What Is Amazon Prime Reading and How Does It Compare to Kindle Unlimited?

If you’re a book lover with an Amazon Prime membership, don’t overlook Prime Reading. Unlike Kindle Unlimited, which is Amazon’s other reading program, Prime Reading is included in your membership fee ($139 per year or $14.99 per month).

Review our Prime Reading guide to make sure you’re getting the most out of your Prime membership — then clear your calendar to find your next read.

What is Amazon Prime Reading?

Amazon Prime Reading is a perk for Prime members that gives you access to ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, comics and more. The selection changes often, with new titles added and others removed.

Prime reading also includes Audible Narration, so you can choose to read or listen to certain books. To see what you've borrowed, go to the Prime Reading homepage and click View My Library.

Each month, Prime Reading users also get one free pre-release from the editors’ lists as part of the First Reads program.

» MORE: Other member benefits include Amazon Prime Gaming and Amazon Prime Music

How do I access Prime Reading?

To use Prime Reading in the Amazon app, type “prime reading” in the search bar and tap the blue Prime Reading logo at the top. This takes you to the main page where you can browse titles and see your downloads.

If you’re on a web browser, go straight to the Prime Reading homepage. There you'll find the current catalog and a link to manage what you’ve borrowed. Just make sure you’re signed in to your Prime account to get full access.

How do I borrow an item from Prime Reading?

Anything you borrow is available in the free Kindle app, which works on Apple and Android devices. Here’s how to borrow a title:

From the Amazon app or a mobile browser: Tap the item on your screen and choose “Add to Library” or “Download Sample.” If you pick “Download Sample,” tap “Read Now” to open the Kindle app and see it in your library.

From a desktop browser: Click the item's image and choose “Read Sample” or “Add to Library.”

Is Amazon Prime Reading the same as Kindle Unlimited?

Prime Reading and Kindle Unlimited are two different services, and the biggest difference is cost. Prime Reading is included with a Prime membership, while Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month — even for Prime Members.

The libraries also differ in size. Prime Reading has about 3,000 titles that change often, while Kindle Unlimited offers more than five million.

Borrowing limits are another difference. Prime Reading doesn't list a limit right now, though it used to be 10 items. Kindle Unlimited lets you borrow up to 20 at a time.

Digital magazines are part of both programs and do not count as one of the 20 items Kindle Unlimited users can borrow at once.

Prime Reading vs. Kindle Unlimited

What happens if I cancel my Prime Membership?

If you cancel your Prime membership, you lose access to all of the content you borrowed. All items will be returned automatically.

Is Prime Reading worth it for you?

If you’re already a Prime member, Prime Reading is a free way to explore new authors and genres.

Think of Prime Reading like a smaller version of your local library, with fewer books and popular titles. Using it along with your library can help you avoid long waitlists or paying for books, which saves money.

If you’re not a Prime member but find yourself buying lots of digital content on Amazon, Prime Reading could be a selling point for a Prime membership.

The average cost of a Kindle book is anywhere from $3.99 to $12.99. Buying one Kindle e-book every month for $12.99 would more than pay for an annual Prime membership.

With a Prime membership, you also get other ways to save money. These include free shipping, discounts on household items with Subscribe & Save, and free streaming for TV, movies and music.

Prime Reading does have some downsides, and the biggest one is its limited selection. It can be frustrating to search for an item and find it’s not available. Other drawbacks depend more on personal preference.

The app works fine, but it can't replace the experience of browsing in a local bookstore — and local bookstores have felt pressure from Amazon, a global giant that started as a virtual bookstore.

In some cases, paying more for a service may be worth it if it supports something you value. For example, buying a book from your local bookstore instead of getting it from Amazon helps keep those community spaces alive. If that matters to you, try to reflect it in your budget.