InkskyIf you read more than a couple of books per month, an ebook subscription can save you serious money. The two biggest names — Kindle Unlimited and Kobo Plus — take very different approaches. Here is how they compare in 2026.
Pricing
| Plan | Kindle Unlimited | Kobo Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly (ebooks only) | $11.99 | $9.99 |
| Monthly (ebooks + audio) | N/A (Audible add-on) | $11.99 |
| Free trial | 30 days | 30 days |
Kobo Plus is cheaper by $2/month — $24/year. That adds up, especially if you also keep other subscriptions.
Catalog Size & Content
Kindle Unlimited claims over 4 million titles, but the Big 5 publishers are largely absent. The catalog skews heavily toward indie authors in romance, thrillers, sci-fi, and fantasy. If you read primarily genre fiction from independent authors, KU is unmatched.
Kobo Plus offers around 1.5 million titles with a more curated feel. You will find a better mix of mid-list and international titles, especially from Canadian and European publishers. It also has a read-to-earn model that pays authors by the minute read, which some authors prefer.
Audiobooks
Kindle Unlimited includes Audible narration on select titles for free — when you borrow a book with narration, the audiobook comes along automatically. It is seamless, but the catalog of narrated titles is a fraction of KU’s total.
Kobo Plus has a separate $11.99/month plan that covers both ebooks and audiobooks. The audiobook selection is smaller than Audible but growing steadily. Kobo devices with Bluetooth support playback directly on the e-reader.
Device Compatibility
| Device | Kindle Unlimited | Kobo Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Kindle e-readers | ✅ | ❌ |
| Kobo e-readers | ❌ (manual only) | ✅ |
| iOS / Android app | ✅ | ✅ |
| Boox / Android e-readers | ✅ (via app) | ✅ (via app) |
| Web reader | ✅ | ✅ |
The big limitation: each service works natively only on its own hardware. Kindle Unlimited is locked to Kindle devices and apps; Kobo Plus is locked to Kobo devices and apps. On Android-based e-readers like Boox, you can run either via the respective app.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Kindle Unlimited if: you already own a Kindle, read 3+ genre fiction books per month, and want the largest selection of indie titles. The catalog size alone makes it the best value for heavy genre readers.
Choose Kobo Plus if: you use a Kobo device, want to save $2/month, prefer a more curated selection, or value Kobo’s open-ecosystem approach with Libby integration and native EPUB support.
Still undecided on hardware? Start with our Kindle vs Kobo comparison to settle the device question first.