 per month until you cancel your subscription which you can do anytime you want.
Although the Kindle Unlimited service is at the moment, only available to US customers on Amazon.com; Readers in countries like the UK, Australia, Germany, Canada, France, Mexico, Italy, Brazil, Spain, Japan, India, and China can also sign up for it in their local Amazon marketplace.
With Kindle Unlimited, people can read millions of books and listen to thousands of audiobooks. The service also comes with magazine subscriptions. So, you do not need to pay again to have access to that magazine.
Now Let’s Look at Prime Reading
To enjoy the Prime Reading service, one has to be subscribed to the Amazon Prime service which amongst other things, features free delivery, ad-free songs from Amazon Music, movies, and TV shows. It also features a 30-day free trial after which you will be charged $12.99 monthly.
To read any of the books available, all you have to do is log into your Amazon account and then visit www.amazon.com/primereading. There, you can browse through the titles that are available and click on “Read for Free” for any that appeals to you. For books that have audible narration, click on “Read and Listen for Free”.
Books, magazines, and newspapers are also what you will get with Prime Reading. However, the number is much fewer than Kindle Unlimited. But one good thing is that they rotate what they offer; bringing in new titles and taking out old ones.
Price Comparison
If you take things at face value, the simple answer is that Kindle Unlimited is cheaper than Prime Reading. Why is this? To sign up for the former you need to cough out $9.99 each month. For the latter, you need $12.99.
But don’t forget that Prime Reading is just part of the Amazon Prime package so you get so many other things and not just books. You also get music, movies, etc. When you put all this together, Prime Reading now appears to be cheaper but once again remember that it does not have as many books, newspapers, and magazines as Kindle.
So, it will depend on the individual. If you don’t just want books but also music, movies, etc. then you will feel that Prime Reading is cheaper. However, if books are your drug of choice and you want to be able to access a vast library, you will feel that Kindle Unlimited is the cheaper of the two.
Which is Better?
If reading is something you love so much, then you will find that Kindle Unlimited is better than Prime Reading. However, if you want books, music, movies, etc. then you may find that Prime Reading is better.
As we have said before, it all depends on your appetite for books and what you think of other packages that come with having an Amazon Prime subscription.
While Kindle Unlimited will only grant you access to millions of e-books, Amazon Prime through its Prime Reading provision; grants one access to thousands of books. In addition to that, Amazon Prime offers free delivery, over two million ad-free songs, and award-winning movies and TV shows.
So it all depends on you. To decide which is better, you can try the 30-day free trial for Kindle Unlimited and Amazon Prime.
