If you opened the Kindle app this week and wondered where Kindle Unlimited went, you're not imagining it. Amazon renamed Kindle Unlimited to Kindle+ on October 22, 2026, and the bigger news is tucked under the new name: thousands more audiobooks are now included in the subscription.
I'll be honest: I have Kindle+, and I'd been thinking about letting it go. I have so many physical and Kindle books I already own waiting on my TBR. But now that audiobooks are included, I'm staying. I love having an audiobook going, and listening just a bit sped up actually helps me get through my TBR.
So here's what changed, what stayed the same, and the one thing to check before you press play on any Kindle+ audiobook.
What is Kindle+?
Kindle+ is the new name for Kindle Unlimited, Amazon's monthly subscription for borrowing ebooks, audiobooks, comics, manga, and magazines. Amazon says the new name better reflects a catalog that now includes audiobooks, not just ebooks.
What changed, and what stayed the same?
The reading side barely changed: same price, same 20-book limit, same apps, same ebook catalog. The real change is audio, with thousands more audiobooks now included for US subscribers at no extra cost.
| Kindle Unlimited | Kindle+ | |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $11.99 a month | $11.99 a month |
| Borrow limit | 20 titles at a time | 20 titles at a time |
| Due dates | None | None |
| Audiobooks | Some included | Thousands more included |
| AI-narrated audio | Not included | Virtual Voice titles now included |
Good to know: audiobook listening launched in the US first. Amazon says more countries are coming, but it hasn't shared a timeline.
Do existing Kindle Unlimited members need to do anything?
No, you don't need to do anything. Amazon says your reading history, bookmarks, notes, and saved titles all carry over to Kindle+ automatically.
You'll probably see both names floating around for a while. A lot of authors and book newsletters are writing "Kindle Unlimited (now Kindle+)" during the switch, so it's the same subscription either way.
Which audiobooks are included in Kindle+?
A big share of the new audio is coming from authors who publish through Amazon's KDP Select program, which is where so much indie romance and romantasy already lives. That pool includes human-narrated audiobooks made through Audible's ACX and AI-narrated audiobooks made with Amazon's Virtual Voice tool.
Here's the detail that matters for listeners. When an author enrolls their ebook in KDP Select, its Virtual Voice audiobook is added to Kindle+ automatically. Human-narrated ACX audiobooks can be added too, but only if they meet Amazon's requirements, including being exclusive to Audible.
That means the "thousands of audiobooks" headline puts two very different listening experiences under one badge. In romance and romantasy especially, narration carries a lot: the banter timing, the different character voices, and the swoony moments.
How can you tell if a Kindle+ audiobook is human or AI narrated?
The headphone icon next to the Kindle+ logo only tells you a book has audio, not who (or what) is reading it. On the book page, look for a "Preview Virtual Voice" button, because that means the audiobook is AI-narrated.
Can you switch between reading and listening on Kindle+?
Yes, for books that include a companion audiobook. Amazon says thousands of Kindle+ ebooks have one, so you can switch between reading and listening to the same book at no extra cost, or use Immersive Reading to read along while it plays.
I read on the couch in the evenings and listen in the car, so if you split your reading like that too, this is the feature to look for when you're browsing.
Is Kindle+ included with Prime or Audible?
No, Kindle+ is a separate monthly subscription and isn't bundled with Prime or Audible. Prime members do get a free book each month through Amazon First Reads and can browse a smaller, curated selection of the Kindle+ catalog.
If you mostly want big traditionally published audiobooks or full-cast productions, Audible or your library's Libby app may still be the better fit.
Is Kindle+ worth it?
Kindle+ is worth it if you read a lot of indie romance, romantasy, and binge-able series, since that's where the KDP Select catalog is strongest and where much of the new audio is landing. It's a harder sell if you mostly chase new traditionally published releases or you don't want to sort through AI-narrated titles.
How do you try Kindle+?
Head to the Kindle+ page on Amazon to see whether you qualify for a free trial. Then look for the Kindle+ badge and the "Read for Free" button on book pages, and know you can cancel anytime.
Finished your first Kindle+ borrow?
Capture how it went with After the Final Page, my free one-page reading reflection. There's room for the mood, the tropes, the chemistry, the plot twists, your favorite quote, and everything else a star rating can't hold.
Kindle+ FAQ
Here are quick answers to the questions that come up most about the switch. If yours isn't here, ask it in the comments.
Is Kindle Unlimited going away?
Not exactly. Kindle Unlimited was renamed Kindle+, so it's the same subscription with a new name and more audiobooks.
Do I need a Kindle to use Kindle+?
No. You can read or listen in the free Kindle app on your phone, tablet, or computer, as well as on any Kindle device.
What happens to my books if I cancel Kindle+?
You keep access until your next billing date, and then your Kindle+ borrows go away. Amazon doesn't refund subscription fees you've already paid.
So, are you a reader, a listener, or a switcher?
I'm curious how you'll actually use Kindle+. Are you sticking to ebooks, saving the audiobooks for the car, or planning to switch back and forth? Tell me in the comments.
If you're new to Kindle+, start with the narrator check. It's the easiest way to make sure your first audiobook is a good one.
Not sure what to borrow first? Take the free TBR Matchmaker quiz or browse books by reading mood , then check whether your pick is in Kindle+.
Happy reading!
Details verified October 23, 2026, from Amazon's official Kindle+ FAQ and Amazon's KDP announcement. Amazon may change the catalog and audiobook rollout over time.
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